Can't go wrong with Manfrotto. I bought mine in 1979 and it's good as new. I was going to get a different type of head but they now cost more than what I paid for the whole thing.
Waves was good to me this year. Reel ADT for $49, this years and last years freebies. They have a great deal on the CLA Classic Compressors, 2 verions of the 1176, LA2A, LA3A for $149. Last BF was the only other time I've seen this package so cheap (and I bought it then) and the H-EQ for $49. It's a great replacement for the Quad Curve EQ if you don't have Platinum.