What is your favorite budget audio component?

Eminent Technology LFT-8b loudspeakers. Restored Quad ESLs. Both great speakers for chump change, they embarrass far more expensive ones.

Bluesound Node/Vault 2
MMGs
Infinity Primus 150 (full disclosure--have a pair listed for sale).
Dennis Had Inspire (LP3a, LP27a, HO KT88 SEP)
Spendor s3/5r2 (at used prices)

Still have and love my 30+ year old Audible Illusions Modulus II pre-amp.
I believe it was about $450.00 new. Still going strong and sounding good...Jim

Vandersteen 1Ci.  They punch way above their ~$1300 price.

I would say the Linn LP12, which is only budget in the context of the very expensive turntables that have littered the landscape in the last decade. Though due to the very long production run, decent, older examples can be had for less than $1000.

I consider it budget because it is an heirloom product at a real world price, with upgrades available for even 30 year old examples.

IMHO it may be the most important product of audio gear ever made.

That is not to say that it will slot well into all systems, and that there aren’t a million other quality turntables that are similarly priced that one might not prefer.