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Your best ''outstanding'' products in last 5 yrs?

I have been reflecting on my biggest surprises and value-for-money purchases in the last 5 years - the ones that were truly impressive for the money, here are mine, and would like to find out about other maniac's choices! Stick to what you have actually purchased please! My top 5 (so far).

1. Yamaha AS2000 integrated amplifier.

Totally off the charts. This is an absolutely outstanding amplifier for the money - I cannot think of anything under $ 3,000.00 that is more refined, powerful, and full-featured all at once. Gracious looks and battleship build are a bonus.

2. Shanling MC-30 receiver.

It may look like a toy, but it sure isn't one. Wonderful musicality with a whopping 3 watts of power, sounds much more powerful than that. A steal at the price. Amp, cd, tuner, with the magic of tubes.

3. Yamaha AS1000 SACD player.

Only the second (along with the AS2000 amp) Yamaha component I have owned in my lifetime. Ridiculous price, amazing quality with the smoothest-operating load mechanism south of 5K. Someone told me that Yamaha's marketing mistake is that they should have invented a sister brand (like Pioneers TAD or Teac's Esoteric) for the AS series so that they could charge more. I agree, but in the meantine, the consumer wins.

4. Music Hall MMF-7 turntable.

No REGA or VPI bragging rights, but this is a BEAUTIFUL table worth every penny and more. Decoupled motor, classy acrylic plate, double-deck plinth, decent Pro-Ject tonearm, it just screams ''buy me''. Now updated to 7.1 - I listened to both, could not detect a sonic difference with the same cartrige.

5. Cambridge Audio combo of DacMagic and the new ID100 digital transport (check my review on this one). Roaming hundreds of free digital Web radio stations has become very enjoyable with not-too-shabby sound. Pocket change as far as audiophile budget goes for these 2 items.

Special mention to TT weights and their Classic model. Where else can you get a CNC-machined product from an avionics supplier for 60 bucks?

That's it for now - after mega-buck tube amps, cables, preamps and cd players - these top 5 are it for me, and have given me a break in my pocketbook with no regrets.

Let's hear your choices!
sonicbeauty
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
1. Jim Smith RoomPlay voicing service. Least expensive and by far the biggest improvement. It made me realize what is important.

2. Loricraft PRC4 Deluxe with AIVS cleaning solutions. My ears appreciate it, the LPs deserve it. Followed by demag and new inner and outer sleeves.

3. Magico Mini II. Expensive and worth every dollar both sonically and aesthetically. A contemporary classic.

4. Acoustic Revive RWL-3 panels and RR-77 resonator. I don't understand them, and I can't listen without them. They just make everything sound more natural.
rdavwhitaker
173 posts
 
Here are the Products in the last five years where I felt I got exceptional value:

1. Cambridge Audio 840e/840w preamp/amp combo

2. Mac Mini as a dedicated music server

3. Dynavector Karat cartridge

4. Audio Engineering 2008 Turntable

5. Nitty Gritty 1.5 record cleaner
mdowns32's avatar
mdowns32
71 posts
 
My Squeezebox (both Classic and now the Touch)
chashas1
596 posts
 
Hands down winner for me would be the Well Tempered Lab Amadeus.
Rivals tables of great pedigrees and cost. A most musical device.
stickman451
553 posts
 
Magnepan 3.6 speakers; a truly awesome product for the money. (Actually bought mine used for a paltry $2,800). The 3.6's really sound as good and outperform many speakers that I have heard that cost as much as ten times more! A true bargain in audio and one of the very best speakers you can buy!

My first impressions of the new 3.7's are that they are even better; on my short list for a next purchase.

Cary 500MB SS amps. Can drive anything (1000 watts into 4ohms) and the closest thing to a great pair of tube mono blocks that I have found so far.
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