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What has been your most satisfying component?

I don't think I have seen this question asked so here it goes. Many of us tend to buy and sell looking for the ideal, the holy grail, what works best in the current system, or whatever.
What component (or components)have stood the test of time in your system? I've been through quite a few but some have stayed despite having bought their replacements and subsequently selling them. I'll share once we get a few posts to get things going.
nutella
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
I have two. The audio refinement complete. I've managed to own it five different times. I've sold and rebought. I think I'm sticking with it now. Even if I choose to go with another amplifier.

The second one is a mint condition 1978 Yamaha T-1 tuner. I bought it about six years ago and is the only piece of gear I've ever had for more than a year. I don't see it going anywhere. I have owned a couple other tuners, but the T-1 stays around.
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jimmdavis
63 posts
 
Audio Research LS-3 preamp...
solid, transparent, performs well w/ SS or tube gear.
french_fries
815 posts
 
The JRDG Consonance preamp w/phono- for approximately $3500 with the line-stage upgrade and sorbothane treatment which came a bit later (stereophile never acknowleged the new mod even though they gave a very favorable review to the original preamp). a very quiet/great sounding AND inexpensive mm/mc phono stage ($300) which i never felt the need to replace, was included. AND, with the new line-stage module ($450) there was easily a 25% improvement in the transparency of the piece. even after experimenting with some fancier preamps much later on, there was improvement in some areas, but the Consonance still sounded great. i see these going for $1000 on audiogon and i just have to smile a little- this was THE FIRST REMOTE CONTROL PREAMP ON THE HI-END MARKET, and the remote is still one of the best i've seen (200 volume steps, one at a time or 10 at a time), a big chunk of metal with phase, record out switching, mono, virtually everything is on there. inside the preamp you can set input and output impedence, plus a whole lot more YOURSELF without tools or solder. IMHO it's pretty special.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Stood the test of time? That's pretty scary.
When looking at my current system I'm almost ashamed to admit that the only component that has been in my system for over two years is an original Shunyata Hydra.

So I guess I can't really say that anything has stood the test of time. I guess that's what happens when you combine my AADD with my OCD, you get AADDOCD. Hey, I'm what keeps AudiogoN in business (not to mention Fed Ex). :)

The bright side? I don't have to take photos and post links to my system. Since the photo and description would be obsolete before the 4-8 hour wait for moderator approval on a new post. :)

As for most satisfying component, I would say my ZYX UNIverse phono cartridge. I've had that almost 15 months (a lifetime for me), and I have no urge to upgrade (at this second). :)

John
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