what are your top "audio bargins" in your system history?

Lovely Thread, this is news I can use. I like my Mapleshade Speaker Wire, They don't look like much but for the money they out perform everything I have tried in the (lower) price range. I added some cheap bananas and I use them with my SS/ Harbeth 30.1.

Thorens TD150 mkII turntable - a gift when my brother was cleaning out his garage.

AR turntable - bought used for $50 in 1980

Wharfedale Diamond 12.0 bookshelf speakers - the overall capability of these speakers would have been unheard of at this price point only a few years ago.

Chord QuteHD dac - bought used, when combined with MCRU linear power supply, this is the biggest single performance/price bargain I’ve found yet.

no one ever gifted me anything nor I inherited a penny. It looks like money goes to money - in hifi as well 

The following bargains were found at thrift stores or garage sales:

Marantz 2235B receiver, $10

Pioneer SA-1000 integrated amplifier, $10

Soundcraftsmen 2640TX speaker, $6

Technics SL-1200M3D turntable, $12

Pioneer HPM-100 speakers (near mint pair), $125

TARA Labs Space and Time speaker cables (two 8-feet pairs), $8

I have other cheap finds,  but these stand out.

The 1986 classic Croft Micro phono preamp for £150. Blew away a stack of Naim gear. Rolled in some Dynaco Telefunken 12AX7s and a Brimar black plate CV5042 and it drove my system for years.