Great thread idea and right up my ally.... because I can only afford budget gear.
Agree or disagree... these budget components have impressed me at different times in my many years in hifi audio.
Magnepan MMGs- $599 The best high end starting place
Bluesound Node and Vault- Each for less than $500 and $1000- Great streamer and storage for CDs
Schiit Bifrost 2 and Freya Plus $600 and $700- These guys make hifi affordable
Vandersteen 2CE Sig II $2300- A wonderful and refined budget speaker
Parasound A21 $1700- Muscle and finesse for at a price that can be reached
Line Magnetic 216 integrated tube amp $1950- Got me started on tubes- cannot go back now
Tekton Double Impact SE $4200- Incredible powerhouse speaker can be driven with 28 watts!!
Sony XA20ES CD player $400- Best vintage CD spinner I could ask for