I agree with a previous contributor, McCormack's Micro Line Drive is an awesome product--and not just at the mid-line price point. It betters all preamps I've heard in the $2000 price range. It may not be the last word in transparency but it betters everything I've heard in pace, punch, and sheer musicality--when used in the ACTIVE mode. It just sounds right!
Best or most profound sleeper product
As with wine, I think that price certainly does not guarantee quality. Oddly, many people in this hobby refer to their equipment by its' price in the same manner that people will refer to " a hundred dollar bottle of wine." I have had many wines that were less that $20 that were pure joy. I think that the same must be true in this hobby. An example: used Pioneer PD-65, $300 for a good transport or Conrad J pv-10. For the benefit of other newbies (like myself), please list the 'sleepers' that you have found. Cheers
Martin
Martin