Best surprisingly good value component


Like many of you, I try many components, liking many of them, before settling on one for the final system component (thank God for Audiogon, and buying and selling used gear). Many times I am shocked that the biggest name, and most expensive doesn't sound the best in my system.

I tried many (11) DAC's before settling on the Bryston that I had in my system for a long time. I have had many, many subs, and even more phono stages, both tubed and SS.

So my question is what is the component you have in your system now that is the "best bargain". In other words probably much below the cost of the other components, but you just can't get rid of it because it sounds so good?

For me it's easy: PS Audio GCPH Phono Stage modded by Parts Connexion (sold mostly by Underwood). I bought this as I tried to find the best sub $5k phono stage I could get, and never found one that bettered this to my ear. I don't know that everyone would have this experience, but with my set up, I have yet to find a better phono stage.

I recently went to a higher output cartridge, and tried to go back to the phono stage on my Cary SLP98p F-1 that I have always loved, and found that the Modded PS Audio bests it in all ways by a mile.

Let's hear what your best "bargain" gear is?

I
macdadtexas
Sony XDR-F1HD tuner modded by Radio X Tuners. For $350 nothing else comes close.
Ditto the Logitech Squeezebox...
If you add a Channel Island power supply it gets even better but this thread is about "budget" components. The power supply cost as much as the Squeezebox itself.
My best bargain by far is a pair of Snell Type K/IIs. Close to the wall on a console rather than stands, they're a huge improvement on the much more expensive speakers they replaced. I'm tempted to try to find another pair as a backup because replacing them new would mean Audio Note AN-Ks at more than ten times what I paid for the Snells.
I plan on getting the Squeezebox Touch soon. With the reputation for performance and the value it represents how can you not?