While fairly expensive at $17K, the Epifania thrilled us with its “pleasing tonality, unique looks and substantial build quality.” This valve preamp also excelled at ambience retrieval, making it an excellent tool for hearing deep into recordings. Since it’s produced in small quantities, you’ll probably be the only one on your block with one of these, but it may “be the centerpiece of your stereo for life!”

These premium power cords are exceedingly neutral in tone and are aimed at getting more music from your system, as opposed to acting as “fine-tuners.” Cryogenically-treated, the ESPs will not affect the overall tonality of fine audio gear and are perfect for audiophiles already pleased with the sound of their reference systems but want just a little more of everything.

This small two-box phono stage is virtually plug-and-play and will have you spinning your favorite records in no time. Using the highest-quality parts, the solid-state Circa sounds good that your digital front end “may start collecting dust.” It serves up “great dynamics, musical tonality and ease of use,” and the build quality is superb.

These understated yet beautiful stand-mounted loudspeakers feature a ribbon tweeter, 6-inch woofer and a beautiful cabinet made from laminated bamboo (in its SE version). Designed in Seattle and built in China, the F200s were very room-friendly, versatile, and offered a neutral presentation that is clear and extended on top. If you love British monitors but want just a little more sparkle in the treble, these may be the ticket.

While a $5000 cartridge should offer unparalleled sound quality, this Dynavector moving-coil offers exquisite tonality and timbre and was our first choice to mount on the $60,000 Continuum Criterion turntable. It requires precise set-up, but once everything is dialed in you should hear an astounding level of resolution mated with a natural tonal character. It’s a great tracker, too!

This tiny, almost pocket-sized phono stage offered a huge sound for just $750 and may be the perfect match for the very popular Rega P3-24/Dynavector 10X5 combination. In fact, the sound quality is so good that Dynavector could have placed this circuit in a bigger box and charged two or three times as much. Kudos to Dynavector for keeping it real…real small.

This “great affordable benchmark” is an updated of a true classic, the original Karat, and is one of the most neutral cartridges available at any price.¨Ü (It even measures that way!) It won’t satisfy those looking for a warm, dreamy sound, but it does offer “a ton of detail with a very high degree of tonal accuracy.” If you’re looking for a cartridge in the sub-$1000 range, the Dynavector 17D3 should be on your short list.

Understated in appearance, these small Dynaudio monitors caused us to shout “Wow!” when we first plugged them in. The build quality is amazingly high-they’re Danish, after all-and we loved the “healthy amount of nuance” they offered. While it’s easy to make a good speaker for $2500, the Contour S1.4 is proof that it’s possible to make a great one at this price point as well.

The perfect power cord for audiophiles who aren’t quite ready to “jump off the cliff” for the expensive stuff, the DH Labs sounds very good and is built to robust standards right here in the US. You won’t get fancy packaging or cryogenics or state-of-the-art connectors, but you will lower noise and increased dynamics over stock power cords.

This premium power cord offered noticeably better performance than stock power cords, and at $220 for a 2-meter version they won’t break the bank. We found that upgrading to the Red Wave provided about the same amount of sonic improvement as moving from cheap Chinese tubes to “spendy NOS equivalents” on our favorite valve amps.¨Ü After everything else is dialed in, the Red Waves can be “damn good!”

Not only do these small stand-mounted active monitors have built-in 250wpc amps for the 8″ subwoofers, but the midrange driver and tweeter are 92 dB sensitive so you can “add an SET amp and still rock out.” We enjoyed the fact that the 700s had a lot of punch thanks to the subs, and that they are small and unobtrusive and will work well with any source.

Simple yet beautiful, these compact floorstanders wound up being our favorites in the very competitive $3000 to $4000 range. Unusually refined, the Super 8s won’t hit you over the head with their greatness but will slowly reveal their strengths (smooth, extended bass and extraordinary imaging and soundstaging) over time. We know at least four equipment reviewers who wound up writing a check for them.

