Products of Diminishing Returns

(updated 12.15.2011)

If we wish to remain (or become!) your trusted AV advisors we need to be able to help you through the thick woods of AV gear. Anybody can open a business, throw a few products on display and call themselves AV “experts.” This section of our site will have sage advice- revealing products that offer conspicuously good value for the $.

We love the AV hobby! All products have differences and “personalities” of their own. Much of the fun of the biz is recognizing these characteristics- to match them up with what our customers are looking for. You won’t hear us telling you this or that isn’t “valid, ” “authentic,” or “truthful.” Please… these guys need to get over themselves! Run the other way when you hear that baloney.

Speakers

$400: Paradigm Atom

The Paradigm Atom is a wonderful value. It is small. It sounds big. The Atom v7 has just been revised. It has a metal cone 5.5” woof and new aluminum dome tweeter.

If you’re an audiophile with some big time gear, the Atom will please you in a small, affordable speaker. Whether it’s for a secondary room or recommendation for a friend, the Atom will not let you down! The best speaker value out there just took a nice step up- because the aluminum tweeter makes the top end a touch more mellow and the metal cone goes a tad deeper.

$600pr: Paradigm Mini Monitor

While the Atom above is an outstanding value, consider the new Mini Monitor! The Mini is a little larger cabinet and uses a 6 ½” metal woofer. The increase in bass is more than a little noticeable! If you’re going to use a sub anyway, there isn’t as much need for a Mini over the Atom. But if you’re running without a sub, it’s worth the extra $200. Uses the new aluminum tweeter.

$480pr: B&W 686

The 686 uses a 5 1/2” Kevlar woof and 1” Aluminum Nautilus tweeter. The sound is definitely on the British side- softer on top and without as much punch on the bottom. The Paradigm Mini vs the 686 is a wonderful comparison. Which flavor do you like? Smoother on top with B&W? Or a bit brighter and punchier with the Mini?

$650pr: B&W 685

The 685 uses a 6 1/2” Kevlar woof and slightly larger cabinet than 686. It sounds much bigger- but not just in the bass. The midrange is large and full. The flavor is darker than Paradigm. Do you like Ben & Jerry’s or Hagen Das? 685 sounds best on stands. When you stuff a speaker back in a cabinet it resonates and delivers a boxier sound than it will when placed on its own stand.

$900pr: Paradigm Monitor 7

The new Monitor 7 (v7) is really impressing our customers! Here we have a truly diminutive, attractive tower that doesn’t sound like a flimsy lifestyle speaker. These boys have some real fullness and warmth- and are only 34.75” tall and 6.75” wide. They’re available in black or Heritage Cherry, a much improved finish from prior versions. No longer do you have to get some cheesy, tin, skinny tower that sounds wimpy! The 7 is a 3 way, with aluminum tweeter, 5.5” metal mid and new carbon infused 5.5” polypropylene woof. The 7s look and sound beautiful- at a very fair price.

$1000pr: Paradigm Studio 10

The Studio Ten is Paradigm’s new, pretty small (12h,8w, 12d), mini monitor. I say pretty small cuz it’s not tiny- nor is its sound. But S-10 is my current day choice to supplant the Rogers LS 3/5a. The woofer is a 5 ½” S-PAL (Metalized) cone that delivers tremendous improvement in bass and power handling compared to similarly priced “minis.”

$1200pr: Paradigm Monitor 9

The new 9 is a much more muscular tower than the 7. If you’re running without a sub, the 9s are worth considering for their stronger bass. If you are running a sub, most people will be delighted with a 7 and not have to move up- unless of course you want even more SPL capability!

$1000pr: B&W CM-1

The CM-1 is really tiny! At 11h, 6 1/2w, 11d, CM-1 offers tight/controlled performance (nice clarity and imaging) in a small speaker. It runs moderate in efficiency, so you’re rewarded for having a gutsy little amp, not your 30 year old Pioneer receiver that has been in the basement.

$1100pr: B&W 684

The 684 is a brand new B&W 3 way, replacing the famously successful 603. It is the first B&W speaker to use a Kevlar WOOFER.

Keep in mind what virtually everyone else is selling you for a grand a pair is a pile of plastic speakers in a wimpy box. 684 uses a 1” thick MDF cabinet, the new, 1” Alum Nautilus tweet, 6 ½” Kevlar mid and 6 ½” Kevlar woof. This is not some generic thumper. As a matter of fact, 684 is a speaker that really lends itself to substantial electronics- even though it is 90dB efficient. Specifically, Rotel’s RB-1562 amp makes the 684 jump up and dance!

