Amazing ''Overachieving'' products...your pick?


I have owned both expensive gear (and I do mean expensive) and ''budget'' gear. Many components are mind-boggling on a price-paid versus performance ratio. Three of my favorites are:

1. The Bedini clarifier. This gizmo just plain works. You may like - or not - the difference it makes on your cd's. In my case, it clears up a lot of fog. The cheapest upgrade to ALL my cd's.

2. The Cayin TA-30 integrated amplifier . So much performance and flexibility for so little money. Put it up against anything up to 3 times the price, musically and from a build-quality perspective. Just plain amazing.

3. The Apple i-Pod Mini. Yes, even from in an audiophile application, playing cd's (not downloaded MP3's). You can snob it but you cannot ignore it.

What are YOUR picks ?
sonicbeauty
Magnepan 1.x speakers, Apogee stages, Conrad Johnson electronic (the lower priced stuff), Kimber PBJ and 8TC, Sony 5400es
Yamaha CD-S1000, simply the cleanest cdp I've auditioned, and that was compared to many others including the Quad 66 modded, Quad 67, Quad 99 (I really feel this cdp was a step backwards), Rega Saturn, Naim, NAD and the hyped Sony PlayStation to begin. Separate cdp/dac combos using gold plated Monarchys and other dacs, still no comparison to this unassuming S1000.
Castle Knight 1 @ $399. Hands down the best thing I have heard under $1000.
Oyaide QAC212 interconnects. Have both of these components in my 'side' system. Doesn't leave me wanting for much considering what i've spent on my main system.