While only 30wpc, the Aries is single-ended and “each one of those watts counts.” This Class A, zero-feedback design uses an 845 tube from RCA/Cunningham to produce a sound that is “pure, lifelike and quite rich and meaty.” We feel that the Aries 845-G is the perfect compromise for someone who likes the sound of SETs but needs a little more power.

These large monitors are unique in that they can be used with or without stands. The wood veneers, made from renewable resources, are exceptionally attractive as well. The DA-2s provided a laid-back presentation that felt organic and will appeal to listeners who want to be “music lovers” instead of audiophiles, which makes sense when you consider that they were designed and built by a musician.

This Canadian amp had “stunning good looks and high build quality” while offering plenty of low-level detail amid an amazingly low noise floor. While the sound will never be mistaken for “tube-like,” the CA-2100 did many things a valve amplifier cannot, like bringing out “the tiny details in the recording that will keep your interest piqued.”

These Class-D monoblocks are small and chunky in size, but they have tons of “dynamic capability and very powerful, controlled bass.” They’re also versatile and played well with almost any speaker we could throw at them. Ultimately we felt that the D-100s had “big performance, quality and value in a compact package.”

Not many entry-level audio products cost $60,000, but this ‘table/arm combo from Australia still basks in the shadow of its $125,000 older brother, the Caliburn. We found it to offer the best analog sound we’ve heard, but it made us feel guilty about our mortgages and our childrens’ college funds. It’s a breathtaking product for the discerning few.

If you still need to be convinced about the sonic superiority of vinyl in an age of excellent digital sound, the TEA-1 phono preamplifier will remind you why you bought that expensive turntable in the first place. This tubed unit is CJ’s statement product¨Ü in terms of analog playback, and it sounded “precise, glorious, severely transparent and full of natural energy.”

It’s no secret that these amplifiers have remained the reference at the TONE mothership almost since the beginning, considering that they work well with every loudspeaker that has come through the door. The 350 offers almost unlimited power as well as an unprecedented level of realism, even at modest SPLs. In our book, the Premier 350 is “as good as it gets.”

An enhanced triode design, this 250wpc amplifier provides the “punch, power and control” of solid-state with a warmth typical of tubes, straddling the sonic attributes of both technologies. The volume can be turned way up on this baby without inducing fatigue, and you may find this to be the one amp with which you “could live happily ever after.”

Despite its small chassis, the solid-state CA200 offers 185wpc and uses some of the same circuitry as the Premier 350 power amplifier and Premier 18LS preamplifier. This model isn’t “your Dad’s CJ anymore,” offering a sound that is accurate, powerful and dynamic. If you’re not excessively obsessed about audio, the CA-2100¨Ü “will be all you’ll ever need.”

At $25K, the ART 3 preamplifier may cost more than most audiophile’s entire systems, but this limited edition C-J¨Ü had us muttering the dreaded B-word (“best”) over and over. We also speak with Lew Johnson about this state-of-the-art design and how it came to fruition, revealing how the ART series 3 is worth every single penny of its asking price.

We’ve had the privilege of listening to many great preamplifiers over the years, but we absolutely love this C-J due to its combination of “musical involvement and neutrality coupled with accuracy.” The ultimate reviewing tool, the ACT 2 series 2 delivered the maximum amount of resolution without harshness, and we felt that it represented the pinnacle of audio performance.

Designed to be placed under turntables, this wall-mounted shelf combines carbon fiber and acrylic and works wonders for vinyl lovers who have listening rooms with suspended floors. Increased volume levels were enjoyed as well, which makes this a worthwhile analog accessory once audiophiles have everything else dialed in.

This $1000 cartridge blurs the performance line between moving coil and moving magnet designs and may be the most balanced MM cartridge we’ve heard. Warm and romantic like an entry-level Koetsu, the Maestro will elevate the performance of Regas and SL-1200s to new levels, and may also find a place as a “daily driver” in some very expensive analog rigs as well.