$1400pr: Paradigm Studio 20

The old Studio 20 was warmly received but a bit thicker than I would have liked. The new Studio 20 with curved cabinet design and the fancy GPAL tweet is a significant step up. This 20 has much better articulation and imaging. It is leaner and cleaner in the bass than its predecessors. It’s a great, full figured mini- the best in its price class. The bass goes deeper than CM-5 below.

$1600pr: Paradigm Monitor 11

The new Paradigm 11 is a big boy tower with plenty of wallop! It is a shade brighter on top, and a notch thicker on the bottom than the B&W 683 listed below. It is quite a bit more efficient. If you like music or theater on the heavier- louder side, the Monitor 11 is your best choice in this price range.

$1500pr: B&W 683

The 683 uses B&W’s patented FST surroundless midrange driver, along with two 6 ½” aluminum woofs and new 1” alum tweet.

The 683 has more weight in the bass than 684, but the real reason to buy it is the detail of the FST mid- B&W’s least expensive tower to incorporate this design.

$1500pr: B&W CM-5

The CM-5 monitor is black gloss and a major sonic improvement over CM-1. With 6 ½” woof and Nautilus tweet, CM-5 has a LOT more muscle than CM-1. CM-5 isn’t just a cute speaker for your office. It provides a flood light sized image. The matching stands are $400pr.

$2100pr: Magnepan MG-1.7

If you want the best resolution for the money, without prodigious bass, listen no further! Magnepan has updated its popular MG-1.6 to a 1.7. The new model has a Quasi Ribbon Woof/Mid & Super Tweet. It has uncanny (& unboxy) detail to die for. The intimacy and size of stage is peerless for the price. You need a little more amp than traditional designs. But it’s worth the trouble!

$2400pr: Paradigm Studio 60

The new and improved Studio 60 is a nice step above its predecessor. With curved cabinet design of real wood, S60 is now beautiful and has a big sound with a modest footprint. It brings Paradigm strength and punch (but not too much!) to a reasonable size and great price point. It isn’t much bigger than the Monitor 7 (a skinny tower she loves!) but the sound smokes the 7.

$3500pr: Paradigm Studio 100

The Paradigm S-100 is a speaker that puts Paradigm at a different level. The S-100 sounds big and powerful. With the SPAL mid and GPAL tweet, and three 7” MLP woofs, S-100 has the barbells to please those who demand big time muscle with their music. S-100 needs a powerful amp to control it. If you run under powered, it will sound soft and lumpy. While the Brystons are my favorite choice, Rotel has a number of very affordable options too. Anthem (made by Paradigm) also has a powerful integrated amp, I-225 (225x2) for $1500 that runs ‘em great!

$5000pr: B&W 805D- New!

805D is B&W’s ultimate statement in a reasonably small speaker. Suppose you have a smallish room where you want great sound. Your wife has banished you to the Den or Office. She doesn’t want you to mess up her living room, but she’s fine with whatever you want to do in “your man cave.” Think 805D. These are not teeny tiny speakers, but they’re small enough to work with.

If you want them to sound their best you put them on their stands. The 805’s stands are beautifully stylish and run $700pr. If you have to put the speakers on shelves because …. that’s the way it’s gotta be. OK. But, they’ll sound better on their stands. Use some nice Kimber Kable with WBT bananas and some fine electronics in front of them. The 805D has a distinctly warmer, rounder sound than the CM-5. It doesn’t have the barbells on the floor of its bigger brothers, but it IS equal in all the music from about 50Hz on up. It’s one of the most impressive speakers available!

$5500pr: Magnepan MG 3.7

Magnepan’s 3.7 is simply breath taking in its size and openness! The control it has is unsurpassed. Using true ribbon design for the tweeter, the 3.7 uses the new Quasi mid and woofer. MG 3.7 rewards you for using a real amp like a Bryston. If you can build a room around the aesthetics of a tall speaker, start here!

$6000pr: Paradigm Signature 6

The new v6 Sig 6 attains new levels of performance compared to its prior version. With new corrugated surrounds and Beryllium tweeter, the Sig 6 is much stronger than the 804D below. It is also much more efficient. Hence if you like a big, powerful sound with the ability to play louder, Sig 6 is your choice in this price range!

