You want obscure...
ASR - You may have heard of ASR because Stereophile did review their phono stage recently. But before this, their availability and press in the US was minimal. Their gear looks like Burmeister crossed with MBL. I heard their 150wpc integrated amp not long ago and it was some of the best solid state sound I have heard at any price. The ASR integrated amp sells for like 10k Euros.
A lot less obscure, but people do not realize how good these products are:
Krell KRC-HR preamp - Other preamps may be different... But getting objectively better I think is very difficult. This is the most resolving preamp I have ever heard, and people dump them at Audiogon for $2k to $3k.
Audio Logic 2400 DAC w/latest mods - Best dac I have heard under $10k or so. Not far behind the best dacs out there at any price.
Sony SCD-777es w/Superclock mods - Used as a CD or SACD player it is so-so. Used as a transport, it is simply AMAZING.
KF
ASR - You may have heard of ASR because Stereophile did review their phono stage recently. But before this, their availability and press in the US was minimal. Their gear looks like Burmeister crossed with MBL. I heard their 150wpc integrated amp not long ago and it was some of the best solid state sound I have heard at any price. The ASR integrated amp sells for like 10k Euros.
A lot less obscure, but people do not realize how good these products are:
Krell KRC-HR preamp - Other preamps may be different... But getting objectively better I think is very difficult. This is the most resolving preamp I have ever heard, and people dump them at Audiogon for $2k to $3k.
Audio Logic 2400 DAC w/latest mods - Best dac I have heard under $10k or so. Not far behind the best dacs out there at any price.
Sony SCD-777es w/Superclock mods - Used as a CD or SACD player it is so-so. Used as a transport, it is simply AMAZING.
KF