From the October 2004 issue, John Atkinson reviews the Halcro dm38 power amplifier, noting, "When Halcro's affable US distributor, Philip O'Hanlon, asked me if I would be interested in reviewing the company's first two-channel design, the $18,790 dm38, I didn't need much persuading."

Also from October, Paul Bolin takes the McIntosh C200 preamplifier out for a stroll. "Though the C200 is laden with features, the approach was to design 'the finest audio preamplifier ever created' with 'no design compromises,'" says PB who puts it to the test.

Next, JA discusses the magazine's semiannual "Return to Recommended Components," asking, "So why are there so many products?" It's like dark and milk chocolate, explains Atkinson.

Finally, we have Stereophile's Recording of October 2004: Madeleine Peyroux, Careless Love. According to Robert Baird, "What makes Peyroux's work special, Holidayesque or not, is that, in her own offhand way, she's killing the material."