$7500pr: B&W 804 Diamond

The 804D is B&W’s smallest tower in the 800 Series. The 800 Series cabinets are rounded to prevent thumping. They use the Matrix honeycomb cabinet reinforcement. 804D sounds deep and warm. It also features the FST mid and full blown Nautilus tweet. 804D has two of the new Rohacell woofs, which provides for the taut muscle. 804D has very full range sound. If we play it and tell you the 802 Diamond is on for $15k pr, we might fool you!

$8600pr: Paradigm Signature 8

The new v5 Sig 8 is pretty phenomenal! The brilliant & airy nature of this speaker is seductive. It has life in spades, and loads of muscle. By using four of its corrugated woofers, the excursion capabilities are second to none. It’s an exciting speaker that can really go!

$10,000pr: B&W 803D

Make no mistake, you’ve gone into the upper reaches with 803D. The feathery detail and air around 803D is astonishing. The FST mid is legendary. Three new Rohacell woofs round out the muscle. Think smooth and silky.

$15,000pr: B&W 802 Diamond

Well, 802 Diamond is my favorite speaker EVER. It is beautifully blended- top to bottom better than anything I’ve ever heard. The FST mid in the Marlan midrange head provides detail like nothing else available. The open air Diamond tweet is truly innovative- the performance proves this is no hype- just the real deal. You can buy speakers bigger than 802D2, but there are none BETTER.

Being a piano and female singer lover- let me address the midrange specifically. The piano is a percussive instrument. My favorite piano recordings are NOT the new ones where they stuff a dozen mics under the hood and then diddle around with the mixing in the studio. Some of the best piano sound out there is from masters in the 60s/70s on DG. There is a percussive action you hear in these recordings that sounds more like listening to a real piano. When the mics are too close you get a big, somewhat blurred sound. 802D2 reveals these differences better than anything I’ve ever heard! Fortunately there ARE modern recordings that sound great too!

OK, if you’re still reading maybe you’re interested in all this. Buy Krystian Zimerman’s recording of Chopin’s Ballades and some other goodies. DG 423-092-1. (We sell it.) The sound is marvelous. It features great playing of works you’ll be happy to own, and the fidelity is very true to listening to a real piano. My contention is listening to this music on 802D2 is as close as you can get to being live. The D2 version is better than its predecessor in dynamic contrast especially. Put a Bryston FOUR or pair of SEVENS on them to make them sing!

Powered Subwoofers

$400: Paradigm PDR-100

PDR-10 uses a 10” stamped frame woof and 100w hybrid amp. To hear sound this solid for $400 is quite impressive. A nice entry sub!

$500: B&W ASW-608

The small subwoofer world has a new little guy slugger! At roughly 10 ¼” cubed with a long throw 8” woof and 200w ICEpower amp along with a pile of audiophile settings, 608 is winning our customers over!

$600: Paradigm DSP-3100

The Paradigm DSP subs have an EQ to ramp up the bottom end at lower frequencies. This keeps the bass in balance with the music at less than robust SPLs. The 3100 features a 10” woof and 200w amp- excellent value! If you want thunder in the room instead of the leaner, more polite B&Ws, go to the Paradigm DSP models! DSP-3100 is the first sub that can truly move your floorboards without becoming a booming mess!

$650: B&W ASW-610

With 10” Kevlar Pulp Fibre woof and 200 w/ch discrete, ICEpower amp, ASW-610 is a top notch value. It is front firing which helps its transient response. You can choose whether you want the crossover in or out which allows it to mate with any variety of systems easily. Has ABC levels of EQ. It’s a nicely refined sub that has plenty of flexibility for you to dial in to your taste.

$800: Paradigm DSP-3200

Brand new Herculean sub! With Prodigious 12” cast frame woof, 2” voice coil, 300w discrete amp and heavy cabinet, DSP-3200 is a Tyrannosaurus Rex! If your system is in the basement don’t settle for anything less!

$1000: Paradigm Monitor Series Sub 12 (as opposed to Studio Series Sub 12 below)

The Monitor Series Sub 12 is a brand new addition to the line. It replaces the long time “bad boy,” the DSP-3400. Sub 12 has a brand new, 12” long throw driver with corrugated surround. The amp is a new 300w (900w peaks) design. It’s a sealed design that brings much more control to the price point than the 3400 did. An excellent addition!

$1200: B&W ASW-610XP

In a modest package ASW-610XP delivers a big, fast kick. Featuring a 4” voice coil, 10” Cast Kev/Pulp fibre woof and 500w ICEpower amp. It is a muscular performer and excellent value.

