BELLARI Tube Phono Preamp
"This U.S. made, one tube wonder has a moving magnet phono preamp & headphone amp. Golden-sweet midrange, nicely extended, fast & clean top end, & satisfyingly punchy bass. My highest recommendation; the budget preamp I enthusiastically recommend." In same class as $5500 preamps."
STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED, 4/08
DYNAUDIO SPEAKERS
MADE IN DENMARK
SUB250 "Lightning fast, terrific pitch definition quite decent bass." PERFECT VISION EDITOR'S CHOICE Winter 07
GOLD LINE U.S. MADE
DSP30 RTA, 1/3 Oct. RTA, STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED
GRADO PHONO CARTRIDGES
ALL GRADO CARTRIDGES ARE HANDMADE IN NEW YORK
BLACK, $60, "Admirable detail & treble extension with good bass & ambience." HI-FI CHOICE RECOMMENDED 5/06
GREEN, $80, "Thoroughly enjoyable for nearly all kinds of music."
BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE RECOMMENDED 5/06
"Warm, yet pleasant balance, sweet treble; Lively overall presentation." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 10/07
"Produces rich, open & expansive music. At it's price it simply can't be beaten!" SENSIBLE SOUND, 10/07
PRESTIGE MC+, mono, $80, "Warm & inviting."
ABSOLUTE SOUND 3/08
GOLD, $180, "Produces rich, open & expansive music."
BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE RECOMMENDED 5/06
SIGNATURE 8MZV, $200, "My primary cartridge. Compared to the Green, instuments sound more natural, greater depth, smoother vocals, more detail, & better instrument placement. The Shure V15VMR had no fire or emotion." SENSIBLE SOUND
REFERENCE PLATINUM, $300, "Nice midrange, lively; cartridge of choice for the most cost restrained." EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/03
REFERENCE SONATA, $500, "Improved detail, transient speed, more seductive midrange, & improved hall sound all very noticeable" STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 10/07
"Wonderful performer; delivers a naturally sweet treble, refined tone colors & very good detail, particularly in the midband." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 10/07
REFERENCE, $1200, "A beautiful sounding moving-iron cartridge; enormously musical." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 10/07
GRADO PHONO PREAMP
ALL GRADO PREAMPS ARE HANDMADE IN NEW YORK
PH1, $500, "Works equally well with high & low output cartridges. The sound is open & easy, with an expansive soundstage, natural highs & bass with texture, tonal refinement & power." ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED 10/07
GRADO HEADPHONES
GRADO HEADPHONES LISTED ARE HANDMADE IN N.Y.
SR60, $69, "For sheer musical enjoyment, these are hard to beat." BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE RECOMMENDED
"Full bass & excellent resolution of detail; forward midrange."
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, in same class as $150 headphones, STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
"The Mighty Mouse of headphones; superb midrange transparency & natural dynamics. Treble is well-balanced, bass is well-defined. It can be driven directly from an Apple iPod or other digital player. Comfortable." ABSOLUTE SOUND 10/07
SR125, $149, "Neutral, detailed & warm sounding; extended frequency extremes, wide dynamic range & the ability to sound natural at a wide range of volume levels. Never aurally or physically fatiguing. Both musical & revealing, amazingly comfortable, more than any other headphone. Grado's biggest bang for the buck."
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, in same class as $400 headphones, STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
SR225, $198, BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
SR325, $295, "Highly sophisticated & detailed sound with great extension." BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
"Greater treble extension & more efficient than another companies' $600 headphones." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
"A unique, hear-through-the-veils kind of transparency." ABSOLUTE SOUND 10/07
"For less than $650, you can achieve sound quality that typically costs thousands [with] Grado SR325 headphones & RA1 headphone amp. Grado headphones are chosen by the most discriminating sound pros." OPERA NEWS 10/02
RS1, $695, "Clearly a music lover's component." INNER EAR, vol 17, #3, 07
"I gravitate to these more than AKG K701 or Sennheiser HD650. Grado's luscious sound scores an immediate "wow" response. The hand-crafted, real-mahogany headphone has a technicolor-rich sound. l feel I'm right there with the musicians. l love these headphones. Speakers capable of delivering even a glimpse of these headphone's astonishing clarity live in the stratospheric price ranges." HOME ENTERTAINMENT 12/06
GS1000, $995, "As comfy to wear as they are romantic to listen to, these wooden air-chamber headphones fit the ear like a pair of foam canteloupes, inspiring long hours of effortless listening. Full-bodied with an extremely open soundstage." ABSOLUTE SOUND 10/07
"The Rolls Royce of headphones. The most alluring trait - the carrot that kept pulling me back in to listen to just one more recording - was its mind expanding soundstage." ABSOLUTE SOUND 1/08
"One of the finest transducers; detail to die for."
BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
GRADO Headphone Amp
ALL GRADO AMPS ARE HANDMADE IN NEW YORK
RA1, $350, "With a tube-like rendering of timbre & a sweet, relaxed sound, it makes extended headphone listening a joy. Although battery-driven, the RA1 is more at home in your equipment rack than on the road. A beautiful wooden case finishes off this gem."
ABSOLUTE SOUND 10/07
"A bargain. The perfect choice for high-end road warriors who demand portability without compromise." ABSOLUTE SOUND 1/08
"Provides high-end headphone amplification for any system. Teamed with a pair of Grado top-notch headphones, it promises a sumptuous personal listening experience." OPERA NEWS 12/00
"For less than $650, you can achieve sound quality that typically costs thousands [with] the Grado SR325 headphones & the RA1 headphone amp." OPERA NEWS 10/02
"Excellent value for the money. Clearly a music lover's component." INNER EAR, vol 17, #3, 07
KIMBER SPEAKER CABLE
ALL KIMBER KABLE IS U.S. MADE
"The braided construction resists hum. I use Kimber 4PR, 4TC, 8TC & Postmaster binding posts." A rated, Ivan Berger, AUDIO
4PR $2 / foot, HI-FI CHOICE, 12/06 RECOMMENDED
8PR $2 / foot, BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
8TC Speaker cable, $14/ft, SPEAKER CABLE of the YEAR,"Fine detail, liveliness, sonic neutrality & dynamic contrasts. Holographic soundstage. The cable of the decade, as we've used it for well over 15 years." ABSOLUTE SOUND 1/07
5 STAR, TOP RATED, WHAT HI-FI, 3/07
SENSIBLE SOUND RECOMMENDED
BIFOCAL-X Speaker cable, "Among the very best I've heard."
STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED
SELECT, GOLDEN EAR AWARD, ABSOLUTE SOUND 8/07
KIMBER INTERCONNECTS
HERO, $160, 1 M pair INTERCONNECTS of the YEAR,
"Lives up to its name - powerful & well defined."ABSOLUTE SOUND 1/07
STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED
KCAG, $490, 1 M pair "Astonishingly transparent",
STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED
SELECT KS2020, $260, 1M BEST DIGITAL INTERCONNECT "Distinct improvement in every system, budget to high end. Believe us, it works." EDITOR'S CHOICE, HI-FI CHOICE, 2/08
GOLDEN EAR AWARD, ABSOLUTE SOUND 8/07
SILVER STREAK, $260, 1 M pair "A major performance
breakthrough for the price." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED
TIMBRE, BEST BUY "Clean, extended & detailed"
HI-FI CHOICE, 12/06 RECOMMENDED
5 STAR, TOP RATED, above Audioquest, Monster & more, WHAT HI-FI, 3/07
KIMBER AC LINE CORD
PALLADIAN PK10, $1080, 8 foot, "Adds considerable transparency; music sounds more relaxed," ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED
POWER KORD 10, $195 for 5 feet RATED IN SAME CLASS AS $525 AC cable "Used in my system & noted tremendous difference." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
KIMBER DIGITAL CABLE
DIGITALINK, STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED
SELECT KS2020 EDITOR'S CHOICE, BEST
"Made a distinct improvement in every system, from budget
to high end" HI-FI CHOICE, 12/05 RECOMMENDED
ORCHID, $595/1 meter, "The best AES/EBU link I've used. Loved the midrange liquidity & detail. A stunner." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
MARANTZ CD's & DVD's
HI-FI CHOICE, 5/06, chose the top hi-fi models of all time. Marantz is the highest-rated CD. Only Marantz has two CDs on this list.
CD5001 CD, $299 5 STARS. WHAT HI-FI, 3/06
SA8001, list $1000; now $899 "Measured performance beyond reproach; SACD performance lovely, smooth, with significantly more body, naturalness & ease." A RATED, in same class as $30,000 CD players. STEREOPHILE 4/08
MARANTZ AV RECEIVERS
SR4001Stereo Receiver, list $600; now $469 "Smart, solid build; design & build quality of the receiver & remote are a high standard; measures well." WHAT HI-FI, 4/07
SR7002 list $1500, now $1399, "Impressive amplifier sonics & power anchor a fine mid-level contender. Solid audio power; AV performance beyond reproach. Easy to use & quite straightforward. Very solid ergonomic layout. Rated 110W/ch; tested at 150W, one channel, 133W, two channels.“SOUND & VISION 4/08
SR8002 list $2100, now $1999, "On the video side, its credentials are impeccable. Totally up to the minute in its support of next-gen sound. Sounded three dimensional even in two channel mode. Quite reasonably priced.“ Rated 125W/ch; tested at 187W, 8 ohm, 271W, 4 ohms. HOME THEATER 5/08
MARANTZ STEREO AMP & TUNER
PM7001 Stereo Integrated Amplifier, list $650, now $599, BEST INTEGRATED AMP UNDER $1000
“Detailed & expressive; exceptional value.” HI-FI CHOICE
Rated above Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer & more. WHAT HI-FI 3/07
ST7001 AM-FM-XM Tuner, list $450; now $399 BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
MARANTZ
HD PROJECTORS
VP11S1, list $20,000; now $14999, "One of the first 1080p DLP projectors, may be the best we've ever tested. One of the few that is first class with DVD, standard broadcasts & HD TV. HD movies look uniformly excellent. A superb projector. Difficult to imagine how it could be improved." HOME ENTERTAINMENT l2/06
VP15S1, list $10,000; now $8999, "This is how movies are supposed to look. Sumptuous color, glorious detail & & silky smooth performance." PERFECT VISION l/08
MARANTZ Turntable MADE IN GERMANY TT15S1, list $1700; now $1599 "Attractive, quiet & well damped. Startlingly full, coherent, dynamic sound; a goodwill ambassador for analog." Rated in same class as $2200 turntables. Includes CLEARAUDIO Virtuoso Wood cartridge. "Excellent transparency, midrange naturalness, extended treble, bass definition. The performance is so ear-opening that I recommend anyone thinking of spending $2500 on a cartridge consider buying this instead." Rated in same class as $3500 cartridges."STEREOPHILE 4/08
MISSION Speakers
M Cube, $1700, 5 speakers & sub, 5 stars, top rated, Rated above B&W, Canton, Focal, KEF, Linn, Tannoy & more. "Stunning; sound superb. Ultra-stylish, an amazing surround experience. Clarity & expression in abundance; sure-fire hit. Effortless & enveloping soundfield; even tonal balance & open delivery. Sub pumps out a fine amount of weight & authority. Small, perfectly formed & with excellent sound quality, just the ticket to unobtrusivehome cinema heaven." WHAT HI-FI, 3/05 & 11/06
BEST BUY "Clean attractive full-range stereo speaker. The sub does big bass for movie fans." Hi-Fi Choice, Awards
ELEGANTE e80, $899/pair, "Warm character, like traditional English monitors. Smooth treble; reproduced sophisticated hall ambience; detailed bass; biggest little speakers I've ever heard." ABSOLUTE SOUND 9/07
"Curvacous & contemporary, the 11" tall e80 offers easy listening, good timbre & bass extension that belies its size. Beautifully constructed; even without a sub, a very satisfying mini." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
ELEGANTE e82, $3000/pair, 5 stars, top rated, Rated above Bose, B&W, Canton, Focal, KEF, Linn, Mirage, Polk, Revel, Tannoy, Triad, Triangle, Vienna & more. "Combines looks, discretion & excellent sound." WHAT HI-FI, 3/07
MONITOR AUDIO RADIUS
"Versatile; midrange / treble transparency; midrange openness & clarity; bass warmth & smoothness. Excellent high-frequencies & transient speed; brings film soundtracks alive ." PERFECT VISION EDITOR'S CHOICE winter 2005
