[Doublej]

The posting of an ART DI/O for sale has me wondering what's the latest super duper el cheapo [fill in the component] that sounds spectacular when modified.

Old ====> Current

ART DI/O DAC ?
Panasonic SA-XR  Receiver ?
Infinity Primus 150 or Insignia speakers ?

etc.


 

[jkelly]

Some cheap items that have worked well for me.

The Trends amp is still in the over achiever catagory.

The doubled Yardmaster speaker cables are very good.

Eminence Alpha 15's is an excellent woofer for OB.

Panasonic SA-XR57 WITH power conditioner, while not cheap, can be very good for the money.

[mcullinan]

The wine I boughts u suckahs. ba haha..
Ok not funni.
Mike

[BobM]

Well, not necessarily new, but new to me, is my highly modded Zhaolu DAC. Yes, it did surpass and replace my modded Art DI/O. Here's some info on it and a comparison against much stiffer competition:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=741f9e9e4bd88aed2c1f72f34272bbe7&threadid=77992&perpage=25&highlight=zhaolu&pagenumber=15

I'm betting that we're going to see even more Squeezebox-like and computer sourced digital this year and next, but there's still a real high quality standard to be set in the upper reaches, and a low priced but moddable product to be released at the bottom (maybe a second generation Squeezebox?). Once that happens all the modders will have something to shoot for and compare against.

Bob

[sbrtoy]

I would guess the same...the Duet is out now and more manufacturers are sure to try to get a piece of the pie that Squeezebox now dominates.  Obviously modifications for these type of components are sure to up the bang for the buck as well.

[AphileEarlyAdopter]

..
Panasonic SA-XR57 WITH power conditioner, while not cheap, can be very good for the money.

Right..the Panny probably with an Audience aR1p  power conditioner should be good. I am now using a Blue Circle MR 1200 and a Furman Power Factor Pro with my Panny XR55. Once I get my Paypal account fixed up (somebody broke into it) I am going to get one aR1p from audiogon. Oh btw, with a Black Sand Violet power cord..my Panny is 'bristling' !!!