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 newbee

Quad ESL 63's, properly set up and powered with tubes, in a large room - Jazz at the Pawn Shop on a Linn 12 and a Grace F9E. Talk about dimensional with the "you are there" feeling! Been trying to duplicate that sound for years, got all the gear, but I never got the right room.
Since my post in '03 I have finally found speakers for my room which just exceed all of my expectations and I expect will end my quest, they so especially connect with my subjective expectations......Silverline Boleros, the speakers for audiophiles exhausted by the chase. :-)