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.
Because i am in the S.Q. / lowest price ratio scale ...
And i succeed ...😁
But the more irreplaceable piece, with my Sansui alpha in second , are my AKG K340 hybrid headphone ...
Compared to them the good AKG K701 or the sextett K240 sound like relative trash , artificial in the K701 case , or lacking in realism with the better sextett ...( i keep them because if not compared to the K340 they seems acceptable headphone for movies etc )
But dont buy the K340 though ...😁
It takes me 6 months to figure out their design and how to optimize it and modify them for the best ...😁
It was the first hybrid and the really only true one till this day ...Kennerton say to me that it is too costly to research about this design and beat it and make a profit ...
Forget most headphones amplifier to drive them, i tried to upgrade my Sansui alpha headphone out for an acclaimed Berning ZOTL headphone dedicated amplifier ... It was ,except for the quieter noise floor of supremum quality , a disaster, because i loose the "out of the head holography and the timbre naturalness) synergy matter indeed nevermind how good an amplifier could be with other headphones ...
...They are more difficult to drive than the HE 6 ( two cells dynamic and electrostat of 400 ohms each with a sensitivity of 87 Db ) ... They ask for more than raw power but some reserve power . And well driven and optimized they give an "out of the head" soundfield and a natural timbre better than any headphones i listened to ... (9 headphones)
But beware "out of the box" they aged and must be modified ( 6 modifications and optimizations )
CD PLAYERS: Proceed PCD2, Rotel RCD855, Cambridge Audio Azur 840C, Audio Alchemy DDS Pro
TUNERS: Meridian 504, Sansui TU717, Pioneer TX9800, PS Audio ST1, Perreaux TU-1, NAD 4300, NEC T710, Dyna FM3, Creek CAS 3140, Sumo Charlie
RECEIVERS: HK 330C, Tandberg 3030
CASSETTE DECKS: Nakamichi DR2 & BX125, Kyocera D811, HK TD392
SPEAKERS: ProAc Studio 1’s, Paisley Research AE500’s, Focal Chorus 807V, Tannoy 635/D90, Omega Grande 8’s & Super 3XRS, Monitor Audio R700 MD, Linn Helix LS150, RFT B150, Chateau Research 1.5’s, Rauna Tyr II
Sorry that I can’t narrow it down to just one or two things. I’ve enjoyed this 40 year journey way too much :)
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.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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.
My Klipsch Epic CF 4 speakers. I've had many very nice speakers and they are more dynamic and transparent than any of the 19 I've owned, including Klipschorns. Fourteen years and counting
Sota star sapphire 1992 cocobolo Still beautiful. Audio research sp -9 Mk III ear opener to dynamics,stoundstaging and imaging. Other components have come and gone but these are my foundations to what I think music should sound like.
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.
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.
For me it would have to be my Kef 104.2s and my Ayre CX-7e red book CD player. After almost 20 years, I'm gonna send it back to Ayre for a 'tune up and lube", that's how much I enjoy the sound form this piece.
The oldest unit I have is Sony CD707ESD purchased 1990 still use with Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC. The second oldest is Mondial Designs Aragon 8008BB amplifier purchased in 1996 still in use with some tweaks love it.
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.
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.
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.
Still have ARC GS150 amplifier (which I love), McIntosh C22 (recent issue), custom speakers made by Rudy Bozak for my father, and I do not know their age.
Thanks for the opportunity to revisit memory lane!
NAD 3140, Nakamichi 480, Sony PS-X60 w/Shure V-15 and Celestion Ditton 15XR w/factory upgraded tweeters/networks on Celestion Chrome OEM stands. My High School system circa 1982 when time stood still :-)
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 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.
My Pioneer PD S95 Stable Platter Transport. I've had it for probably 15 years and have had no problems with it, although have had it serviced just to make sure all is well 2 years ago. It was beautifully designed and built, and has really been a pleasure to use.
Eggleston Andra Loudspeakers S/N 009 & 010. Came out of Stereo Exchange, NYC. Funny though, the name plate on the back of the speakers refers to them as Eggleston "Andrus" Loudspeakers. Yes, I will always own them. Hell, I'm to old to lift 'em!
Logitech Transporter with Modwright mods. Still the best digital sound I've ever heard. Unfortunately I no longer have it as I got nervous when Logitech discontinued it. I am very happy with my current digital setup but it does not sound as good as the Modwright Transporter.
My Mark Levinson 380s Preamp. It's out for refurbishment now and I hope to get another 20 years of beautiful music when it is done. Tried others in the past but none could match the neutrality.
My Musical Fidelity M6PRX amplifier. Since I got this amp I have tried others including Bryston, Mark Levinson and Coda. I always come back to it. It seems to have great synergy with any speaker I try and it just sounds great.
My 15 year old UK made Castle Richmond 3i small standmounts. Recently dug 'em out for a change from my Quad S2s and they ain't going back anytime soon.
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.
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
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