Good Stuff Cheap


I thought maybe a thread like this may be useful. How about a listing of equipment that's cheap and performs WAY beyond expectations. To qualify, the item must be under $500 (new or used)for an electronic component and under $100 for wire. Try to include comparisons to other equipment.

I'll start off with the Musical Fidelity X-Can Version 2.0. Not as a headphone amp but as a pre-amp! I was noticing that some headphone amps can double as a pre-amp and the X-Can sounded pretty good thru my cans so I went to Radio Shack, got an adapter and ran the headphone output into the rest of my system.

Oh my! Detail, warmth, dynamics and musicallity like you read about. All for $250....NEW! Replacing the standard wall wart with the MF outboard power supply ($195)tightened things up even further. Looks funky with the "alien rectal probe" coming out the front, cables attached. It only has one input, but man does it sound good! As good as my Transcendance & Rogue 66.
1953
A power cord for AC, now long discontinued, the Tiffany TPC-60. Came with Hubbell clam shell three pin wall plug and Hubbell IEC . The last of these I bought, I found by running a want ad at Audiogon and other audio sites. I paid $75.00 each for the ones that were offered. This power cable is as clean as an Audioquest, and nearly as warm as Purist. It is not the ultimate in resolution, but has excellent mid bass and good deep base. The highs are faulty only by omission (rather than hash), and has good depth and a wide soundstage. Certainly a bargain at $75.00.
There is a guy named Matt Kim who sells DIY ICs, digital and power cables. His stuff is really great for what he charges. He always has dutch auctions
I'd nominate the Syn. Res. Master Coupler at a used price of about $150 to $180. Right now I see there are a LOT of them for sale here on Agon. But what that tells me is that it is an extremely popular power cord with many "out there". I use them on all my components. Craig
I can also recommend Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 pre-amp that can sometimes be found used for under $500.-- good features and excellent sound quality. I used one for years, and then sold it for $475. here on Agon. Craig