The missing piece

Aerial 10T speakers

Bricasti M1 Dac

Probably a tie between the Avid Volvere and the Vandersteen 5s. One expects an audible difference with speakers (voicing, room interaction) so maybe that's a bit of ringer. The Avid was a huge leap forward in analog for me.

Two pieces of equipment for me: 1) Musical Fidelity CD PRE 24 cd player/ preamp and 2) Shure SC 35C phono cartridge.

The CR PRE 24 was the best cd player and preamp I had/ have used. Granted I prefer to buy my equipment new and typically when it is being discontinued and my systems have a definite mid-fi feel to them, still the sound, appearance, and build of the CD PRE 24 has me trying to score a NOS piece, for when the one I have needs to be replaced.

I got back into vinyl about a year or so ago and was just not feeling it and was ready to throw in the towel. I experimented with quite a few cartridges and still nothing, until I tried the Shure SC 35C. Not only is it good for the price, it is just plain good.

Rich

Other pieces I got the greatest impact with was a Musical Design t100 amp and the sp1 preamp, in fact I was so impressed with these components I sold my Parasound a21 and p5 so I would have the funds to buy them.