$1500: Paradigm Seismic 110 “The Bulldog”

The new Paradigm Seismic 110 is a sealed, round shaped sub that has Paradigm’s traditional muscle- without the theater skewed bottom end. With a 10” woofer and unique corrugated surround (allowing a lot more excursion than anyone else out there!) and 850w amp! We see the Seismic 110 as being a great match with Maggies or fine speakers like the Studio 10s/20s and 60s. It’s cute and drops the hammer!

$1500: B&W ASW-CM-10

This new smaller CM series sub is a much more polished finished sub than ASW-610XP above.

$2000: B&W ASW-CM-12

Here’s the goods. This 12” Kevlar Pulp Fibre woof with 500w amp can deliver thunder! If you have the room that needs testosterone- ASW-CM-12 is it! ASW-CM-10 is like the 610XP for $1500 in a real wood cabinet if you need a more polished look.

$2300: Paradigm Studio Series Sub-12

Studio Sub-12 features Paradigm’s 12” RCR driver with 1700w RMS (3400w peak) amp! It is a sealed cabinet and provides powerful performance for music or movies. It has become our most popular “serious sub” as it moves floor boards and stays tight in the process.

$3200: Paradigm Sub-15

Sub-15 features Paradigm’s 15” RCR driver with 1700w RMS (3400w peak) amp! Thunderous!

$4700: Paradigm Sub-25

Sub-25 features a stonger version of the 15” RCR driver above, with a 3000w amp (7500w peaks!). $4700 in cherry, $5k in piano black. This is sub is deeper and stronger than Sub-15!

CD Players

$350: Marantz CD-5004

Stop the presses! We have a new budget CD champ! Marantz CD-5004 brings a new build quality and sound quality to the affordable price range! This new CD player redefines what you can get in a “cheap” CD player. With its great build and digital output, it can very nicely dovetail into a high end system like Naim’s new SuperNait!

$600: Rotel RCD-06SE

This new center load CD is a bargain from Rotel. It uses a Wolfson DAC and has coax out. It bridges the gap between CD-5004 above and RCD-1520. But let’s be clear, RCD-1520 is worth $1k!

$1000: Rotel RCD-1520

Rotel’s new RCD-1520 has a new Wolfson chipset and more detailed sound than its highly regarded predecessor, the RCD-1072. Bass solidity has been upgraded as well. RCD-1520 rivals the big names for much less money. I think RCD-1520 is the best CD bargain out there!

$1000: Marantz SA-8004

SA-8004 is part of a new generation of great Marantz 2CH equipment. This guy is a STEREO SACD and Red Book CD player. It also features a USB INPUT so you can run an IPOD into it for much improved sound. The main reason to consider SA-8004 is the affordably, high quality SACD option.

$1000: Rega Apollo

The Apollo is now a veteran of the serious audiophile community. Apollo has remarkable smoothness for its price. Apollo beats anything we’ve heard under it for warmth. Rotel’s RCD-1520 above has better detail. But some of our customers like the extra mellow Rega flavor.

$3200: Bryston BCD-1

CDs came out in 1982. The Bryston BCD-1 came out in late 2006. What kept ya?! Holy cow, the BCD-1 is the best sounding CD player currently available! It has great clarity without being bright. It has a rock solid bottom end and image to die for. There’s nuthin’ better!

$7000: BAT VK-D5SE

The BAT uses an enormous oil cap power supply and four 6H30 Russian super tubes. It weighs about 50 pounds and is built like a battleship. It is warm and musical.

Jack S, a customer who bought this player after using many others over the years probably said it more succinctly than anybody. “This is the most musical hifi component I’ve ever owned. It just made everything else sound effortless and relaxed.” After going through a number of less expensive players, diddling with transports and DACs, Jack heard what we have. This is the warm hot chocolate Red Book CD player!

Preamps

$700: Rotel RC-1550

The RC-1550 is a super value oriented, just updated, remote controlled preamp! With clean sound and a nice array of features including phono and remote, 1070 is a top notch preamp that can’t be beat until you hit about $2k!

$1100: Rogue Metis

This American built tube preamp brings you tube warmth in spades. It is also offered in a Magnum (tweaked with better parts!) for $1500. Yes, I’d spend the $400 more!

$1300: Rotel RC-1580

Rotel’s new DISCRETE preamp is a wonderful addition to the line. It combines audiophile grade performance with usable creature features. For example, it has remote, phono, headphone amp/jack, IPOD input on faceplate and tone controls. More importantly, the sound is rich and open. You won’t believe the bass extension for the price!

