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
I had a Classe 400 that Was doing a fine job, until I sat this little Acoustic reality ICE amp down next to it. Way more open on both extremes, much better bass, and a much cleaner sound without being digital. I could not believe all that from 12 lbs monoblocks, crazy.
The radio in the fire engine as I responded to my first fire over 23 years ago.

And the job is STILL exciting!
Passive preamp!

Totally blown away when I first tried a passive pre. It was the reference line preeminence 1b. My jaw dropped.

That and when I started making my own thick solid core cables and interconnects.
System-wise - dCS P8i ~ Focus Audio Master 2 ~ Vitus Amps;

Individual Component-wise - Focus Audio FS-888, Magico Model 6, PrimaLuna Prologue 2, Yamamoto HA-02, Zu Definition Pro's, Rogue Audio M150's, Aurum Cantus V3M, REL R505, Pathos ClassicOne