I'll start it off...

 

As a digital source, I still keep coming back to my Sugden (Graham - can I say that without making you fume?) SDT1 Super Plus CD.  £1500 integrated cd with Philips CDM9 Pro transport mech and DAC based around the TDA1541a chip.  For me, it has what is claimed to be that analogue sound (as far as that is possible) from digital.  There's a warmth to the vocals, realness to acoustic guitar etc that makes me go "aaahhhh" when I listen to something like Kate Rusby, Jack Johnson, Natalie Merchant etc.

 

It's 12 years old and has had a new dac chip and new transport mech.  It's also had the new drawer loading gear (thanks for that btw Emmodd).  Why would I change?

 

Fact is, through Audio Elevation, we have as our flagship the AMR cd player (see www.amr-audio.co.uk for info) and you'll see that is based on the 1541a chip also, which is probably key to the sound produced by the Sugden.  At £4400, it's a lot of wonga and is a serious piece of kit (35kg for a cd player - in the supplied flight case it's 46kg!).  I should be going to the AMR every time but, to be fair, the Sugden always gets a look in - it's an old friend and I'm keeping it thanks.  The AMR is devastatingly good, of course :-)

 

When we're saying what we have/had here, what are the classics of their time as far as you all are concerned?  The Sugden qualifies for me.  My Proac Response 1SC speakers would also be up there with the best as far as I'm concerned.  Again, a few years old now.  Graham/John/Emmodd would swear the Technics deck is the benchmark.  The Audio Technica AT95e cartridge another.  What are the new classics???