$1900: Rogue Perseus

Rogue’s Perseus tube preamp gets upgraded every year or two. It is a gorgeous performer at less that Herculean money. The Magnum version runs $2200 and is well worth the extra few bux! At just over $2k it offers the best musicality in its class!

$2825: Bryston BP-6

Bryston’s new BP-6 has remote and sounds very close to their classic BP-25. It doesn’t have any XLR ins or outs, but the sound is the most detailed in its price range- and has a 20 year warranty! If you’re not familiar with what Bryston accomplishes, I’ll try to describe it. There is a clarity that is uncanny. You hear less miscellaneous debris in the road. When you toss on solo guitar music for example, you’ll shake your head in amazement because of the lack of “fuzz” around the sound. Phono is optional.

$3500: BAT3ix

BAT’s entry level tube preamp is a sweetheart! The warmth and majesty of tubes abound in this 40 pound beast of a preamp including remote. Phono is optional.

I’m not that big a tube fan. Tubes certainly soften hard edges. But when you soften edges many times the musical detail is compromised as well. Not in the BAT! The lower line tube stuff with small power supplies and cheapie tubes is often unreliable and masks information while rounding off solid state edges. At VK3ix- the technology really comes together so it’s worth talking tubes!

$5075: Bryston BP-26

When Bryston introduced the BP-26 it set new standards for warmth and solidity in a solid state preamp. We’ve had many fine contenders over the years including Bryston’s own BP-25. But BP-26 went to a full second chassis of power supply components. In so doing the body was significantly beefed up. The XLR ins/outs and typical Bryston noiseless background combine to make this one of the finest preamps available – without the muss and fuss of ditzy, weirdo high end gear! Phono is optional.

Power Amps

$800: Rotel RB-1562. 100 w/ch

The RB-1562 is a Class D model of unique quality. The definition, control and image stability of RB-1562 are outstanding. The bass isn’t quite as thick on the D amps as the ABs. But they’re cleaner and run cooler.

$900: Rotel RB-1552, 120 w/ch

Rotel is an English company that owns its own manufacturing plant in China. Why should you care? Because THIS is precisely why Rotel whups the other upper mid audiophile wannabes out there! Having such control over costs and quality allow Rotel to take maximum advantage of their English engineering prowess. Most of the brand names you know in this price range ARE JUST VENDORED OUT OR BADGED!

Keep in mind that virtually all the other upper/mid audiophile companies SOURCE their designs from vendors we’ve never heard of. They send off a schematic and a check- the products show up on a boat. This doesn’t ensure careful or conscientious build quality!

In fact, the gear coming from nameless Chinese vendors is by and large fraught with persnickety, pain in the neck problems. Sometimes these can be fixed by touching up solder joints. Sometimes the products are built so poorly that they have to literally be re-engineered when they arrive- causing a 911 for the company involved.

RB-1552 has a speed and punch you won’t hear at less than $900. It’s AB so a bit heartier in the bass than RB-1562.

$1300: Rotel RB-1572, 250 w/ch

RB-1572 is Rotel’s top stereo D 2ch power amp. It is faster and leaner than RB-1582. Some folks will prefer it to its $1500 sibling! If your speakers need maximum control the RB-1572 is for you! Also, you can drive it hard (& cool!) without problems!

$1500: Rotel RB-1582, 200 w/ch

RB-1582 is Rotel’s top audiophile 2ch power amp. The sound is a stronger in the bass, warmer and rounder than the Ds. The difference isn’t night and day. But we find some customers prefer the barbells on the floor of the RB-1582. When you need muscle at less than Bryston money, this is it!

$3300: Bryston 2B-SST-2, 100 w/ch

The Bryston beats the Rotel in clarity and spaciousness. Brystons all spec out about 40% higher than their wattage ratings by the way. The dynamic contrast of Bryston is unbeatable!

The 2B is a great choice when you want top level detail but don’t need barbells on the floor. It should be noted that for just over $6k you can get this Bryston 2B-SST-2 and the new BP-6 preamp- both with TWENTY year warranties!

$4300: Bryston 3B-SST-2, 150 w/ch

The 3B-SST-2 is Bryston’s classically famous amp. It’s definitely deeper and fuller than 2B. When you want the Bryston resolution with more muscle, 3B-SST-2 is a worthy step up.

