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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 mapman

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mapman
22,811 posts
 
years ago, klipschorns and Magnepan Tympanis. Hearing them the first time may have been the event that made me into an audio nut for life.

mbl 101s almost did it more recently except I am a bit more jaded these days and harder to knock out.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,811 posts
 
Recently, when I switched back in the DNM Reson ICs in place of some others (MIT and Harmonic Tech), they surprisingly knocked me out with their tonal clarity and seeming coherence and have taken over my system since.

Massed strings on Magico mini's with good tube amplification almost floored me couple years back when I heard them.

Also recently, a pair of GOTO custom horns of some high end tube electronics and vinyl rig at Capital Audio Fest knocked out most everyone I encountered who heard them with various classical and jazz pieces played.

My current system setup overall mesmerizes me regularly, particularly with the OHMs, but it took a good bit of tweaking and refinement to get it there. If I allowed it to knock me out, I'd be dead and buried by now.
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