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Amazing ''Overachieving'' products...your pick?

I have owned both expensive gear (and I do mean expensive) and ''budget'' gear. Many components are mind-boggling on a price-paid versus performance ratio. Three of my favorites are:

1. The Bedini clarifier. This gizmo just plain works. You may like - or not - the difference it makes on your cd's. In my case, it clears up a lot of fog. The cheapest upgrade to ALL my cd's.

2. The Cayin TA-30 integrated amplifier . So much performance and flexibility for so little money. Put it up against anything up to 3 times the price, musically and from a build-quality perspective. Just plain amazing.

3. The Apple i-Pod Mini. Yes, even from in an audiophile application, playing cd's (not downloaded MP3's). You can snob it but you cannot ignore it.

What are YOUR picks ?
sonicbeauty
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,602 posts
 
A pair of used Carver Silver 9t monoblocks can be had for about $1200 these days.

900 wpc @ 4 ohms

for really hard to drive speakers...get 2 pair and bi-amp for a real treat.
eldragon
707 posts
 
Pass Aleph 3, Pass Aleph 3, and Passs...
cnmachani9ea9
1 posts
 
Agree with others on Cayin TA-30 amp and Tube Audio Design TAD-150 preamp. The Cayin TA-30 "fills the room with music" and the TAD-150 "brings them here"!
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Here' one I just discovered for the tube dudes. Ei Yugo labeled 12AX7 tubes which can be bought new for about $7.00 a tube.....Just went up against my favorite RCA 5751 3X mica BP's and hold their own..in fact a bit more open with better bass...the RCA's have focus and resolution...but at about $100. pair for NOS..I like the Ei a little more!!! FOR SALE: 1 pair RCA 5751's Black Plates!! :)
rgs92
974 posts
 
Sennheiser HD650s (or Grado RS1s), Headroom Max.
Big bucks are not needed get SOTA sound with a headphone system built around these.
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