I think what PM means is he is wanting our views on inexpensive(relative) audio equipment that is much better than it's retail price should allow. Everyone knows there is expensive(relative again) equipment that sounds good. |
"Exceptions don't render generalities irrelevant".
This sounds like spoken by Roman senator.
In my experience, Custom Power Cord Co Top Gun power cord certainly qualifies as "stupid good". I bought it here used for $87 ( I think, it was $400 new) and it made such a big improvement with my Audiolab integrated. Then I bought another one for $125 used and it took my Acoustech phono stage to a significantly higher level. |
Exceptions don't render generalities irrelevant. |
I lot of stuff is "stupid good" when set up properly in properly set up and well matched system.
The exact same stuff may sound "stupid bad" otherwise. |
There are certainly many outstanding components whose performance belies their cost, yet only qualify as "stupid good" because of their exceptional and uncommon price/performance differential. |
ars sonum filarmonia se tube int amp
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The little Sony HD tuner, now, sadly, out of production. Will Sony please offer another model. Or, please, will someone license this technology and get a similar product on the market! |
W4S DAC2. For the money,or regardless, its crazy good.
Wyetech Opal Pre - Stands the test of time. Timeless performance. Wirth 2x price +.
Neal |
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I already mentioned a couple and agree with de Havilland Ultraverve preamp; but forget to mention Tekton Uruz speakers, if you listen to lighter fare,... acoustical, jazz, early music, & vocalists, etc. For the 1st 6 months I had to ask myself; "they can't be this good for the money, am I fooling myself?" Simply excellent with the lighter side! |
Used Apogee speakers. They may be a 20 year old design but they will still compete with cutting edge speakers of today with a little tender loving care. |
Technics SL-1200 turntable
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I heard a pair of big buck Focal Grand Utopias recently.
Very good. Very expensive. Very BIG!
Came home and listened to my OHM 5 series 3 that cost me less than 1/5th what the GUs would cost.
Stupid good! At least in comparison in my room. I suspect the comparison could hold in most people's home listening rooms as well.
Maybe also the TAD 125 Hibachi mono blocks. Haven't really challenged these hard enough yet though to say. They are stupid good though I think for the task of getting a very involving sound out of my Stax sr-80 headphones. Also similarly very good with small, more efficient and otherwise tube friendly Triangle Titus monitors. They might be stupid good in comparison to some alternate considerably more expensive higher powered tube amps, against which these mostly SS amps are designed to compete.
Definitely the Squeezebox Touch. Probably also the Denon DL103R phono cart. |
"Stupid Good" : Standard but good quality interconnects and speaker cables, which are generally available for less than $100 and appropriately specified for the equipment in use.
Plain "Stupid" : special cables and interconnects generally available for thousands of dollars.
Some may argue that cables and interconnects are NOT worthy of being considered as components....and they would be right!!! |
It doesn't qualify as "stupid good" unless 1. it's an outstanding performer, and 2. its cost/benefit ration is in double-take territory: What!!? Unbelievable! Special emphasis on really inexpensive gear... |
The Grant Fidelity Tube DAC-09 is unbeatable value, at about $200. Very Enjoyable.
Oppo DVD players are also great value as transports that will satisfy many if given a chance. |
Components? Does the power juice qualify? |
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I know this will be dismissed by most as bunk because most super budget wonderfinds are usually a load. To me, the Play Station 1, as hyped in some circles, does actually sound very good. I'm not saying it knocks off mega-buck sources, I certainly have nothing like that to compare it to. But for $15 off CL this thing goes way past "stupid good", on the price/perf ratio, it's insane good!
Another bit of blasphemy, I suggest anyone with high efficiency speakers should have a t-amp for back-up. My PS1 cdp, XLO VDO cables, Hlly Tamp-20 amp, "white lightning moonshine" speaker cables, and Klipsch Forte II speakers comprise an incredibly enjoyable budget system. Did I say budget? Total outlay so far: $430!
Ultimate system that does everything right? No. Ultimately cheap and very enjoyable? Yes! Plays loud and will hit the bottom note on "Cosmic Hippo"! Super has been super fun! |
15" Tannoy Gold's in an appropriate cabinet is the best deal I can think of.
Mastersound's Integrateds are also pretty hard to beat for the price. |
The Sangeon hdt-1 HD radio at under $200 is a steal ,buy the Marnum Dynalabs whip antenna for $100 and you have a killer setup ,just remember to use a decent power cord , and at least a $100 set of interconnects. |
I have to include the Vh Audio V/Caps into this group..Though maybe not considered a component,they sure qualify for the " Stupid Good " category...Both the CuTf and the TfTf,are exceptional..It just becomes a matter of
which version Cap best fits your needs.
I tried both versions and ended up with the CuTf caps..Not cheap,but considering the upgrade in performance,they are well worth the price..... |
Tube Research Dude (also the Samson amps). Tube Audio Labs TADAC (DAC). Eagle amplifiers. |
The deHavilland Ultraverve preamplifier...
Wait for it.......Wait for it.....here comes the audiofeel |
I agree with Rega's arm and add most of Oppo's DVD players. |
The very well thought out and beautifully machined titanium counterweight for all the Rega tonearms available from Kerry Audio Design.
Makes Rega RB-300 even "more stupid good."
And that ain't bad!
Also, I second the classic JVC XL-Z1050TN CD player included in the list by Schipo. |
Over the years these are the 2 that struck me as silly good
Placette passive preamp - resister based, which is excellent in some set ups.
Canbridge Audio 840C CDP |
1.)Altec (288, 802D,416,515,604,414,806, 811, 511)
2.)RCA Phono Preamp Circuit(you have to build it)
3.)Azura Horns
4.)Thorens TD124, Garrard 301, Technics SP10, SME 3012! (sells for less than $500 or thereabouts per before all the craziest depleted the supply). Thank God I was informed very early!! Got one of my TD124 at $215 IIRC!
5.) Altec 4722 SUT
6.) Teres Original 255 |
Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC.
Supra Classic 6 speaker wire.
Grover Huffman SX interconnects.
Tube Audio Design "Hibachi" ss monoblocks. |
B&K 200+ amp
Adcom 565 preamp
Sound Dynamics 300ti speakers
C&J sonograph TT and arm
Amber series 70 amp old but still sweet and not sterile like earlier SS amps
JVC 1050&1010 CD players |
Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC
Modwright LS100 Preamp
Grover Huffman Interconnects |
good call on the Rega Arm, I 100% agree, and would add the following:
Magnepan 1.7 (and the 1.6qr before it)
Eastern Electric MiniDAC
Kimber Hero Interconnects |
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The Squeezebox Touch comes immediately to mind. It can be had new for a bit less than $300 -- and it kicks ass in a really big way. |
Norh SE 9. Good luck trying to find one. |
