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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
grateful's avatar
grateful
104 posts
 
Quad 988.
Klipschorn and many other klipsch speakers were my main stay - but I had been wanting to improve the midrange tone. Heard many other "high end" speakers JM Focal, Tannoy, 801's, and on and on... sorry to all who disagree, but Klipsh's design from the 1940's beats them all. BUT... When I heard the 988 - I thought I had gone to heaven - brought a pair home then very next week. Happily ever after...
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,927 posts
 
Grateful, your last name is not "Dead" is it?

If yes, would you autograph some LP's for me?
tmhaudio
99 posts
 
Rogers LS3/5A w/Janis subwoofers. The amps were classic tube designs (I think 70's marantz) with a Linn LP-12 source. My first experience with a true high-performance system and it was absolutely mind blowing at the time. I still have my LS3/5A speakers in my office and hear them everyday - still love 'em!

More recently, the Metronome Kalista transport - reinforces the idea the source component is THE most important.
rick85p's avatar
rick85p
4 posts
 
Jeff Rowland 100 Watt Stereo Solid State amplifier and matching Preamplifer. They were hooked up to Vandersteen 3a speakers and were fed by a unknown very high end turntable with a Denon DL-103 cartridge. This was in 1993 while in Hawaii.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
H2O's Fire preamp tops my list now.
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