What's the best and/or favorite piece of equipment you've owned? And do you still own it?

I will never change or part with my speakers, but I do change components infrequently.

Now, the next thing I will never part with is my Vintage McIntosh mx110z Tube Tuner/Preamp.

If trouble presents itself, It will be overhauled by Audio Classics pronto.
Dead, I would buy another without ever considering an alternate.

Things you would replace without considering alternates?

You make me realize I have several things I won’t change unless they die. Keep in mind, I’m 72, so over many years you get to keepers.

As I said, I will never change or part with my speakers (custom enclosure/vintage drivers from 1958). I have a full set of spare drivers downstairs, and just checked yesterday, the vintage cloth surround re-cone kits are still available for the 15" woofers.

I also said I will never part with my Vintage McIntosh mx110z Tube Tuner/Preamp. I just wrote this AM, to Audio Classics asking them what they might charge to ’upgrade/overhaul’ them (just to know). If trouble presents itself, I’ll drive up there, 5 hours away, drop it off, visit my friend who lives near there. Dead, I would buy another without ever considering an alternate.

My TT, just added a 3rd tonearm to Vintage JVC Plinth CL-P2, I will never change that plinth. Spinner, TT81, never change it unless it dies, then direct replacements are available. 3 Arms, no desire to change, but if any arm dies, I would search, consider alternates.

SUT, new to me Vintage Fidelity Research FRT-4, if it died I would get another one just like it. It's 3 inputs match my 3 arms, and 4 optional loads give flexibility for future MC cartridges.

Reel to Reel, Teac X2000R, I have 2 active and 1 spare, their last ’Prosumer’ model, never consider another, I know all about their innards.

Office TT, vintage Vertical on top of BC. Only vertical will fit. Mitsubishi LT-5V is so cool looking, and a high quality linear tracking, I’d get another if it died. I’ve got some spare parts downstairs, but mice ate the electronics, so only physical replacement parts are good. They made similar taller units ’Interplay’ with vertical Tt and cassette and fm and aux input. If this died, just for fun I might go for one of them.

I frequently mention Chase RLC-1 Remote Line Controller for remote volume and remote balance. I will never live without two, 1 main, 1 office, and I have a 3rd on the shelf.

Oh yeah, my 8 Track Player. POC, but I designed the offices of Columbia House, and it was a gift.

My first decent speakers age 19, were AR2x. I was ransacked years later, took me a lot of years to get over the loss of those speakers.

Small Home Theater Front Speakers

DBX Soundfield 100

http://www.hifi-classic.net/review/dbx-soundfield-100-135.html

I told Donna, walking into 6th Avenue Electronics flagship store on 6th avenue (39th/40th street?): "We’re not buying, just a quick listen to these new speakers I read about". "Sir, where do I bring the car around to: front, side, rear door to pick them up?"

Maybe too small for a larger HT, but for me I will never part with them.

Their design creates a WIDE CENTER Image, 3 people on a couch all get imaging with the Phantom Center Sounds anchored to the video.

Surround Sound, IF the sound is directed to the center channel speaker, and the center speaker is on, everyone gets good center imaging no matter where they are sitting. But, other off-center imaging varies.

ANY Imaging, (surround material or 2 channel source) created by equal or deliberately unequal sounds from front left and front right speakers (Phantom as there is no center speaker involved) is only great seated in the center, progressively ’less great’ related to distance off-center, UNLESS the speakers are unique.

Basically, these DBX angle the drivers, like massive toe-in, aiming left to right, right to left. Sit centered, everything is centered. Move left: you are closer to the left speaker, however, the right speaker is aimed more directly toward you, thus the volumes from each are ’equalized’ by distance/direction. The result is a Phantom Centered Image while sitting off center.
tweeters on 3 surfaces to distribute highs everywhere.

Enough Bass to be enjoyable, and I added a single non-directional sub for Dinosaur Stomp extension.
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Any current speakers specifically designed for WIDE CENTER Image available?

What a great thread, and it reveals the amazing breadth of terrific equipment over the years

I often copy and paste members equipment in threads, just to see/learn what they are excited about or asking for help.

This thread is too huge for that, but the diverse enthusiasm is infectious.

Fisher 500C Vintage Tube Receiver. Two on the shelf.

Anytime I need to change, sell, fix tuner, preamp or amp, this baby comes out of retirement, keeps the system truly enjoyable until ____ is back in town.

Pair of Vintage Fisher 80Z mono tube amps, pair and a spare on the shelf. Not going anywhere.

my efficient speakers, I never needed anything more than 30 wpc, could probably go lower, just never tried.