These German floorstanding towers were finished in silver lacquer that highlighted the aluminum woofers, but the sound was surprisingly laid-back and not in the least metallic. Bass was “nice and taut,” and the 807 DCs offered a “great full range sound that was very easy to listen to.” While they won’t rock at ear-splitting levels, they are a “strong contender in the $3500 category.”

Digital-to-analog converters are making a big comeback due to some of the newer technologies, and this tiny two-box unit took our iPods to “another level of transparency and dynamics.” This unit becomes even more affordable by using a wall-wart transformer instead of the outboard power supply, but for $775 total you can have a sound that might have been “the death of analog” if the VDA-2 had been introduced 20 years ago.

This relatively affordable amp-preamp combo from the legendary ultra-high-end audio company is dead quiet both electrically and mechanically, and was “exhilarating to listen to on a number of levels.” Possessing the same level of fit and finish as their flagship line of products, this pair was more than happy to be split up and used with other brands but offered an unusually high level of synergy together.

This kit phono stage is “DIY gear at its finest” due to the thorough instructions and the excellent results. Once built, this $325 phono stage easily competed with much more expensive commercial designs, and with an upgraded power cord and NOS tubes it went a few more clicks up the scale. “Fire up the soldering iron and enjoy this one!” we exclaimed.

“Small but mighty” is how we described this versatile DAC, and felt it was excellent at elevating the performance of affordable digital transports. We also appreciated the fact that Benchmark includes a headphone jack in the DAC-1, and that the whole package was extremely neutral in sound. The Benchmark was the very first recipient of ourOutstanding Value Award.

This solid-state preamplifier was a “real KAPOW experience” due to its stunning dynamics and powerful presentation. Bass control, texture and definition were sublime, causing us to place the BAT at the top of the $6000 to $7000 preamp heap. Even the $500 phono section option was well worth it-at least until you save enough money for one of BAT’s $10K models.

The middle model in BAT’s P10 phono stage line features dual mono power transformers, making this component heavier and more substantial than most integrated amplifiers. Despite a full complement of tubes, this phono preamp sounds “dynamic and tonally accurate” with just a touch of romance. “The difference is in the subtlety,” we found, noting that the BAT epitomized finesse.

This entry level phono preamp from BAT is so substantial in size and weight that you might mistake it for a power amp! The VK-P5 was “a joy to listen to,” offering an amazing helping of resolution for a $2000 product. The tubed BAT is also tonally neutral and very quiet, even when used in single-ended mode.

Small but exceptionally stylish, these stand-mounted monitors from B&W feature an aerodynamic speaker enclosure, a Kevlar woofer cone, a dimpled port and a curved cabinet that looks great in any d_©cor. They offered neutral sound as well and performed particularly well in small rooms. We felt that the “drop dead gorgeous” looks and stellar performance made this speaker “tough to beat.”

We initially thought of the Zeppelin as just a fancy-looking iPod dock with speakers, but the sound quality was so exceptional that we had to re-classify it as a high-quality portable music system. Practical and versatile, you can even hook the B&W up to your plasma TV and have a pretty amazing audio/video experience. For only $599, this qualifies as an outstanding bargain.

“A fully balanced and differential design from start to finish,” CX-7e is a simple yet elegant CD player that hinted at greatness, even at its relatively affordable price. When used in balanced mode, the Ayre produced a “magic” quality that’s usually found in much more expensive machines. The beefy power supply also provided additional heft and power to the presentation. It’s also extremely easy to use and operate.

The Volvere was extremely easy to get up and running, and within minutes we were impressed with “how much more music was lurking in the grooves” compared to more affordable analog rigs. An upgrade path will allow owners to take the performance even further, but in its stock form this Avid “will get you more than waist high into the waters of great analog performance.”

We called the gorgeous Ascendants “masters of detail,” and found that these $13K floorstanders came fairly close in overall performance to the $70K Avalon Sentinels. “Finesse” seems to be the operative phrase here, with the Avalons providing an extraordinarily clear window into the original music event. You’ll get “fooled into thinking that it just might be the real thing.”

