Amazing ''Overachieving'' products...your pick?


I have owned both expensive gear (and I do mean expensive) and ''budget'' gear. Many components are mind-boggling on a price-paid versus performance ratio. Three of my favorites are:

1. The Bedini clarifier. This gizmo just plain works. You may like - or not - the difference it makes on your cd's. In my case, it clears up a lot of fog. The cheapest upgrade to ALL my cd's.

2. The Cayin TA-30 integrated amplifier . So much performance and flexibility for so little money. Put it up against anything up to 3 times the price, musically and from a build-quality perspective. Just plain amazing.

3. The Apple i-Pod Mini. Yes, even from in an audiophile application, playing cd's (not downloaded MP3's). You can snob it but you cannot ignore it.

What are YOUR picks ?
sonicbeauty
Monarchy NM24 tube dac/preamp. A great sounding piece of gear for the money. The SM70 pro amps are good bang for buck too, with plenty of slam and a tube-like airiness.
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iPhone 4, an incredible instrument. I am amazed by how good it plays music through the little flimsy headset that comes with the unit. It sounds waay better than any receiver based stereo system that I've ever had.
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Shelby + Kroll Nano Monitors and Woofer Monitor. This combo at $2600.00 with some good Class A amplification will knock the socks of most speakers at many times their cost.