Marantz is showing the new $1699.99 TT-1581 turntable. Look familiar? It ought to—it's a proprietary Marantz model constructed by Clearaudio, with a Marantz specced platter and cartridge.

Kevin Zarow, vice-president of marketing for parent company D&M said, "Marantz is totally committed to two-channel audio."

To prove it, he also showed us three $7999.99 components that were droolworthy: the SC-752 preamp, the MA952 3002 monoblock amplifier, and the SA-751 SACD player. "And the technology we've developed in these components will definitely trickle down to our more affordable models—which is what has happened in our current bang-for-the-buck offerings."