M5 BEST BUY "Clean, attractive full-range speaker, tthe sub does big bass for movie fans." HI-FI CHOICE, AWARDS 06
"Made with jewel-like precision; a serious bang-for-the-buck system. The 360 sub kicks harder; shines in a cozy bedroom or living-room home theater." HOME THEATER VISION 2007 annual
MONITOR AUDIO Speakers
RS1 , $599/pair, 5 STARS, rated above more expensive B&W, Canton, Dali, Focal, Jamo, KEF, Linn, Revel, Tannoy, Vienna & more. "Amazing sonic ability, outright resolution & detail, it bosses the rest of this competitive field." WHAT HI-FI, 11/06
"Very musical with plenty of detail; very fast. Excellent transient response." T3
RS6, $999/pair, "Gave me more listening pleasure than any other speaker I've reviewed. Superb extended bass. I couldn't find one shortcoming. May be the perfect affordable jazz speaker. " In same class as $8000 speakers. EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
BEST MID-PRICED SYSTEM "Sound far more exciting & dynamic than you'd expect. Impressive musicality & fine build quality in a compact package." HOME THEATER VISION 2007 annual
"Prodigious bass; punchy full bodied & deep." HOME THEATER
5 STARS, rated above more expensive B&W, Canton, Dali, Focal, Jamo, KEF, Linn, Revel, Tannoy, Vienna, etc. "Fantastic detail & insight. Sweet & refined high end, bass has remarkable weight, power & tautness." WHAT HI-FI, 3/07
EDITOR'S CHOICE "Clean & uncluttered sonics with whip-quick transients, excellent integration & superb bass. Smooth" PERFECT VISION winter 2005
GS10, $1499/pair, "Beautifully finished cabinet. Clean, detailed treble, weighty & reasonably extended low frequencies & dynamic range that belied the speaker's modest size." In same class as $13,000 speakers. STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
MONITOR AUDIO SUBS
RSW12, $1499/pair, 5 STARS. Rated above B&W, KEF, NHT, Sunfire & Velodyne. "Dramatic extension & drive; fast, agile balance, great timing & punch; beautiful cabinet; fairly small. Brilliant - a fine, fun sub that plays music & movies with terrific energy; awesome for money." WHAT HI-FI, 11/06
MONITOR AUDIO i-Pod dock
i-deck, list $300; now $179, "Best ipod audio dock; great sounding. Transforms any ipod into a micro system that sounds loud & proud. The looks, flexibility & sound quality of a good hi-fi micro system with plenty of kick to get a party started." WHAT HI-FI, 12/05
"Superb sound in a small package, at a great price. Smooth articulate midrange, crystalline highs & good bass. Gets extra points for having a mini jack input, so it can be used with any digital audio player, CD/DVD player or PC."
PERFECT VISION EDITOR'S CHOICE Winter 07
5 STARS, above Altec, Apple i-pod, Bose & Jamo. "Incredible sound per dollar value. Tremendous; healthy soundstage. As close to separates as you'll get for its price. The only unit rated 5 stars for sound & overall quality." WHAT HI-FI, 5/06
NAD Electronics
HI-FI CHOICE, 5/06, choose the top hi-fi models of all time,
including the NAD 3020 integrated amp.
PP-2, phono stage, MM & MC, $129 "Pleasant sounding"
Exceptional value, in same class as $1400 preamps.
STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 10/07
"Fine buy for a tight budget; open tonality & clarity distinctly impressive for the money." HI-FI CHOICE
C162 preamp, $599 "Plenty of resolution & 3 dimensionality; warmth & expressiveness; astonishingly good phono stage. Midrange open & well-defined; clear robust, full-bodied bass." ABSOLUTE SOUND 2007 Editor's Choice
C272, power amp, 150W/ch, $699 "Well balanced 3 dimensional; keeping with NAD tradition, sounds much more powerful than power ratings would suggest. Midrange sounds open & well-defined; clear robust, full-bodied bass."
ABSOLUTE SOUND 2007 Editor's Choice
C325BEE int. amp, 50W/ch, $399 LEAST EXPENSIVE RECOMMENDED AMP "One of the best bargains. Superb detail, tremendous dynamics & amazing musicality at a ridiculous low price." ABSOLUTE SOUND 2/07
"Notable midrange clarity & resolution, plus rocking dynamic headroom. Superb detail, excellent dynamics & amazing musicality, hour after pleasurable hour." ABSOLUTE SOUND 9/07
ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
INTEGRATED AMP of the YEAR "A new benchmark in performance-for-dollar. Exceptional. Despite its amazingly low price, it sounds like a powerhouse. A tremendously powerful, open & articulate presentation without the usual treble hardness & anemic bass of lesser amps." ABSOLUTE SOUND 1/08
“Fluid, articulate midrange; refined highs.” WHAT HI-FI 5/07
C372, integrated amp, 150W/ch, $999 EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, "Tested 300W, 8 ohms, 535W, 4 ohms, 940W, 2 ohms, 1450W, 1 ohm. Spacious, lovely sense of ease to the sound. Clean & quiet." STEREOPHILE RATED 4/08, in same class as $7,000 amps.
"Excellent bass, enormous power, over 200W, 8 ohms, 350W, 4 ohms.” HI-FI CHOICE 1/07
"Most power of any tested integrated amp, including Arcam, Cambridge, Creek, Evolution & Myryad." HI-FI CHOICE 8/07
C525 CD, $299 "One of the best bargains in audio. Superb detail, tremendous dynamics & an amazing musicality at a ridiculous low price." ABSOLUTE SOUND 2/07
C542 , CD, $499 "Warm, easy & open sound; overall musicality & value." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 2006 Editor's Choice 10/06
Top-rated; "Affordable quality"; rated above Creek, Denon, H-K, Rotel & more. WHAT HI-FI 3/07
C555 Turntable, $599, "A good budget turntable; shames many comparable CD players." HI-FI CHOICE 5/06
T973, AV power amp, 140W x 5 channels, $1999 "Solid power reserves, superior bass definition & warm upper treble."
