Best or most profound sleeper product

Any older Naim gear - 32.5, 72, NAP 110, 140, 180. Not very expensive, will run until the next ice age, very musical, especially for the dollar outlay. Does not want or need expensive interconnect and/or speaker cable. These pieces reward a good source, yet tend to accomodate a weaker source as well. Also, any speaker in the Energy Conisseur (spelling???) line - outstanding value.

I can start with the $89 Aiwa XC-30M, XC-35M, or XC-37M Five Disc CD Changer used as a transport for any DAC with a Delta-Sigma design. The MSB Link DAC is a Delta Sigma DAC, so if you pick up a Link DAC-1 for $150 used, you can have a nice setup with the Aiwa for under $300 (including the digital cable). Put a 5 pound bag of sand or lead shot on top of the Aiwa as a tweek and maybe some vibrapods (another sleeper at $6 each) New Aiwa's are available on eBay for around $55 usually.

The $250 B&W DM302 speakers fits the bill also.

For preamps, the Conrad Johnson PV-10 mentioned above, along with the Blue Circle BC21.

For amps, I have being playing around with Blue Circle's new "entry level" CS power amp for a couple weeks in my home office/den system. If you don't need the extra power, this little amp does not give up much to the BC22 that cost $1000 more. Adding the BC62 power cord to the CS takes it to another level. (I guess I should post a review of it!)

For cheap cables, I really like Stu Wein's MAS Black and MAS Grey at $50 and $85 a meter pair respectively (new). Right above Stu's are the Millersound cables.

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!

One of 2 post-digital processors: Margules ADE-24, or Taddeo Digital Antidote (Active or Passive).

The Margules is built in a cheap plastic case, and does wonders for inexpensive digital front ends (CD, DVD, or Laserdisc). It takes the analog outs post-DAC.

Same concept with the Taddeo. The Active version is more expensive, about $1k list, but I've bought one used, and seen another one for around $500. This thing is AMAZING, even using the output of my (no longer owned) Sony SCD-777ES playinf SACD's !

There is a new version of the Antidote II, a Passive model for all of $99. Female RCA inputs, a small box, and small "tails" with male RCA's, so no extra cable required. Haven't compared these in my main system to the Active version, but the Passive makes a hell of a difference with output from a Sony Discman, and one of 3 DVD's I have (Pioneer, Apex, and Panasonic).

All thes units bring a focuse to the sound, adding clarity, and allowing me to hear more of the music so it seems.

The Margules is under $200. As mentioned the Taddeo's range from $99 Passive to (list) $1k active (street price less if you can find them used).

My LOOOOOOOOONG 2 cents. Sorry if I bored.

Todd.

I'll second the B&W 302's...decent sound for very little $, good for den or multi-room