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Your best ''outstanding'' products in last 5 yrs?

I have been reflecting on my biggest surprises and value-for-money purchases in the last 5 years - the ones that were truly impressive for the money, here are mine, and would like to find out about other maniac's choices! Stick to what you have actually purchased please! My top 5 (so far).

1. Yamaha AS2000 integrated amplifier.

Totally off the charts. This is an absolutely outstanding amplifier for the money - I cannot think of anything under $ 3,000.00 that is more refined, powerful, and full-featured all at once. Gracious looks and battleship build are a bonus.

2. Shanling MC-30 receiver.

It may look like a toy, but it sure isn't one. Wonderful musicality with a whopping 3 watts of power, sounds much more powerful than that. A steal at the price. Amp, cd, tuner, with the magic of tubes.

3. Yamaha AS1000 SACD player.

Only the second (along with the AS2000 amp) Yamaha component I have owned in my lifetime. Ridiculous price, amazing quality with the smoothest-operating load mechanism south of 5K. Someone told me that Yamaha's marketing mistake is that they should have invented a sister brand (like Pioneers TAD or Teac's Esoteric) for the AS series so that they could charge more. I agree, but in the meantine, the consumer wins.

4. Music Hall MMF-7 turntable.

No REGA or VPI bragging rights, but this is a BEAUTIFUL table worth every penny and more. Decoupled motor, classy acrylic plate, double-deck plinth, decent Pro-Ject tonearm, it just screams ''buy me''. Now updated to 7.1 - I listened to both, could not detect a sonic difference with the same cartrige.

5. Cambridge Audio combo of DacMagic and the new ID100 digital transport (check my review on this one). Roaming hundreds of free digital Web radio stations has become very enjoyable with not-too-shabby sound. Pocket change as far as audiophile budget goes for these 2 items.

Special mention to TT weights and their Classic model. Where else can you get a CNC-machined product from an avionics supplier for 60 bucks?

That's it for now - after mega-buck tube amps, cables, preamps and cd players - these top 5 are it for me, and have given me a break in my pocketbook with no regrets.

Let's hear your choices!
sonicbeauty
salectric
748 posts
 
The most satisfying additions during the last 5 years (in chronological order):

1. KT-77 E-Linear monoblocks (homemade)

2. Emotive Audio Custom Vita monoblocks

3. Homemade speakers using vintage components--Jensen P15LL woofers and Altec 802-8G compression drivers in 32A horn
jdub39
494 posts
 
Parasound halo A21,Morrow audio SP3 Biwire cables and MA3 xlr's, Loom of Ps Audio cables AC12-AC3, Soloist Premier in-wall conditioner,Boston Acoustics E100 mains,Oppo 95and Ps Audio Quintet have contributed to best sound Iv'e heard in 25 yrs!

Lovin Audio again!
bradluke0
163 posts
 
Hi all ! Actually in the last year I have purchased ( and just love ) the following : Ayon CD-2s ...this thing just plays so dynamic and musical , just unreal . Cary SLP-05 ...clean , clear and fast and great bass too ! Tekton Lore's .....have some $$$ for speakers but why ? I have posted probably waaay to many times about these speakers but crap , they make the speakers at the local hi-end store look silly .
sgr's avatar
sgr
689 posts
 
I have really made significant changes to my system in the last 5 years. The musicality and ease my system displays is breathtaking at times. The system excels at playing all types of music with aplomb. The system is just stupid good.

1. Sold my Revel Salons and upgraded to the Legacy Audio Helix speaker system. These speakers have all the finesse and qualities of the Salons and out do them across the spectrum. With the surface area that all 10 drivers contribute they have no limitation. These speakers have all the qualities of planar speakers like the Maggies (i owned 3.6s too) but out do them at every turn. They are steered by the Xilica XD 4080 digital crossover. They have built in 750 watt 15 inch subs and require 3 stereo amps to drive them. With 3500 watts per channel available, one never runs out of headroom. See amp below.
2. Sold all my Krell KSA 250s and MDA 500s and bought 3 Coda Technology CSX amps which bring 350 watts per channel to the party. These amps weigh only 65 lbs. compared to the Krells 150lbs, run cool to the touch after hours of play time, can be left on all the time, and are class A for the first 25 watts.
3. Sold my ARC Ref 3 and purchased the Coda CP preamp. In my system it easily bested both the Ref 3 and the Pass Labs XP 20. The key to these Legacy and Coda purchases having such synergy is that these are the same electronics that Bill Duddleston uses to voice the Helix. What a combo.
4. Sold my Levinson 31.5 and purchased a PS Audio PWT. I grew tired of he drama and mismanagement by Harman of the Levinson brand. The PWT sounded better than the 31.5, is upgradable, and can play HiRes files as well.
5. Sold my Levinson 30.6 and bought the PS Audio PWD and Bridge along with an iPad II. Upgrade the PWD to MK II status. The PS Audio equipment sounds much better than the Levinson stuff and computer audio is fun and sounds great too.
6. Purchased a PS Audio P-10 power supply. I have my entire front end plugged into this and it really made a significant difference to the system.
7. I wired my system with Signal Cable. I use the Silver Resolution interconnects, Ultra speaker cables, and both the Magic PCs and Magic Digital PCs. I've had very expensive Synergistic Research cables at 10 times the price at one time and the Signal Cables system out does the Synergistic system hands down without all the mysticism that the SR cables have today.
Who knows what the future will bring?
boisty
19 posts
 
Red Wine Audio Signature 15 Integrated. Remarkable little box for the $$....
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