Which components knocked you out on first listen?


I've been listening to stereos since 1973 and I am still waiting to be truly knocked out by the sound of a component. I have sat in showrooms across the country and have been pleased by what I have heard but never truly blown away.
The closest I came was when I listened to a Meitner str-55 amp and VTL preamp a few years ago, sourced by a Linn Ikemi and Revel loudspeakers. However, I also have been moved by a
Apple computer cd drive, circa 1994 through a Creek 4040 and RA Lab speakers, estimated cost about $1,200; maybe more so than the Linn,Revel 10K system. How about you?
cody
The following gear along my 25 year journey as an audiophile have knocked me out..

- Infinity IRS-V's. Stunning in every way. Thunderous concert-level bass and ethereal "reach out and touch it" imaging across a vast sound stage. Simply awesome.
- Vitus SIA-025 integrated amp paired with a Vitus SCD-010, Siltech Royal Signature cables & Magico Q1's. Amazingly pure, analogue-like sound which sounded dynamic and mellifluous at the same time. That demo shocked me and directly led to me selling my old system. I'm happy to say the Vitus SCD-025Mk2 is much better than the old SCD-010.
- Magico S5's. They were the first speakers which brought back the same sense of awe and excitement as the Infinity IRS speakers. The S5's sound well balanced, coherent, a touch warm & have very good bass which has texture & inner detail. They are great "all rounders".
- Crystal Arabesque. I was blown away by the overall coherency, wide, even sound stage & natural sound of these speakers. The unique glass arabesque-shaped cabinet & superb RAAL 140-15D tweeters certainly helped. The RAAL is the fastest, most grainless and natural sounding tweeter I've ever heard. The Acapella TW 1S ion plasma tweeter is faster, but did not as natural to my ears. I'm looking forward to seeing how far along Magico have come with their new diamond-coated beryllium tweeter.
- Tech Das AF1 tt with Graham tonearm. The AF1 sounds very solid, velvety smooth & coherent. Resolution and dynamics of course are outstanding, as are its build quality and industrial design. To sum up: One of best designed and looking decks ever made. Natural sound which draws you in and makes you want to listen.
Spectral Audio amp and preamp comdo.
Took the glass right out of the "audio" window (not the glass ones). Cheers. Pete
First McIntosh tubes...why am I frozen in place?
Heil AMT 1...the music sparkles!
Apogee Stages setup almost nearfild...where are they?
Hyperion 938 speakers...came back to their room five times.
Over the years, the following products have been the ones that left the strongest lasting impressions on first listen:

Verdier La Platine
Genesis 300 speakers (at their current used prices, one of the best bargains in audio)
Counterpoint SA-9 / Magnum Opus
Siltech Emperor

Melbguy1's list isn't so bad either - love the TechDas AF1 and Infinity IRS V.