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All time classics? Your top 3 or 4?

Most of us here on AudiogoN have had more than our share of components and speakers...so:

What items do you feel are "all time classics"?

These would be audio products that set the standard for others and are (likely) even now well thought of.

I will start things off with:

1. The Dahlquist DQ-10
2. The Large Advent
3. The Conrad Johnson ART pre-amp.
4. The Classe CAP-100 integrated.

(I could/should have mentioned others...but that's why I started this thread!).
whatjd
brf
1,699 posts
 
I have owned, and regretfully sold, the below mentioned classic's with the exception of the MFA MC Reference which to this day still resides in my main system.

Mark Levinson ML-2
Classe Audio DR3 VHC
MFA MC Reference
Denon DL103
VPI TNT
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
hah! let me also add

McIntoch
Dynavector
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Trying not to repeat anything.......

Shure V15VMR Cartridge
Conrad Johnson PV-10 Preamp

Both of these products have been around for 15 to 20 years, and are still being manufactured today. They are also as well regarded now, as they were when they were introduced.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
1. The various Vandersteen 2C speaker models have become classics, as have 2. McCormack DNA.5 and DNA-1 amplifiers. These are both very high value products that have stood the test of time. I also agree with the 3. Syn. Res. Master Coupler power cord as a classic. It's certainly one of the power cords that started the high quality "power cord revolution", and is still a standard of sorts. Cheers. Craig
paulwp
585 posts
 
I like TWL's list, almost without exception.

Jasman's list too resonates with me.

Some others mentioned, or not:

KLH Model ? electrostatic speakers

SME 3009
Grace 707
the AR ES turntable

Dynavector 10x cartridge, low cost high output mc still in production I think. Longevity here.

The Mission Cyrus One integrated amp.

BBC LS3/5a minimonitors (whether Rogers, Spendor, etc.)

Current production Harbeth HL Compact 7 speaker, the first to eliminate material coloration in a dynamic driver.

The first Mission cdp.

The JVC XLZ 1010, the first mass produced cdp to actually sound good.

The Sony XA7ES - never owned it, but it sounded more than good, actually satisfying.

On faith, the Carver Lightstar Reference II amplifier, said by REG in TAS to be the first perfect amplifier. (Having heard other Jim Croft designs and tested REG's views on other products, I believe him.)

A personal favorite, among all the KLH and AR speakers considered classics, the one that actually performed the best if you had enough power, the KLH Model 5.

I could think of others that I believe warrant mention over many of the components listed in Stereophile's Top 100, and might disagree with one or two mentioned above, but some of mine are pretty weird too.

Paul
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