Best Component Ever, for the money


The other thread with this title was corrupted in its inception. Let's do this one with NO cables, power cords, isolation devices or tweaks. My vote goes to the Connoisseur turntable (integrated with arm). I don't have it anymore and you shouldn't be able to find one for sale. High end perspective for $150.
paulwp
Marantz SC-7S1 preamp and Sonus Faber Extrema speakers. Both are absolutely incredible for the money.
I have a new nominee. Nelson Pass' new Aleph J amp from his First Watt company. I'm just getting the measure of one, and my reactions so far have all been of the "Holy Cow!" variety. It's busily smoking a tweaked-out PX-25 SET amp that cost ten times as much...
Ming Da MC 84-B integrated. Under 400.00. A 40 pound beauty with a midrange to die for.

Ruark Swardsman for 60.00, pair.

Sony XA7ES CD Player, DEMO from Sony Factory store, 399.00 w 1 yr. factory warranty.

Maggie 1.4 Ribbons, 375.00 mint OBO. Almost like the 1.6's, just cheap.

Current Onix 60 watt integrated. 175.00 Great tube sound, looks like Audionote amp.

Arcam Alpha 5 Integrated, 225.00. Great mids, and wonderful phono.
So far for me the best buys for the bucks have been the Legacy Audio Classics speakers, under 2700.00 for them in rosewood. The Parasound Halo JC-1 amps for 6,360 a pr. are a steal as far amps that can sing like these do and have the power to go with it. My used Sony SCD-1 for 2300.00 might be my best buy so far. The sacd is awesome and I'm using it also as a transport into my Audio Aero prima SE DAC, for redbook that is out of this world good.