SOTA Sapphire w/MMT arm. I got it used in 1987. I've changed & upgraded & cross-graded everything else in my system more that a dozen times, but I've never felt the desire to change my SOTA. Still love it today, and I'm always excited to plunk down some vinyl, whether it's an old average pressing, or a pristine Mo-Fi pressing.
What's the best and/or favorite piece of equipment you've owned? And do you still own it?
My favorite piece(s) are (and I still own them) the Martin Logan Ethos lousdpeakers and Soudsmith Paua cartridge. As far as speakers go, electrostats are my favorite and will replace them with another set of electrostats. I'm currently eyeing MUR Audio SP1's. These two pieces make my rig sound great.
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Tandberg 1055 receiver from mid-70s, manufactured in Oslo, Norway, it was one of the top receivers of the day;Scandinavia's answer to McIntosh. Was still going strong when I had it fully overhauled and upgraded 6 years ago. Visually it is almost dead mint. It's powering my 2nd system. Love the looks, and its not embarrassed sonically by the higher end separates in my primary rig when I've installed it there. Its always had a place in my heart. |
I’ve owned a lot of different components from many companies in my life. So obviously they don’t count. Speaker-wise, I’m a Maggie Man through-and-through, but I’ve upgraded up the Maggie line a few times now, so I can’t count them either. I do have two old friends that I will never sell. A pair of McIntosh C-20 preamps. They’re both about 60 years old. I’ve owned them for almost 50 years. They both have been restored and upgraded twice. The last time by Don Sachs. I’ve had them tested and the specs now exceed the original specs by a nice margin. My C-20s are in a quadraphonic system. They Each sit just before the front and rear channel amps and are restricted to a line-level input coming into the Aux inputs, and then stright out to the amps. Basically, I use the C-20s for l-r balancing and volume control of each amp and to get that sweet tube sound they put out. This was in place long before the term “tube buffer” came into vogue. I still think they are the coolest looking preamps in the world IMHO and as I said, after almost 50 years together - they’re like two old friends. Tim |
After many years in audio and going through so much equipment, I can't say I miss any particular piece of equipment. My present setup is best I've had, I expect future changes will also be upgrades. At this point in my audio evolution I find I'm no longer nostalgic over past components. If I was to wax nostalgic about any one particular piece, it would probably be recalling the experience of hearing my CJ MV55 tube amp after many years of exclusively running SS amps. Twenty some years later, tube amps only for me. Also, still own the CJ amp, likely will never be used again as Its bettered by all my present tube amps. |
My favorite is my 833A single ended triode stereo monoblocks. I could never afford to buy manufactured ones ($350,000 for WAVAC and a "cheap $60,000 made in Poland.) I built my own with all the design features I want and could not count on getting if I could afford one from a manufacturer: polypropylene power supply filter capacitors in a pi network with the chokes on the negative side for grounding safety instead of inferior electrolytic caps, Hammond 1642SE output transformers good for 4kV carrying only 1kV at which by battery polarity reversal tests on the zero bias grid shows the same current change from the modest 20 ma plate current so I know it s respectably linear and which sounds spectacular, The Hammond transformer is good for 300 ma. This is a marriage made in Heaven for Magnepan speakers which are more than loud enough running the tubes so modestly and allow that SET sound without the need for complicated cones, cabinets, and crossover networks that are sensitive enough for less powerful tubes such as the 300B or the 45. I drive the 833A grids through Lundahl transformers with 45s and these with choke loaded mu follower 2C22s directly with no need for capacitors n the signal path. It took me over two years to perfect this system and I desire no other. |
HK 150 wpc integrated amp circa late ‘80s early 90s capable of +/- 80 amps instantaneous current. A real brute for then something shy of $900; Wall to Wall Sound if you’re old enough to recall and not to old to forget ;). Wish I still had it. Attempted one costly repair that didn’t last and moved on. Might have tried again if I would have considered dragging around a 40lb paperweight. Interesting seems as if mostly everyone’s favs are from yesteryear and not today’s new, improved, and much more costly. |
Pair of big Vandersteen 4 speakers from mid-'80s. Bought them used; they arrived on a semi-trailer that was too big to get in the driveway. Had to walk them 200 ft to the house w/dollies. These have built in subs, each one = 2 X 12" woofers connected via steel bar in push/pull configuration. The very flexible tri-wire system allowed use of SS on the subs & tubes on mids/treble, which is what I did. They're still the finest sound I ever heard from speakers. And they're still stored in a closet here in our 2nd house (moved in 1991, nowhere to put that big audio system). |
I bought a MC240 from a friend back in the 90’s. Was driving it from a Counterpoint SA 5.1 preamp. I sold them to buy a new Cary SLI-50 (which I still have and will never sell) Very much wish I had never sold them, should’ve kept them and bought the Cary as a 2nd. At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate what I had or what they were capable of. Was too young I guess. Got into tubes without due diligence, and didn’t understand how the tubes I had in the units were sub standard, old and generally not up to snuff. Fresh tubes all around and a recap of the MC240 would’ve changed everything. I have every intention of at a minimum getting another Counterpoint. One day... |
I love my Ocellia Calliope.21 Broadband loudspeakers. Both how they look and how they sound. If you don’t know these you can check em out right here https://youtu.be/4avuiiF3I2g |
I still long for my Philips 212 turntable with the green elevator buttons. However, it is the Naim Superuniti that has given me the most music and versatility. It now runs through a Primaluna HP amplifier that has added the missing tone and fullness that the Naim lacked. Pushing a pair of Focal Kanta 2 speakers. This rig will keep me happy for a long while. |