For less than $2000 you can have these beautifully designed floor-standing speakers that are four feet tall, weigh 100 pounds and even have an active subwoofer inside the cabinet that’s powered by an honest-to-goodness 350wpc Class AB amplifier. The four-way Strata Minis not only pass the WAF with flying colors, but they offer a sound that’s “very impressive for the money.”

These slim floorstanders have an exceedingly small footprint (just 10″ by 6″!) , but they offer tight, punchy bass that is more typical of a single 8-inch woofer than a pair of 5 1/4″ drivers. In fact, these nicely-finished speakers may trick visitors into thinking you’ve stashed a subwoofer somewhere in the room. For the price of a decent pair of speaker stands, the EL525Ts work with even moderately low-powered amps and have “more than enough juice to get the job done.”

Combining a high-quality top-loading CD transport and DAC with a full-featured linestage, this Canadian product is perfect for audiophiles who are running out of space in their equipment racks yet still demand great sound. We thought of the Integris as a great $5000 CD player mated to a great $5000 preamp, and found it to be “quite neutral and tonally very accurate.”

Very similar in design to the Technics SL1200, this $300 direct-drive turntable actually surprised us with its “low-frequency slam and solidity.” We dug the fact that it played 78s or could serve as a DJ ‘table if we wanted to get our scratch on. As long the internal phono stage is disabled, the Audio-Technica is “hard to beat” if you’re a vinyl lover on a budget.

Premium subwoofer interconnects are a newly emerging segment of high-end audio, and Audioquest has made a big impression with the SUB-3s. While the Audioquests will not make your sub reacher deeper into the depths of the earth’s core, it will add texture and transient response and reduce the feeling of dread that accompanies “one-note bass” response.

Built into a chassis that’s bigger than many power amplifiers, the PH7 offers an unusually high amount of features for a phono stage such as remote-controlled cartridge loading, which we found particularly enjoyable. This tubed unit also enjoys ARC’s legendary reputation for reliability and ease-of-use, and does “everything you could ask, providing you only have one turntable.”

With built-in 45wpc amplifiers, subwoofer outputs and a USB/iPod interface, these speakers are the perfect way to “get high quality sound in a tight spot.” For $349 a pair, the Audio Engine 5s will give you “serious musical pleasure” and may be a great addition to a bedroom or dorm system. Plug in your iPod and start grinning!

How good can a $100 pair of interconnect cables be?¨Ü “Damn good!” we concluded. While they don’t offer the same amount of clarity and resolution as the expensive stuff, we felt that these cables would be perfect for systems under $10K and allow music lovers to spend their hard-earned cash elsewhere, like on music. The IC-3s are “a steal at this price.”

If you’re looking for a great pair of speaker cables for around $100, your search has ended. Audio Arts uses a simple 14-gauge silver-coated OFC copper wire and places it in an attractive blue jacket, making these the best-looking cables for the money as well. While there was a trace of grain compared to the expensive stuff, these cables will make DIYers put away their soldering irons for good.

These cables from Audience were relatively inexpensive and flexible, making them the perfect choice for audiophiles who frequently swap equipment around. We found them to be neutral as well as picked them whenever we didn’t want to change the overall balance of an existing system.

This battery powered solid state phono stage with “op amps under the hood” defied our expectations by “knocking one out of the park.” This two-box unit has an acrylic case and looked “very racy” on our equipment racks while offering one of the quietest presentations we’ve heard from vinyl. We determined that the tone, pace and ultimate dynamics from the ASR Basis will “capture your soul.”

For $1000 a pair, it’s hard to find another speaker that matches this Aperion’s combination of imaging, dynamic range and tonal accuracy. Bass was “taut without being boomy,” and when matched with quality amplification we felt it was “the best budget sound” we’ve heard. Combined with Aperion Audio’s customer service, you can’t go wrong with these floorstanders.