What is your favorite budget audio component?

October 2016, Anthem I225 Integrated amp - $900. From Parts connexion with new Mundorf AG Capacitors. 1 year warranty. Still have the original Blue Nichicon Capacitors.

New 1.5 meter Cardas Golden Reference Power cable and (1) pair- New 1 meter Cardas Golden Reference XLR interconnects for 55% off, also from Chris at Parts Connexion- $800 all in shipped.

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If the rest of your system is a good match and you only have 1 source, the Lightspeed passive LDR pre-amp is "stupid-good" at about 1/2 kilo-buck!  Not quite as good as my 20X price actives, but surely a bargain of the century.  Used Vandersteen 2ce sig speakers.  McCormack DNA 0.5. Used Merlin TSM monitors.  

Canare starquad microphone cable for interconnect.

TransFi air bearing tonearm.

Plitron isolation transformers.

Adcom GFA555 new in the 80s

PSB X2T Floor Standing Speakers.  More than budget, these are all about value.