An audio component you just can't let go

Some good responses so far and some interesting ones too!

I recently moved and was faced with downsizing my equipment.

A few pieces I decided to hold on to even though it's no longer in use are:

Audio Valve Eclipse pre and Challenger mono amps: The Eclipse preamp chassis is made of stainless steel (similar to Shindo) and weighs over 40 lbs. It sounds amazing, very quiet, and has one of the best bass of any tube pre I've heard. This is a German brand that never sold well in the U.S. despite having prices that I consider low for their level of quality. With the recent passing of their owner, Helmut, the company has gone with him.

 vintage Studer A-810 reel to reel: this is a highly regarded tape machine that I was able to obtain from a home studio, it's in excellent condition with original box and packaging (rare to see). Went through so much trouble to get the old electronics inside overhauled that I don't see ever letting it go.

@scar972

I hear you and I would do the same. I still regret selling my Shindo Monbrison preamp from Ken Shindo era. Four years later, I am still searching for mint condition Monbrison preamp. Speaking of stainless steel chassis, THÖRESS comes to mind. I am so tempted to pick up their phono enhancer.

@lalitk Shindo has always intrigued me but have never had a chance to listen. I’ve been to quite a few shows but Shindo is not something you commonly find there. Would like to have a listen some day .

I have a Carver system I’m my office, cannot sell.

I've got and old Audio Research VT130 amp that was kind of "thrown in" on a purchase I made some years ago. It had a blown screening resistor (that kept blowing thanks to a failing 12BH7 tube that tested OK) I replaced a number of resistors and bought a matched tube set for it from ARC ($2100 GULP). The 'ol girl just sounds so warm and sweet with such a silent black background that I just keep finding "second location" systems to include it in. For now it's job is to make a pair of Maggie 2.7s sing in my small office. It doubles as a space heater in the winter and smells wonderful when it's warmed up. 

I suppose it's true romance.