Features

Sooloos music server system ($7900–$10,500; reviewed by Jon Iverson & Kalman Rubinson, Vol.31 No.9, September 2008 Review)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Ayre Acoustics CX-7e CD player ($3500; reviewed by Robert Deutsch, Vol.31 No.1, January 2008 Review)
Bel Canto DAC3 D/A processor ($2495; reviewed by John Atkinson & Wes Phillips, Vol.30 No.11 & Vol.31 No.2, November 2007 & February 2008 Review)
Benchmark DAC1 USB D/A headphone amplifier ($1275; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.31 Nos.1 & 4, January & April 2008 Review)
Esoteric DV-60 universal player ($6000; reviewed by Kalman Rubinson, Vol.31 No.3, March 2008 Review)
Grace m902 D/A preamplifier/headphone amplifier ($1695; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.31 No.10, October 2008 Review)
Krell Evolution 505 SACD player ($10,000; reviewed by Fred Kaplan, Vol.31 No.9, September 2008 Review)
Linn Klimax DS network D/A processor ($18,500; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.31 No.3, March 2008 Review)
Oppo DV-980H universal player ($169; reviewed by Kalman Rubinson, Vol.31 No.5, May 2008 Review)
PrimaLuna ProLogue Eight CD player ($2499–$2734; reviewed by Fred Kaplan & John Atkinson, Vol.31 Nos.7 & 10, July & October 2008 Review)
Simaudio Moon Andromeda CD player ($13,500; reviewed by Brian Damkroger, Vol.31 No.1, January 2008 Review)
Wadia Digital 170iTransport iPod Dock ($379; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.31 No.10, October 2008 Review)

This winner doesn't represent a hardware solution so much as it does a software solution. In a component category usually occupied by SACD players and D/A processors, and in a time marked by music lovers longing to reconnect with their libraries, the Sooloos hard-drive–based networked music system takes an undeniably fun and fresh approach to sorting, organizing, and experiencing music.

The Source:One currently uses RME-sourced 24-bit/192kHz converters, while the Twinstore hard drive is capable of holding over 2000 losslessly compressed CDs. What makes this product truly special, however, is its 17" Control:One touchscreen, which allows the user to find and play music in several intuitive ways. After only a few taps on the screen, our reviewers were entranced and invigorated by the Sooloos's potential.

Jon Iverson was won over immediately: "Using the Sooloos got me more deeply involved with my music library than at any time since I began collecting many years ago." Kal Rubinson was similarly swayed: "I am now convinced that, if you can afford it, the Sooloos is the way to go for CD listening." High praise, indeed, for a highly ambitious product. Thank you, Sooloos, for bringing us closer to our music.