Which components knocked you out on first listen?


I've been listening to stereos since 1973 and I am still waiting to be truly knocked out by the sound of a component. I have sat in showrooms across the country and have been pleased by what I have heard but never truly blown away.
The closest I came was when I listened to a Meitner str-55 amp and VTL preamp a few years ago, sourced by a Linn Ikemi and Revel loudspeakers. However, I also have been moved by a
Apple computer cd drive, circa 1994 through a Creek 4040 and RA Lab speakers, estimated cost about $1,200; maybe more so than the Linn,Revel 10K system. How about you?
cody

Showing 2 responses by gilbodavid

Quad esl57's, Avantgarde Duos, and today i heard Monster horns (and i mean huge) with AER drivers driven by monster old tube set, Shindo pre and Linn deck with Koetsu cart. The first real ly jaw dropping bass i have ever heard - from a single 8" driver! It went way down seamlessly (now i really know what that means), with a power and delicate finness that i must replicate somehow in my 13'x13' lounge....
just iscovered horns i listened to yeasterday were the $36,000 Carfrae Big Hornes. Stunning!