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

Zu Varial IC. After reading the 6moon review and contact Srajan Ebaen, I gave it a shot. At the time, it best my AQ Sky and Cardas GR.

The Zu Ash is also an excellent digital cable for the $$.
Another vote for the AP Virgo IIs. Both of my brothers want to buy them from me but they are staying put. As a prior poster mentioned, when they are set up right not much can touch them.
Squeezebox Touch. The previous Squeezebox models were also "overachievers" but the Touch beats them all (except, of course, the Transporter).