$5000: Bryston 4B-SST-2, 300 w/ch

When you want the big boy amp to kick your speakers in the fanny, you want 4B-SST-2! It has the barbells, the clarity, the dynamics, the thunder. It might sound silly to say a $5000 power amp offers the best value in amplifier-land- but that’s exactly what I’m telling you!

Sometimes folks say, well, I don’t really need that much power, do I? Well, not if you are trading off your next meal, no. But, if you have to eat macaroni and cheese for a while to afford the 4B, it’s worth it. The 4B-SST-2 will give virtually any speaker out there the level of push and control it needs- with Bryston’s industry famous clarity! Oh, and yes, the warranty is twenty years!

Also, think about this. There have been many acclaimed amp companies over the years. Think about what was around 19 years ago. Think about how many of those companies are GONE. If you had bought a Bryston then, it would STILL be under warranty!

$4000: BAT VK-55, 55 w/ch

If you read my comments about the VK3ix preamp, you can just about plug them in here too. To make a tube power amp that is reliable and has enough power to do the job- is a challenge. The VK-55 is a magnificent example of doing it right. At 55 w/ch of push pull, the VK-55 will even drive the B&W 800 Series speakers to ample SPLs for most of us. You can turn them into monoblocks.

$5100ea: Bryston 7B-SST-2 MonoBlocks, 600w

The 7B-SST-2 MonoBlocks are for “maximum” control and speed on demanding speakers. If you really want to light up top echelon speakers, think lucky 7s!

$9600ea: Bryston 28B-SST-2 MonoBlocks, 1000w

I put maximum in quotes above because the 28s really proved MAXIMUM if that’s what you’re looking for! Virtually every audiophile mag’s favorite amp for ultimate performance!

Integrated Amps

I love integrated amps! When you want great two channel sound it is better NOT to have the radio on board. We have some great values here that outperform receivers.

$450: Marantz PM-5004, 40 w/ch

Brand new is Marantz’s PM-5004! This guy brings better punch and clarity to the party than NAD. Its resolution and feature set make it the best buy in a “cheap” integrated. It has remote, MM phono, speakers A&B & Source Direct among other features. Its build quality is hands down the best we’ve seen at this price point. Our new budget king!

$1000: Rotel RA-1520, 70 w/ch

This Rotel is much more refined than the Marantz. It’s built like a tank and has superior detail. When you combine it with the new RCD-1520 CD player you have a $2k start to audiophile Nirvana. As you budget, you might start with this reasonably priced front end that will allow you to spend the bulk of your money where you can hear great differences- on the speakers! Includes remote, & MM phono.

$1000: Marantz PM-8004, 70 w/ch

Marantz has gotten VERY serious about its affordable stereo gear! PM-8004 weighs a ton (OK, 28 lbs), has plenty of push and some nice audiophile features like MM phono and Source Direct. Perhaps most importantly, PM-8004 features Marantz’s latest HDAM circuitry, where various portions of the signal are isolated from each other to provide better sonic clarity by minimizing RFI. Pre-out and Main-in are separable on PM-8004, not PM-5004. PM-8004 sounds warmer and darker than Rotel’s RA-1520. Which suits your speakers better?

$1600: Anthem I-225, 225x2

The I-225 is relatively new and one of the best values in our audiophile kingdom. They typically spec out over 250x2. With nice MM phono and pre out, I-225 delivers the muscle for wonderful speakers like Paradigm’s S-60 and S-100. Anthem is Paradigm’s electronics company.

$1650: Naim Nait 5i, 50 w/ch

The new Nait is stunningly strong and musical for the price! It has been Americanized to have RCA and banana plug connections. Especially when mated with Naim’s matching CD-5i CD player ($1600) which connects with Naim’s DIN LINK cable, this $3k combo is as good as it gets! The Nait will drive almost any speaker out there- honest!

Nait is made for a music lover, not a component putzer. It doesn’t have extra outputs to add a stronger amp or subwoofer (well, maybe when using the speaker outs).

$2750: Naim Nait XS-2, 60 w/ch

The new XS-2 is a little stronger than 5i. But it has a sub out and some connection capabilities that make it a better choice for an audiophile who might like to add on in the future. If you want great sound now and the option to add a sub or larger amp, get XS-2!

$5075: Bryston B-100SST, 100 w/ch

Bryston’s B-100SST has become quite the classic. The preamp section is very close to the BP-6. The amp is the 2B-SST-2, capable of driving all but the hungriest of speakers well. With its pre out/main in jacks B-100SST is an ideal piece to start with- and the move up stream to a more powerful amp if you feel the need- keeping the B-100SST as your preamp. Includes remote. You can get it with MM phono (+$600) or a built in DAC (+$1400). It is sonically leaner than SuperNait.