My pair of BEL 1001 power amps. As close to electronic perfection as I think possible. Whatever you put upstream you can hear exactly what it sounds like. Whatever you place downstream you know exactly what they sound like. As to the amps themselves? Neutral, transparent, nuanced, effortless, refined. I’ve owned BELs since the early 1990’s. I’ve never looked back, never thought there was better out there. |
justmetoo, your answer is a variant on mine, I believe. Imo, it takes many iterations of a system to attain the high synergy that you speak about. Yes, once that is attained, all the gear seems to be "favorite" pieces. It’s like the opposite of the question that is often posed, "What should I upgrade?" The fear is, "What would I potentially lose in an upgrade?" I have found over time that it is often detrimental to cling to one or two pieces, because usually, they can be bested by another product, and they can be the limiting factor in the system. One cannot know this by emotion, historical comparisons, or hearsay; they have to be compared with a new product to show the reality. Often, nostalgia blocks that, and so, the rig and experience does not improve by changing that particular piece. But, then again, it takes a LOT of iterations of systems to gain some certainty. |
My VTL 450MKII Amps. They are the best amp's I ever owned. Before the 450's, I used VTL 300 Deluxe MB's for many years. Owning the 300's gave me an opportunity to get to know the folks a VTL very well due to repairs and upgrades. The 450 have been trouble free since I got them 10 years ago. Since buying the 450's I've talked to VTL twice, a quick question over the phone and at CES. I purchased both pairs of VTL amps used, I could never afford new ones. VTL has always treated me as a valued customer. |
My favorite: Thiel CS2.2 amber wood speakers. My first true audiophile purchase in the 90's. I enjoyed listening to them for decades. Amps, pre-amps, and sources came and went, but the Thiel CS2.2 speakers were a constant. Just traded them in for about $500 less than I paid ~30 years ago. $500 / 30 years < penny per day listening cost. I upgraded to Thiel CS7.2 speakers, so no regrets. |
Fisher 500C Vintage Tube Receiver. Two on the shelf. Anytime I need to change, sell, fix tuner, preamp or amp, this baby comes out of retirement, keeps the system truly enjoyable until ____ is back in town. Pair of Vintage Fisher 80Z mono tube amps, pair and a spare on the shelf. Not going anywhere. my efficient speakers, I never needed anything more than 30 wpc, could probably go lower, just never tried. |
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There’s been tons and tons of fine equipment in my house over the years. The one that was the best, had a great sound stage, great rear facing baffles that just pounded out the bass, and was quick. The 1992 Ducati 888sps. Simply the sound from those desmo valves, yes all four of was wonderful. People could hear the sound from miles around. Dancing and shaking to that tight, responsive Italian bass. There will never be one like her. They stopped making her 1994, next came the 916 and no one was the same. Drag a knee an elbow too! |
I have owned a Basis 2800 Signature vacuum / Vector-3 for about 8 years now which is probably the longest period of time I have owned any audio component, however my latest aquisition is my true favorite; the ASL Wave 8 mono's I recently bought on eBay for $450.00. This is twice the price they cost when they were new and they are worth every cent! I was not even concerned that one of the amps arrived with a blown cathode resistor as I was already planning to completely gut them and rebuild them with all premium parts. $450.00 later, I now have a completely rebuilt pair of Wave 8 mono's ready for another 20 years of blissful listening. |
The company/name may be so long-ago and forgotten I couldn't find it on google (or is my memory faulty?), but the Transistronics Integrated I had prior to my Kenwood KW40 was definitely the worst piece of equipment I ever had. It was my first step-up from the fine-sounding Heathkit mono amp preamp combo I got from my dad. Did I get it from my uncle? In any case, gritty, dirty, trebly. I was a happy kid when Dad sprung for that Kenwood after we heard it at the hi-fi show. |
Being on the older side, I have a lot to choose from. Like many who have owned the QUAD ESL, they are number one. Then there is the unique Townshend Audio Rock Turntable, mine being the Elite/Mk.2 version. Mated to it is another keeper, the Zeta tonearm. Staying with English companies (yes, Max Townshend was an Australian, but Townshend Audio was---and remains---based in England), there is the equally unique London (formally Decca) phono pickups. I bought my first Decca in 1973, before many of ya'll were born. Already considered classics, my trio of Music Reference power amps (RM-9 MK.2, RM-10 Mk.2, RM-200 Mk.2) will remain in my music room until I die. Don't hold your breathe ;-) . Amongst Magneplanar enthusiasts, the Tympani T-IVa remains a favorite. I don't currently have a room big enough for my pair to be properly situated, so they are sitting in their original shipping cartons, waiting for the opportunity to once again sing.
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My Best- When I was in grad school I built a Dynaco PAS3x and a Dynaco 70 over a weekend. All worked. I set it up with an AR turntable, Two AR3 speakers, and a Scott FM Tuner and it sounded great! I mean great. That was in 1967. I used this set up, in different homes, for over 30 years. Never was I able to replicate the sound of that first room! I have since then used an array of "stuff" from lots of very high end companies and never as good as the original Dynaco set up. Today, I am stuck with intermittent internet radio and an array of gear that costs a fortune, but not as clear or musical as was the "Dynaco/AR" experience. However, it has been a fun voyage. Met a lot of nice people! But the glow of the tubes at night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I did have some favorites over the years. I had Boulder amps, Belles amps, McIntosh Amps, Quad amps- favorite were the Quad ESL 57s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had most of them at the same time in different rooms. I was so confused as to which sounded better! But nothing, nothing compared to the original "Dynaco/AR: set up! Oh BTW, "Dynaco" was the least expensive, of all, I ever bought, and a kit as well! The Dynaco amp was $89.00 and the PAS 3x was $119.00, plus tax , of course. Am I getting sad? NA!
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