ABSOLUTE SOUND, 2006 Editor's Choice 10/06
ORTOFON Phono Cartridges
ALL ORTOFON CARTRIDGES ARE MADE IN EUROPE
KONTRAPUNKT A, $799, "Well-defined, powerful sound. Excellent tonal balance; sets a standard at this price level." HIFI NEWS 11/06
"Rich extended bass, very well controIled; even at twice the price, a superbly musical perfomer & a genuine bargain." EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 10/04
KONTRAPUNKT B, $1299, "Astonished by how much musical information it retrieved from records; I could hear better what individual instruments were doing." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/05
KONTRAPUNKT C, $1649, "Images more presicely than any other cartridge in my experience, a function of its unsurpassed grip & control. The background is almost unbelieveably black, music emerging in bas-relief. Neutrality is absolute, resolution breathtaking. By any measure, an outstanding cartridge." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
SPU Meister Silver, $1499, "Thunderous dynamic peaks; one heck of a fine pickup." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 10/07
SALSA, $329, BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
MC WINFIELD, $3399, "Amazing neutrality." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 5/08
PARASOUND CLASSIC AMPS
Z PHONO phono preamp, $149 EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, favorably compares to $600 model, STEREOPHILE 10/07
"Excellently built & makes very nice sounds: large sound stage, excellent layering & bloom with remarkably good balance, dynamic range & detail." ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED 10/07
RECOMMENDED, SENSIBLE SOUND 12/07
2100, $599, Stereo Preamp, "I don't know of any other preamp witrh all these features - Subwoofer output with variable crossover; Phono input, switchable to moving magnet, moving coil or line; Remote control; Tone controls; & Front panel MP3 input. The sound is clean, transparent, airy in the highs, tight & controlled in the bass. Distortion is so low it couldn't be measured with our equipment." 11/07 ENJOY THE MUSIC .COM
5250, $2499, 250-385w x 5 channels BEST AMP UNDER $3000
"Parasound has always offered terrific value. Packs a tremendous punch with one of the best $ to watt ratios."
HOME THEATER VISION 2007 annual
PARASOUND HALO
STEREO AMPS
A21, power amp, $1999 "Very fine amp at exceptionally fair price. Midrange & bass excellent; sounded fundamentally similar to $20-40,000 amps." ABSOLUTE SOUND 1/07
"Excellent amp, 250W/ch/8 ohm, 400W/ch/4 ohm." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
Excellent powerhouse, 250W/ch John Curl design." ABSOLUTE SOUND 2/08
A23, power amp, $849 "Reasonably priced amp, musically quite involving." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
A23 & P3, preamp, $798 "Should be celebrated. Parasound has a solid reputation by offering high-value products that compete well with more expensive products." AVguide.com RECOMMENDED
A23 & P3 "A winning combination! Sexy in appearance, easy to use & sound solid & satisfying. Their sleek cases & glowing blue lights will make them showpieces in your living room & should earn them easy spousal approval." GOOD SOUND.COM 12/1/04
JC1 Power Amp $7000/pair EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, A RATED; "Powerful, refined, smooth, dynamic, transparent; rated at 400W, does 586W." Product of the year; in same class as $37,000 amps. STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
"The build & sound quality of my JC1 mono amps, my reference amps, is first rate. If they were made in America or Australia, it would cost a lot more than $7000/pr. Thirty grand for a pair of Halcros? I'll take the Parasounds. I heard both & I did." STEREOPHILE 12/05
"I [Sam Tellig] own a pair of JC1 amps. They're a steal at $7000 / pair. I've used the JC1's with 24 different speakers & never ran out of power. In a large room - especially one with cathedral ceilings & open space - you need increased power." STEREOPHILE 12/07
"A revelation; impressively coherent; transparent & detailed soundstage." STEREOPHILE 3/08
"Effortlessly powerful, silky smooth, crystal clear & abundantly detailed." ABSOLUTE SOUND 2/08
JC2 Preamp "Like the JC1, the JC2 is up there with the best of them, but down to earth in price. It can compete successfully against preamps, solid-state or tubes, that sell for twice the price - or more. It excels at the reproduction of space; it helps the JC1amps throw a huge soundstage." STEREOPHILE 12/07
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, A RATED;IN SAME CLASS AS $26,000 PREAMPS "Excellent reproduction of space; musis emerges intact with body, bloom, & dynamics, with definition & detail form an utterly silent background. Perhaps the finest solid-state line stage I've heard." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
"Remarkably detailed & shockingly realistic sound. Build quality is rock solid; parts quality absolutely first rate. The JC1 & 2 sound strikes a keen balance between offering superlative resolution & sounding beguilingly sweet & natural. I find myself being totally absorbed by CDs that previously bored me. It's worth your time to experience the Parasounds first hand. Bring your favorite music & hear it like never before." HOME ENTERTAINMENT 6/08
PARASOUND HALO AV Amps
C1 & A51 Surround sound controller / preamp & power amp,
EDITOR'S CHOICE "Powerful & flexible processor / power amp combo with impressive sound. Excellent value; includes onboard screen." HI-FI CHOICE, 12/05 RECOMMENDED
C2, $4000 Surround sound preamp, EDITOR'S CHOICE
"Uncanny mix of processing power, flexibility & extreme user friendliness. The automated speaker set-up & calibration functions are the best." PERFECT VISION winter 2005
"Plenty of sonic performance make the C2 one of the best values in the high end." HOME THEATER 2/04
A52, $1999 "This 5x125 watt amp has warm, natural sound."
ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE, 10/06
"Those who prize flexibility will appreciate RCA & balanced inputs & individual channel level controls . Warm, natural, never edgy sound."
PERFECT VISION winter 2005
PIONEER VIDEO
PERFECT VISION, SOUND & VISION and POPULAR SCIENCE all top-rate the Pioneer 50" 1080p plasma.
