Hidden GEMS

Rogue Audio,best of the small and stand firmly behind their products.

I think that Vandersteen Audio puts out a superior product for the money. I have owned 2CE's and 3A's in the past. I am sure that many of us have owned Vandersteens at some point. While better speakers certainly exist, I do not think that many offer as much in the price points that Vandersteen speakers cover. I also agree with Lev355 about Classe equipment.

Try Llanno amps at http://www.llanodesign.com/
There are not many for sale on the net...hmmm I wonder why? ;)

Stan Warren, Dan Wright, Stephen Sank. Give these guy's the right piece of gear and let them do their thing. Often costs a ton less than the gear it will successfully compete with.

I just got my Moscode 300 back from Steve after his max blowout rebuild. I'll put it up against anything anyone wants to bring on - in or out of it's class, Levinson, Krell, Classe, Boulder - I don't care - bring it on! It is that amazing. And I know I'm not saying that because I have so much invested in it - the total cost to purchase, rebuild, and ship it around was less than 2k.

Dunno what Stan Warren does to CD gear, but after hearing some of his work, I do know I don't need to spend alot to hear alot. Aiwa competing with Accuphase? Stan can do it.

I haven't heard anything by Dan Wright, but I don't see anything but praise for his work, either. So my bid for "hidden gems" would be these and similar superb craftsmen and the gear they produce.

chas

Monarchy amps have been very well received. The designer once worked at pass labs. They are all zero feedback class A designs that won't break the pocketbook. Check out the reviews at soundstage.com and audioreview.com.

OR

If you are in fact infected with the audiophile bug, save yourself the pain of shopping, buying, looking for something better and repeating the process time and time again. Go hear some Atmasphere OTL's (they begin with a 30 watt stereo model($2500+-) and then a 60 watt mono blocks($4600.00+-) and so forth. They are very powerful amps whose wattage belies their voltage and gain. You will save yourself years of shopping, loss of time, and things not associated with the enjoyment of music.