Vote

I read about a custom-rebuild of the Marantz CD63Mk2seKI Signature, designed again by KI and offered by the Marantz factory. It included black gates etc, and copper-plating inside and out. Not cheap. Problem was, I didn't own one! Months of fruitless searching and then in the tiniest of classified ads: gotcha! For £100 with a faulty transport. There was a six month wait for the Marantz metamorphosis. It's still here, shiny and gorgeous, making beautiful music five years later. I also bought a second-hand, slightly scruffy, Krell KAV-300CD, and sent it off to have a new fascia fitted, later fitting a new lid myself—I'd always loved the elegant restraint of its design in photos and wanted it to look its best. I listen to it every day, classical orchestral mainly, some of the most profound creations of the human mind. Yet, as Mr. Wilde said, only a fool doesn't judge by appearances.

I bought my Theta Pro Prime DAC right after losing my job. I'd call that pretty extreme! Glad I bought it second-hand on eBay!