THE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR; TV / VIDEO PRODUCT OF THE YEAR. SOUND & VISION 3/08
"The sharpest, most vivid picture you'll find on any TV. Pioneer's new sets produce deep, rich blacks; effectively removes fuzzy "video noise" & eliminates the choppiness of DVD movies by taking 24 frames-per-second film content & generating additional frames to match the 60 frames / second of TV." POPULAR SCIENCE 12/07
"The best flat-panel TV. Crisp high-def picture, clean upconversion of
standard-def programs, cutting-edge video processing & impressively deep, detailed shadows make it a serious pleasure for watching movies." SOUND & VISION 11/07
"Without question, the best plasma ever. My jaw hit the floor. It was the most beautiful picture I've ever seen on a plasma TV. Astounding contrast. unbeIivable blacks, lifelike color, exquisite detail." PERFECT VISION Winter 08
PRO-JECT TURNTABLES
ALL MADE IN EUROPE & INCLUDE TONEARM & CARTRIDGE
DEBUT III, $299-329, depending on finish; EXCEPTIONAL
VALUE, lowest priced recommended table, includes Ortofon cartridge "impressive imaging & dynamics; the ideal beginner's table," STEREOPHILE 4/08
Nominated Analog Component of the Year, STEREOPHILE, 12/06
BEST UNDER $500; INCREDIBLE VALUE. "compact, nicely finished; ideal beginner's table." above Goldring, Sota, Technics & more. WHAT HI-FI, 12/05
"A revelation. Excellent value; I don't know of a turntable that sounds better for less." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 7/07
"Offers music lovers a lot of analog virtues, like warmth & naturalness at a bargain price." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 10/07
"Dynamic & open sound. Impressive overall look, fit & finish. Everything carefully thought out. Tremendous bargain. Great-sounding, affordable, easy-to-live-with turntable that brings your LP's back to life." SOUND & VISION, 7/07
"Easy to set up; a great maturity in size & presentation of sound. Excellent value for money in both build quality & performance. Good tonearm offers potential for better cartridges." HiFi NEWS 11/06
Debut III USB, $449-329, "Sound quality excellent; exhibited the relaxed warmth that makes analog addictive. Musically reliable yet affordable. I loved having this turntable." HOME THEATER, 5/08
RECOMMENDED, STEREOPHILE 5/08
Xpression, $449 BEST BUY "Well designed; revealing sound"
HI-FI CHOICE, 12/05 RECOMMENDED
BEST BUY; great value, sounds remarkable" above Goldring, Sota, Technics & more. WHAT HI-FI, 3/07
RM5 $649 "Best complete turntable under $1k. HI-FI CHOICE 12/06
BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
"Major step up in sonics from Debut III with a superior tonearm, less resonant platter & better isolation. Soundstage had better focus & more separation. More fine detail." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 7/07
"Sonic performance is a major surprise, aided by a carbon-fiber tonearm, tear-shaped plinth & isolation feet. It's a step up from entry-level tables & will appeal to audiophiles looking for more resolution, control & realism, as well as a more flexible platform for tweaking." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 10/07
"A security to the soundstage & sonic definition that you can't get with cheaper tables. Great looks, excellent value." HI-FI CHOICE 5/06
RM5SE $899 "Nicely balanced, remarkable rhythmic incisiveness, swift transient attack, nice overall dynamic range, open soundstage." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 3/08
Xperience, $999, 5 Stars, twice Product of the Year; above Goldring, Sota, Technics & more. WHAT HI-FI, 3/07
BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
RM9.1 $1499, TURNTABLE of the YEAR, "Sound smooth & detailed, wide soundstage. Surprising lack of groove & surface noise." ABSOLUTE SOUND 1/07
"Pro-ject has made an already good design much better without raising the price. It includes a superior arm & cartridge" ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/06
"Compared to the RM5, this has an added dimensionality, a more relaxed & natural sound, more dynamically explosive & engaging. A great combination & quite the deal." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 7/07
"Made music sound vibrant & very enjoyable. Quite honest in its presentation of texture, shape & color in sound." HI-FI NEWS 11/06
BEST TURNTABLE UNDER $2000. "Pro-ject is one of the great turntable success stories & has a great reputation. A bargain in material & sonic terms; open, clear & thoroughly engaging sound." HI-FI CHOICE 12/06
BEST BUY "Great reputation; highly desirable; gorgeous;
sounds as good as it looks." HI-FI CHOICE, 12/05
"Better transients; greater musical drive & excitement,"
STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 10/05
"Perfomance comparable to models for far, far more; features found only on more costly models: massive belt-driven 1.5" acrylic platter; physically isolated motor; carbon-fiber gimbal tonearm. Fine arm for any table; high rigidity, good control of resonances & VTA, VTF, azimuth & anti-skating adjustments." AVguide.com RECOMMENDED
RM10, $2499, "Impressively well balanced, rich & warm." In same class as $7500 turntables. STEREOPHILE 10/07
GOLDEN EAR AWARD "Improves upon the fine performance of the RM9.1 by adding a longer arm, a more massive plinth & platter, an isolation base & magnetic repulsion. These enhancements produce blacker backgrounds, more solidity in the bass & a cleaner window on the soundstage." ABSOLUTE SOUND, 10/07
PRO-JECT PHONO PREAMPS
Pro-ject Phono Box, $129, BEST BUY; 5 STARS "works wonderfully; brings out the best in under $600 tables" rated above Linn, Musical Fidelity, etc. WHAT HI-FI, 12/05
"Clarity, focus & pacing impressive for a phono preamp costing so little." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
Pro-ject Phono Box USB, $179, GREATEST BARGAIN, ABSOLUTE SOUND 5/08
Pro-ject Tube Box, $549, "Sturdily built, attractive & compact; a relaxing, graceful sound; rich tubey sound, suprisingly quiet." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 10/07
QUAD DYNAMIC SPEAKERS
ABSOLUTE SOUND, 10/07, recommends six QUAD speakers, both dynamics & electrostatics, the most of any brand.
