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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
tracer
102 posts
 
System Audio Speakers-any of them.I own the 950 mini towers,as a second set.(Primary speakers are Alon II).
If you are objective you have to admit that Audio is a business of diminishing returns like no other.
tracer
tswhitsel
126 posts
 
Classe 70 amp. Very musical, beautifully built, and will drive all but the most demanding loads. Usually goes for around $500.
1953 OP
140 posts
 
Well, I was going to add the Forte 1a amp to the list but somebody beat me to it! The Paradigm Studio 20 speaker is wonderful for the money and can be fetched for around $300-400 for the pair. On the wire side of the equation, good old Audioquest Midnight speaker cabling can be had for under $100 for short lengths and the Wire World Aurora power cord will slide in under $100 for a 2M length.
1953 OP
140 posts
 
I'm on a roll now. The Vandersteen 2W sub ~$500. For front end stuff : Cal Icon MKII CD player, Pioneer DV-05 DVD/DAD/CD player and Sota Comet table - all for under $500 each.
ramstl
342 posts
 
I'll have to second the Classe' 70. For the used price you can't find another that is close.

Also, DIY inter-connects. I order whatever I feel like trying from Parts Connection and solder away. Usually, after they burn in they sound fine. Presently, I've been using a copper/silver/teflon, braided to WBT knock off. It cost me maybe $40 or less for 2-1 meter pairs. They have all kinds of cable and you can even make your own home brew- Cardis.

Grado Headphone amp=$300.00
Grado RS2 Headphones=$495.00

Handmade sandbox for my Well Tempered Record Player. (Which also isolates the motor). My cost was $00.00. I had an old 1/2" cabinet that I cut up and assembled at a friend's shop. It took me 1.5 to 2 hour. After I painted it, bought some foam insulation strip and filled it with sand the total cost was maybe $15.00 to $20.00.

Blank CDR's to back up mastered live music. .60 a piece and going down.

Used Rega Planet.

Used albums!!!!!

Properly set up room!!!!!

Late night with the lights out!!!!
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