$5000 Naim SuperNait, 80 w/ch with built in DAC

SuperNait is a remarkable performer as an integrated amp alone. Its bass solidity and transient attack are tops in the price range. But when you consider the price includes an outstanding built in DAC to make your CD player or other digital sources better, it’s awfully tough to beat! Run this guy with B&W 805s. You’ll be impressed!

Stereo Receiver

$500: Marantz SR-4023, 80 w/ch

Marantz offers a clean stereo receiver with MM phono and remote. It also has a preamp out. For five bills, we’re pleased to offer a real stereo receiver with discrete output devices!

Surround Sound Preamp-Processors

$1000: Anthem MRX-300

OK, technically the MRX-300 is not a pre-pro. It is a receiver. Butttt, Anthem designed it knowing that the world needs an affordable preamp processor. Why not just make one? Because it would actually cost more money to make this exact same piece WITHOUT the amps on board- because they would sell so many fewer! The economies of scale make the receiver with built in amps less expensive than making many fewer units without built in amps! Rest assured MRX-300 was designed with this as an option. It has ARC (Anthem Room Correction), a much more sophisticated design than what EVERYONE else uses short of McIntosh.

$1600: Marantz AV-7005

Sorry boys. This new pre-pro blows everyone else out of the water for a combination of sound and features at a reasonable price. With 3 year warranty and nice remote, AV-7005 just wins the battle, hands down. It works properly. It has current HDMI switching and the new audio codecs, XLR outs. It should sell for $3k! In fact, if it was built in North America I promise it would sell for more like $8k!

Multi-Channel Power Amps

$1200: Marantz MM-7055, 140x5, NEW!

Marantz has a new 5ch amp to mate with AV-7005 above. It is a 5ch version of the very popular MM-8300 which sold by the boatload. Why 140x5? Most people just run 5ch so Marantz decided to make a killer piece to appeal to MOST customers. By the way, MM-7025 runs $800 and is 140x2. So you can get 7ch for $2k. Great value!

$1300: Rotel RMB-1565, 100w x5.

RMB-1565 is too cheap! It’s a great amp from Rotel’s new Class D family and is suspiciously under priced! How do you put 5ch of this in one box for a measly $1300?! Buy it before Rotel comes to its senses and raises the price to $2000, where it ought to be!

$2800: Rotel RMB-1575, 250w x5

This brand new amp is a new, monster Rotel D amp. With loads of push and no concern for heat build up, RMB-1575 is an outstanding theater amp! It has a matching 2ch sibling above (RB-1572 $1300) if you want to go 250x7= $4100- nice value!

$2800: Anthem MCA-50, 250w x5

MCA-50 is a brute of a theater amp. It sounds great, has 250x5 class AB, has XLR ins, is safe into 2 ohms and weighs a mere 61 lbs.

$8100: Bryston 9B-SST-2, 120w x5

The Nine sounds virtually the same as 5ch of 3B-SST-2 in one box. That’s pretty impressive! Five channels of Bryston precision and lack of distortion for just over $8k! And of course, it has a twenty year warranty. This is a big deal in a multi-channel amp- where you’re making real demands of the power supply.

Surround Sound Receivers

$650: Marantz NR-1602, 50x7

This slim line profile unit has all discrete output transistors, no fans, It has HDMI upconversion with scaler and new audio codecs. There are many cheaper surround receivers on the market, but don’t fall for them. NR-1602 is a respectable performer worth “waiting for” if you have to. Entry level surround receivers are pretty gutless.

$800: Marantz SR-5006, 100x7

Buy SR-5006 if you are spending less than a grand. It sounds quite a big more powerful than NR models and is well worth the $150 more!

$1000: Anthem MRX-300, 80x7

We have a new budget king surround receiver! Paradigm owns Anthem and is producing the best sounding surround receivers on the market! On top of gutsy power, the Anthems use ARC (Anthem Room Correction). All rooms have peaks and valleys. ARC boosts valleys and lops off peaks. Audyssey, which is what everyone else uses- just lops off peaks. The difference is noticeable!

$1200: Marantz SR-6006, 110w x 7

SR-6006 is brand new bigger brother to SR-5006. It has a number of fancy features that might appeal to some folks. But if you don’t need the features… move on.