11L Bookshelfs, $749/pair Product of the Year, BEST BUY, above B&W, Dali, Focal, Tannoy & others. WHAT HI-FI "Exceedingly involving, transparent, powerful, performance on all music. Excellent frequency extension for their modest size & price point, they have a slight warmth, which contributes to their uniquely intimate & cozy charm." ABSOLUTE SOUND 11/07
22L Towers, $1798/pr "Closer to my beloved electrostats than any other speaker under $2000. Excellent imaging, vivid & 3-D soundstaging, very low distortion & accuracy for overall musical rightness. Stunning build quality with exquisite finishes." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
Lite System, 4 satellites, center & sub, $2000 total,THE BEST $2000 HOME THEATER SPEAKER SYSTEM. "Sounds incredibly refined & rich in textural details - drop dead gorgeous woodwork." PERFECT VISION, 1/08
PRODUCT of the YEAR. BEST BUY, Rated above Bose, B&W, Canton, Focal, KEF, Morel, Polk & more. "5 stars, top-rated; impressive, top-performing." WHAT HI-FI, 11/06
"Natural clarity & vibrant, lifelike textures. Like other great Quad speakers, they had an uncanny ability to reveal subtle details without overemphasizing them. Its clear natural sound is incredibly engaging & compelling; a fine performer" ABSOLUTE SOUND 11/07
"The British firm Quad has been revered for 50 years [for]groundbreaking design [with] mind-boggling clarity & sonic purity. Exceptional build quality; truly beautiful woodwork. Remarkably clear sound, energetic, sure-footed & authoritative. Delivers clarity & gusto. Class leading sub; great power, clarity & bass that goes very deep. Reproduces instruments & voices with natural clarity & vibrant, life-like textures. Guests asked if they could buy the review samples. TOP-RATED in transparency, focus, tonal balance, bass pitch definition & value. RECOMMENDED by PERFECT VISION, 7/07
QUAD ELECTROSTATICS
HI-FI CHOICE chose the top hi-fi of all time. Quad is the highest ranked speaker. "The British Gold Standard; the first practical full-range electrostatic; wide dynamics & delicate transparency weaves a spell that is unmatched."
ESL988, A rated, "World class resolution, superb, stable soundstaging, spectacular transient response" In same class as $50,000 speakers, STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 10/07 5 Star, top rated, above B&O, B&W, Bose, Dali, Dynaudio, Revel & more. WHAT HI-FI, 12/05
"It will play at natural levels with a purity & accuracy will spoil you." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
ESL989, A rated, Product of the Year, In same class as $40,000 speakers, "Satisfying bass, out-standing midrange, top-notch imaging, wall-to-wall sound staging, smoothness, focus, spectacular transient response" STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED, 4/08
"It will play louder with deeper bass than the 988." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
ESL2805, A rated, SPEAKER of the YEAR, RATED ABOVE $40,000 models. "The world's greatest speaker; distortion is eliminated, perhaps more than any other speaker. Timing is so quick it sounds just like live. Supremely transparent, free of coloration; phenomanally quick, utterly nonfatiguing." STEREOPHILE, 4/08
"The best ESL yet from Quad speakers; compelling realism & naturalness." ABSOLUTE SOUND 2/08
"One has the feeling of being right in the room with the performer. They play considerably louder than previous models. The bass is cleaner & faster." Hi-Fi + 10/07
"Uniquefully wonderful; natural realism, exceptional imaging, coherence & detail." EDITOR'S CHOICE HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
GREATEST BARGAIN, ABSOLUTE SOUND 5/08
ESL2905, "Possibly the world's best speaker." HI-FI CHOICE 1/07
5 Star, top-rated, rated above B&W, JBL & more WHAT HI-FI, 3/07
QUAD SOLID STATE ELECTRONICS
99 Remote control Preamp, $899, 5 Star, top-rated, rated above Linn, Myryad, Rotel & more WHAT HI-FI, 3/07
"Dandy MM & MC phono stage; tone correction works like a charm" ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/06
BEST BUY HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
99CDP CD player, $1399, "Lively, vital; powerful; warmth, richness & delicacy. Its high quality built-in volume control can drive amp directly." ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED
"TOP RATED" HI-FI CHOICE 1/07
5 Star, top-rated above Meridian, Myryad, Rega & more.
WHAT HI-FI, 12/05
99 Power Amp, $899, 5 Star, top-rated, above Arcam, Linn & more. WHAT HI-FI, 12/05
"TOP RATED" HI-FI CHOICE 1/07
909 Power Amp, $1399, 5 Star, top-rated, above Arcam, Audio Research, Linn, Moon, Rotel & more. WHAT HI-FI, 3/07
"Sound quality sets benchmark for its size & price. Its midrange is near state-of-the-art; an ease, relaxation & naturalness that sweep mere hi-fi aside." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
BEST BUY HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
QUAD SUBWOOFERS
L Sub, $1499, Product of the Year; above B&W, KEF, NHT, Sunfire, Velodyne & more. WHAT HI-FI, 11/06
Lite Sub, $1000,"5 stars, top-rated; Compact yet muscular; an excellent all-arounder." WHAT HI-FI, 11/06
QUAD TUBE AMPLIFIERS
HI-FI CHOICE, 5/06, chose the top hi-fi of all time, including a Quad Tube Preamp & Amp. The other tube amp chosen is over 10 times more.
