What's the best and/or favorite piece of equipment you've owned? And do you still own it?

The company/name may be so long-ago and forgotten I couldn't find it on google (or is my memory faulty?), but the Transistronics Integrated I had prior to my Kenwood KW40 was definitely the worst piece of equipment I ever had. It was my first step-up from the fine-sounding Heathkit mono amp preamp combo I got from my dad. Did I get it from my uncle? In any case, gritty, dirty, trebly. I was a happy kid when Dad sprung for that Kenwood after we heard it at the hi-fi show.

Being on the older side, I have a lot to choose from.

Like many who have owned the QUAD ESL, they are number one.

Then there is the unique Townshend Audio Rock Turntable, mine being the Elite/Mk.2 version. Mated to it is another keeper, the Zeta tonearm.

Staying with English companies (yes, Max Townshend was an Australian, but Townshend Audio was---and remains---based in England), there is the equally unique London (formally Decca) phono pickups. I bought my first Decca in 1973, before many of ya'll were born.

Already considered classics, my trio of Music Reference power amps (RM-9 MK.2, RM-10 Mk.2, RM-200 Mk.2) will remain in my music room until I die. Don't hold your breathe ;-) .

Amongst Magneplanar enthusiasts, the Tympani T-IVa remains a favorite. I don't currently have a room big enough for my pair to be properly situated, so they are sitting in their original shipping cartons, waiting for the opportunity to once again sing.

My Best-

When I was in grad school I built a Dynaco PAS3x and a Dynaco 70 over a weekend. All worked. I set it up with an AR turntable, Two AR3 speakers, and a Scott FM Tuner and it sounded great! I mean great. That was in 1967.

I used this set up, in different homes, for over 30 years. Never was I able to replicate the sound of that first room! I have since then used an array of "stuff" from

lots of very high end companies and never as good as the original Dynaco set up.

Today, I am stuck with intermittent internet radio and an array of gear that costs a fortune, but not as clear or musical as was the "Dynaco/AR" experience.

However, it has been a fun voyage. Met a lot of nice people! But the glow of the tubes at night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did have some favorites over the years. I had Boulder amps, Belles amps, McIntosh Amps, Quad amps- favorite were the Quad ESL 57s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Had most of them at the same time in different rooms.

I was so confused as to which sounded better! 

But nothing, nothing compared to the original "Dynaco/AR: set up!

Oh BTW, "Dynaco" was the least expensive, of all, I ever bought, and a kit as well! The Dynaco amp was $89.00 and the PAS 3x was $119.00, plus tax , of course.

Am I getting sad?

NA!

My iPhone 😁 but a need a better battery