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
Infinity kappa 9s driven by nakamichi amps (or sumo) back in 91 at rogersound labs. man, that was incredible.
After years of trying better and better S.S. equipment, I bought an Atma-sphere MP-1 and a pair of MA-1s. When I put the cartridge to the LP, it sounded as real as anything I'd ever hoped for. Currently I'm using Maggie 1.7s and a Quad sub woofer with which they mate very well. Recently, I changed the 6SN7s to Sophias and that took things to a new level.
Of all the different systems I've heard, the component that made the biggest impression on me was the original Croft Micro driving a refurbished (by me) Leak Stereo 20 blowing away a very expensive Naim NAC/NAP250 set up.