what are your top "audio bargins" in your system history?

$125 Crown PS-200 from a little church in Virginia and the $280 full service from AE Techron on same.

$199 right off the shelf value for Audifi WiFi streamer and free 4Stream controller app.

I have a friend who was visiting another out-of-town friend and noticed he was propping up his garage door to get more ventilation with a shiny metal object.  Upon closer inspection, it was discovered it was a McIntosh amplifier chassis.  When the owner declared that "he only used it to prop up the garage door" my friend made him a proposition.  He then went to the local Home Depot, bought a couple of blocks for $4 and swapped him out.  I'm sure they chassis needed a little TLC after that, but this guy restores vintage gear and probably had a big smile on his face through the entire process.  I know this sounds "a little out there", but this is a stand up guy who wouldn't have made this up.

Von Schweikert original Vortex Screens (bought in 1991)

Blue Circle BC21 preamp (bought in 2000)

McCormack DNA-1 Amp (bought in 1991)

Portal Panache Integrated...I had a few, but after surgery needed a unit with remote...I think they were all made in 2003, would love find one and had it refurbished/upgraded by Jon S...oddly, I was just thinking about that this morning...

First "Audiophile" interconnects taught to me by Stan Warren (the S of PS Audio in the early 80's) at their facility. Three gauges of magnet wire(motor or coil winding wire) in something like 2/2/3 strands, wish I could remember exactly, braided and silver soldered into the cheapest Radio Shack RCA connectors, the ones with little metal wings and no outside insulation. Cost back then, about $1 for 3 ft pair.

We listened to his set on their shop system and compared to the best other cables they had on hand, they were better:) Also go to listen to the original cigar box preamp as well:)

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Later 90's I learned about using Star Quad raw cable and decent but low cost RCA connectors to make dang fine cables for around $10 a pair or less. I have used it for balanced cables as well.

I have no plans to spend more on cables, have plenty of raw cable to make all I will ever need.

Rick