Quad II Classic Power Amp, $2700/pr. "A real honey. Delicious rich, smooth & colorful midrange. Renders strings, voices, winds, saxes & more with sweetness, delicacy & beauty." ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED
RATED in SAME CLASS as amps for over $7000; EXCEPTIONAL VALUE "Exhibiting timbral beauty, spatial honesty & deep emotional involvement, there isn't a sweeter amp on earth; it's beautiful." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
QUAD II 80 Amp mono, $10,000/pair One of the top 10 designs from 2008 Consumer Electronic Show "This 80 watt monoblock tube amp follows Peter Walker's traditions & philosophy & the result is a winner. It has the grunt & low impedance to drive many a difficult speaker & is an ideal match for Quad's own line of electrostatic speakers." ENJOY the MUSIC.com 1/08
QC24 Preamp $899 "First-rate imaging; lively, engaging, remarkably neutral." ABSOLUTE SOUN
D EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/06
QUICKSILVER TUBE AMPS
ALL HANDMADE IN COLRADO
MID MONO monoblocks, $1895/pair, RATED in SAME CLASS as amps for $7595. "Beautiful, 50W/ch 4 or 8 ohms, very gppd resolution; tube sweetness & warmth." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
SET MONO monoblocks, $2800/pair, RATED in SAME CLASS as amps for $7595. "Exhibited the clarity, purity & immediacy commonly associated with SETs." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
REGA CARTRIDGES made in England
"The Exact cartridge has good transient speed & openness. It doesn't have the "zippy" top end of many comparatively priced moving coils, yet rivals their detail & bass extension. The Exact should be compatible with just about any preamp, including low-gain tube types. It produces a strikingly low-level of groove noise." ABSOLUTE SOUND 9/05
REGA CD PLAYERS made in England APOLLO, $1195, PRODUCT OF THE YEAR "Does more things well than any other in its price class. Resolution & detail are spectacular for the money. Focus & extended response at both frequency extremes. Breakthrough performance via some radical design advancements: an all new transport, CD control chipset & system software." ABSOLUTE SOUND 1/07
Exceptional Value, Rated in same class as $6000 CD players. "Very strongly recommended. Smokes players that sell for twice the price! Far more value, in sound quality terms, than anything else I've heard at or near the price." STEREOPHILE 4/08
"Highly praiseworthy peformer" BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
SATURN, $2595, A Rated, Exceptional Value, in same class as $30,000 CD players. "Faster, more open & a more detailed, more delicate sound, with greater treble extension & tighter bass." STEREOPHILE 4/08
"The music hangs magically in the air between the speakers. When I close my eyes, the singer might as well be in the room, it is that spooky. Offers hauntingly intoxicating music & singing in a non-fatiguing, nearly analog-like presentation. Fun & easy to listen to. Nuances of instrumental timbre transmitted perfectly with superior musical realism." JAZZ TIMES 07
"Delivers performance with great poise, precision & range."
BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE
REGA integrated ampsmade in England MIRA 3, $1195, EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, in same class as $7,000 amps. "Outstanding without being ostentatious. Purist design with remote control & moving magnet phono stage. Warm, rich, full bodied sound, lots of dynamic drive, very smooth & sweet through the midrange. I loved it! Excellent sound, nice features & outstanding value." STEREOPHILE 4/08
BRIO 3, $695, EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, in same class as $2,200 amps. "Harmonically rich, providing full-bodied bass, smooth midrange & sweet treble. Excellent build quality & exceptional value. I know of nothing better at anywhere near the price." STEREOPHILE 4/08
"Very good sounding, well built at a fair price. The inclusion of a real phono stage is a nice touch." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
REGA SPEAKERS made in England
R1, $595, "Coherent & involving." BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
R7, $2795, BEST BUY, "Super-slim & super-smooth floorstander has fine agility."involving." HI-FI CHOICE
R9, $4495, "A very musical & enjoyable loudspeaker. High performance & value. Coherent & detailed presentation; the top end was beautifully smooth & natural." HI-FI PLUS #31
BEST BUY, "Very superior dynamic range, especially in the bass." HI-FI CHOICE
REGA Turntables & Tonearms
ALL MADE IN ENGLAND & INCLUDE TONEARM
P1, $395, TURNTABLE of YEAR, includes Ortofon cartridge "The pace, rhythm & musicality Rega is famous for are all here, but without the frequency extension or wide dynamics of more costly models. Terrific sounding, highly involving & highly affordable."
ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED 1/08
"The best value in vinyl playback. Excellent focus & 3 dimensionality." ABSOLUTE SOUND 7/07
"Highly recommended. This marks the first time that a designer whose work ranks with the very best has created an audio component this affordable. High quality & value."
STEREOPHILE 10/07
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P3 & Elys 2 cartridge, $1095, EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD "Refinements, more air & detail, better imaging & lower noise than earlier versions." ABSOLUTE SOUND 10/06 "Builds on the strengths of the P2 with added subtlety & detail."
HI-FI CHOICE 5/06
BEST BUY, HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
"Solid bass foundation with nice tonal; warmer sweeter, more refined sound." ABSOLUTE SOUND 3/08
P5 Turntable, $1395, EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD "A Iow vibration / low coloration design; as close to set it & forget it as you're likely to find." ABSOLUTE SOUND 10/06
"One of the most musical front ends I've heard at anywhere near its price. I prefer its overall musicality to just about any digital system, as well as to several more expensive analog rigs. Compared to a Rega P3, the P5 is quieter, had tighter & deeper bass, a more three-dimensional soundstage& better highs. [While] the P3 is quite the bargain, the P5 is noticeably superior & worth the extra cost. If you believe your audio system should help eliminate stress rather than increase it, the P5 will prove highly rewarding. Its engaging musicality, easy setup & ease of use should delight music lovers." ABSOLUTE SOUND 9/05
"Gets the musical essentials down right"; Rated in same class as $2200 turntables. STEREOPHILE 4/08
BEST BUY, "Great sense of timing, market leading resolution & phenomenal tonearm - hard act to beat." HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
P7 Turntable, $2695, "Greater measure of musical insight" rated in same class as $7500 tables. STEREOPHILE 10/07
BEST BUY, "Highly capable, coulds hold its own in the most exalted company - a vivid & natural performer." HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
P9 Turntable, $4995, EDITOR'S CHOICE, "Exceptionately elegant hi-tech player with ceramic platter & wonderful tonearm." HI-FI CHOICE 2/08
RB300 Tonearm, $395, LEAST EXPENSIVE RECOMMENDED TONEARM "Terrific sounding & affordable."
ABSOLUTE SOUND 2/08
REL SUBWOOFERS
T1, $999, "A class act, with real control & savage profundity. Very musical, it held onto a deep & changing bass throb with proper grip. Compact & good-looking with great output, scores a top mark by the sheer synergy of all it does." HOME CINEMA CHOICE 2/07
"Exceptionally tuneful, unmuddied bass. Flexible small size lets it fit into almost any room. A great sub." SOUND & VISION 5/08
ROGUE TUBE AMPLIFIERS
ALL MADE IN U.S.
