What Equipment Remains In Your System Long Term?



Reading through the various discussion forums, I see that Audiogoners value the constituent pieces that make up their systems differently. For example, some may be fond of a powerful set of monoblock amps that up the cornerstone of their system for many years. They will go through many combinations of associated equipment while never contemplating changing their beloved amps. Others take the same approach with a favorite set of speakers. I usually build my system around my current speakers, though in recent years I have acquired a set of BEL 1001 amps that I feel will be around for a long time. What criteria do you use to decide what equipment remains a long term resident in your system?

Fernando
128x128fgm4275
My trusty JVC 1050 zn CD player highly praised by the Absolute Sound in 1990 and rightly so. Used as a transport. There may be much better, I'm sure, but with my Bel Canto DAC 1.1 I am satisfied enough until I can get over the fact that I am going to have to dig deep to best this combo by a substantial enough margin to bite the bullet.
My Linn is from 1980. I suppose it is a little like the farmer with his 23 year old hoe. He changed the handle 8 times and the blade 5 times. I changed the arm twice and added all the other tricks. But my new cartrige every four years really keeps the thrills coming. Then there is my coal fired amp...
My Musical Fidelity headphone amp & Sennheiser headphones.This combination has shown up my speaker system a long way along, though I think it has gotten a lot closer in the past year to something like equal sonics.
My Infinity RS 1-B's. I have had them for 20 years and they still sound quite good.
I recently added an Acoustic Research 202 to my system.
Purists will hate it because it interferes with the EQ'ing similar to a loudness button, but I have found (as have several reviews, including Stereophile's) that it is a welcome bonus to any system adding a more 3d/holographic sound to everything.
I now have one running in my car as well.