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With the February issue hitting newstands, it's time once again to honor those twirling discs that also made our heads spin, with "2002 Records To Die For." Stereophile's staff and writers all check in with their eclectic batches of musical heaven.

John Atkinson stumbles upon the Canton Karat Reference 2 DC loudspeaker, and wonders where this company has been all his audiophile life. JA notes, "With its metallic-silver lacquer finish, the Reference 2 DC is a handsome speaker standing some 4' tall." And then there's the sound.

Michael Fremer wanted to hear the Kharma Midi-Grand Ceramique 1.0 loudspeaker in his listening lair, explaining, "I figured it was high time I reviewed a pair of Kharmas." And so the company's Bill Parish arrived with the $32,500/pair floorstanding three-way design and crossed his fingers.

Erstwhile Listener editor Art Dudley brings his unique and refreshing perspective to Stereophile starting with "Listening #1." Dudley ponders the important audio questions—like why do rich folks have crummy hi-fi sets?

Finally, the newest installment in our "Recording of the Month" series for the online archives: Recordings of April 1996, Ones All and A Time Remembered. Thomas Conrad explores two "quintessential" discs from jazz bassists Dave Holland and Art Davis.