METIS Preamp, $995 LEAST EXPENSIVE RECOMMENDED PREAMP. ABSOLUTE SOUND 2/08
"Dynamic liveliness & harmonic richness of good tubes. Sound balanced & finely resolved from top to bottom." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/06; PRODUCT of the YEAR
"Low price & impressive sound; I've owned several of their products; recommended. Upper end transparency & smoothness & a tight bottom end with an ability to keep the sound clean when cranked up. Acts, feels & looks like a high end preamp, but it is priced at a lot less than what an audiophile would expectfor this level of performance." AUDIOPHILE VOICE 3/07
ATLAS Power Amp, $1495, 55W/ch "When I got this amp, I didn't know its cost. After examining its high grade steel chassis, silver anodized face plate, chunk of brick transformers, I guessed $5000. All Rogues are tested for 24 hours & retested. We tested 100W/ch 4 & 8 ohm. A spectacular success - lively, enjoyable, ideal entry to High End on a budget." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 3/07
"A spectacular success - lively, enjoyable, ideal entry to High End on a budget." STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/08
"Low price & impressive sound; I've owned several of their products; recommended. Upper end transparency & smoothness & a tight bottom end with an ability to keep the sound clean when cranked up." AUDIOPHILE VOICE 3/07
STEREO 90 Power amp, 90W/ch $2295 "The best of modern tube virtues - famous sugar & spice midrange, clear extended sweet highs & powerful bass. Soundstage is particularly fine; extremely satisfying." ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED 5/06
"Rich tube treble & midrange with gutsy controlled bass & a brilliant clarity unusal in its class. It makes all music sound right." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE 10/07
MONO 150, $4495, "Solid high end performance. Impressively balanced performers & musically impressive. An epiphany in high power tube design." HI-FI PLUS #31
SUMIKO Phono Cartridges
BLUE POINT SPECIAL II $299, "Offers improved resolution, superior three-dimensionality, richer & more potent bass & smoother, less aggressive highs. A huge step up from entry-level cartridges available." ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED 10/07
LEAST EXPENSIVE RECOMMENDED CARTRIDGE, ABSOLUTE SOUND 2/08
PHONO CARTRIDGE of the YEAR "Affordable, easy-to live with, high-output moving coil cartridge. Compared to most like-priced competitors, it offers three compelling advantages: superior resolution of low-level sonic details, faster & more precise transient response, & a heightened ability to produce broad, spacious, three-dimensional soundstages. It offers significant improvements over the Bluepoint Oyster, a richer & more powerful bass & markedly smoother highs." ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED 10/07
BLUE POINT SPECIAL EVOIII $399,
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, "Tight clarity, rhythmic certainty & excellent tracking", STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 4/07
"One of the best entry level, high output, moving cartridges available." ABSOLUTE SOUND EDITOR'S CHOICE
BEST BUY "Refinement at high frequencies & a nimble, artculate & revealing sound." HI-FI CHOICE
BLACKBIRD $799, "This high-output moving coil is smooth yet detailed, with a wide soundstage & fine low-end authority. Midrange instruments are particularly seductive." ABSOLUTE SOUND 10/07
"Strong points are the power, extension & focus of bass. Wide-open soundstage, plenty of detail & shimmering, well-balanced top end with no hint of brightness or edge." In same class as $1600 cartridges. STEREOPHILE RECOMMENDED 10/07
WHARFEDALE SPEAKERS
HI-FI CHOICE, 5/06, chose the top hi-fi of all time. The only budget speakers chosen are Wharfedale Diamonds.
Diamond 9.0, Product of the Year, BEST BUY; "Great sound from tiny cabinets;" rated above B&W, Bose, Dali, Epos, Focal, KEF, Tannoy & more. WHAT HI-FI 3/07
Diamond 9.1, $349 / pair. "Reviewer's dream. Dynamic articulation & soundstage I'd expect from a $2000 speaker; superb value; superb measured performance." In same class as $1800 speakers. STEREOPHILE 10/07
"Best possible product at the lowest possible price. Blindingly fast & extremely clean, a remarkably able performer." HI-FI+ 10/07
Nominated Budget Component of the Year, STEREOPHILE, 12/06
5 STARS; rated above B&W, Bose, Epos, Focal, KEF, Tannoy & more. WHAT HI-FI 3/07
Diamond 9.6 Tower, list $1000, now $888/pr "Class leading bass, excellent transients, wide, stable image...watch their musicality unfold." ABSOLUTE SOUND RECOMMENDED
Diamond SW150 Sub, $449. BEST SUB under $600; rated above more expensive B&W, Energy, Jamo, KEF, Linn, Tannoy & more. WHAT HI-FI 3/07
Diamond SW250 Sub, $799. 5 STARS, top-rated; Product of the Year, BEST BUY; rated above B&W, Energy, Jamo, KEF, Linn, Tannoy & more. WHAT HI-FI 3/07
YAMAHA AV RECEIVERS
RXV661 list $550, now $429 "Well designed; well thought-out sound modes that will actually enhance your enjoyment of movies & music. An excellent home theater experience. Easy to set up & use. Sound crisp & detailed." PERFECT VISION 12/07
RXV1800 list $1300, now $1199 MOST AFFORDABLE RECEIVER OF THE YEAR, "Top quality processor & scaler that converts any video to 1080P, on-board decoding for Dolby Digital Plus & DTS-HD Master Audio, easy automated set-up. [also, XM radio, automatic EQ, many useful sound processing modes & more] Fine sonically." SOUND & VISION 1/08
"Excellent audio performance; top-flight video scaler & other modern features." SOUND & VISION 4/08
YAMAHA SPEAKERS
YSP3000, $1,199 "Succeeds technically & aesthetically, providing convincing multichannel sound & keeping its physical prescence to a minimum. It measures your room's acoustics & adjusts the sound to suit. Its surround modes are the real prize & you can access each one quickly using the remote." HOME ENTERTAINMENT 6/08
YSP4000, list $1,800; now $1,599 THE ONLY SOUND BAR CERTIFIED & RECOMMENDED; TOP RATED OF 7 MODELS "The most sophisticated soundbar. Sound quality immediately impressive. Vocals properly warm & detailed, with an even tonal balance. Surround modes excellent. Of the seven sound bars tested, this one did the best job of making sounds seem to originate from places where there were no speakers." SOUND & VISION 4/08
YAMAHA SUBWOOFERS
YSTFSW100, $179 "Plenty of punch & control from a small, attractive unit." Least expensive recommended sub; equals $1000 Sunfire subs, Jamo, KEF & more. WHAT HI-FI Sound & Vision 11/06
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