$1500: Anthem MRX-500, 100x7

MRX-500 is a bigger brother to MRX-300. Sounds a tad better but for $500 more. I would prefer not to buy MRX-500 but go all the way to …

$2000: Antehm MRX-700, 120x7

MRX-700 is the best sounding surround receiver on the market! It uses gutsier amps than anyone else and has the ARC circuit described in MRX-300 above. It is cut from finer cloth than MRX-300-500. It employs better parts’ choices and subsequently SOUNDS BETTER.

Blu-ray Players

$600: Marantz UD-5005

We’re thrilled to have a Marantz built Blu-ray at an affordable price range! For barely more than the masses, you get a more solid machine with a 3 year warranty! This guy is priced similarly to that four letter word built by a cell/phone PDA company. It is built better, has a better warranty, can be upgraded nicely in the field and if you need service you just visit us!

Keep in mind… just cuz brand X has internet connections, that doesn’t mean the company that makes it will SUPPORT THE UPDATES to allow your machine to read new copy guard codes! Marantz WILL!

$1000: Marantz UD-7006

The new UD-7006 is a higher end player than UD-5005. It has superior audio and video circuitry and build quality. Built solidly with double layer copper chassis and reliable transport- UD-7006 is the best “higher end” value going in Blu-ray player! Has high quality analog outs.

Turntables/Cartridges

$150: Rega Bias 2 Cartridge

This new MM cartridge is a wonderful performer for the money! You should replace your cheapie brand X with Bias 2! First of all, Bias 2 has enormous output, 6.8mV. This means it is extremely forgiving of mediocre, or less, MM sections! The cantilever is all one piece- no slide in boot adaptor to allow easy stylus replacement which compromises the sound. Elliptical. All Rega carts are hand made in England!

$300: Rega Elys 2 Cartridge

Elys 2 is a step up from Bias 2. While also having an elliptical stylus, the cut is more precise. Output is 7.2mV. One piece cantilever. Has 3 point mounting system which is an advantage if you have a P-3/24 table.

$450 Rega RP1 with Ortofon Cartridge

Brand new is Rega’s RP1 table- packed with Ortofon cart. Never has Rega been so affordable! You CAN put a fancier cartridge in RP1 when the Ortofon wears out. Their goal was to get you into serious analog land for not much more than Technics’ money!

$900: Rega RP3 Plus Elys 2 $300 cartridge

The RP3 is THE best buy in a turntable! Despite its modest price it is within spitting distance of some of the priciest tables in the world. Featuring Rega’s new RB-302 tonearm and heavier duty build, RP3 is a bargain. The new Elys 2 cart has 3 screw mounting system, 7.2mV output and is a great tracker.

The cool thing about the high output of Elys 2 is… it is very forgiving of your phono section. Let’s say your phono section isn’t as quiet as a died in the wool audiophile would like. With over 7.0 output Elys 2 is very forgiving!

$2700: Rega P7 with Exact $600 cartridge

The P7 is a beauty! It uses Rega’s unique ceramic platter design with two belts for superior isolation. The power supply is outboard. The arm is Rega’s RB-700. It’s a very high end table at mid level money. The Exact cart has 3 screw mounting, 7.2mV output, and line contact stylus to extract maximum info from the grooves.

Stand Alone DACs

$450: Peach Tree DAC IT

Built in a robustly solid chassis, featuring ESS 32bit Sabre 9022 DAC, DAC IT sounds better than it has any right to. It

$1000: Rega DAC

At only a grand the Rega DAC is getting buzz as the best value in our biz. It is within spitting distance of the big boys!

$2200: Bryston BDA-1

The Bryston BDA-1 is the top rated DAC on the market. Whether shaking hands with your computer or CD transport, BDA-1 is already the acknowledged heavy weight champ- at a middle weight price!

Music Streamers

$800: Sonos

Sonos has rewritten the book on how to tie in serious (as well as generic) sound into your system. For the sake of this discussion, we’re considering Sonos as your vehicle to tie into music saved on your computer. Get the ZP-90 ($350) Zone Player. This ties into your system with analog or digitial (Coax) outs. Get the RC-200 ($350) Touchpad and the music from your computer is at your disposal very quickly. The ZB-100 ($100) Zone Bridge is necessary if you want to run ZP-90 wirelessly.

You go to CR-200, select Music Library, and scroll through the music you have saved by artist, category, play list, whatever. If you were smart enough to save the music in a lossless fashion, it will sound nice!