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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
r_f_sayles's avatar
r_f_sayles
872 posts
 
the Coincident Pure Reference Extremes. Bravo!!!
ehoehn
169 posts
 
SAS 11A Preamp
gerrym5's avatar
gerrym5
286 posts
 
1. Lamm ML 2.1 mono amps sound so musically correct and are so much more powerful than their stated 18W. They are driving my W/P 8's with ease.
2a. VAC Avatar Super in an second system or primary system. Wow, what a beautiful looking and sounding integrated. It even has an excellent phono stage. Buy one if you can ever find one.
2b. Leben CS300 integrated is a classy piece that you'll keep for a life time. I mean that. If the CS600 is as good, that is one great product line.
3. Stealth Indra I.C. cables, the most significant positive change I've ever made.
4. Arcici equipment rack.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
The most interesting product in the last 5 years IMO is the Naim Uniti, hands down.

Integrated amp, CDP, DAC, iRadio/FM/AM tuner, and streamer all in one excellent sounding package. On top of all that, it's very easy to set up and use.

I don't own one, but I've heard it and played around with it several times. If I needed to cut down on the number of boxes in my home, it would be a no brainer.

Too bad more companies don't make stuff like this. The Peachtree units come close and for a cheaper price, but they don't hold a candle to the Uniti. If more companies made stuff like this, I'm pretty sure it would make it easier to get the next generation to take a more serious look at our hobby.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Sorry... my iPhone doesn't make editing easy.

The Peachtree units don't come close to the Uniti from a sound quality standpoint. They sound good, but not Naim Uniti good. Not to mention build quality, although I hear the Peachtree guys are very good to deal with when their stuff does break.
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