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For better or for worse, appearances can make a profound first impression. Think of the bold, muscular curves of an Audi TT coupe, the planes and facets of a Lamborghini Murcielago, the sleek lines of a Gulfstream jet. In these vehicles, function and art are combined with smooth facility and perfect aesthetic balance.

Monoblock power amplifiers seem to be moving in and out of my listening room faster than green-onion salsa from Chi-Chi's. Over the past six months I've had the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/774">Parasound Halo JC-1</A>, the Halcro dm68, the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/1103pass">Pass XA-160</A>, the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/104mf">Musical Fidelity kW</A>, and now these 300W (into 8 ohms), $4500-each beauties from Theta Digital. All of these amps sounded as different as they looked, which was no surprise; too bad the "measures the same, sounds the same" dogmatists remain open for business.

Reader Mark Gdovin is curious. How many of you have professionally worked in the field of audio as "retail salespersons

<A HREF="http://www.towerrecords.com">Tower Records</A> should be back in fighting form on Monday, March 15 when a Delaware bankruptcy court rules on the company's reorganization plans.

From the March 2004 issue, John Atkinson finally gets to listen to the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/304sonus">Sonus Faber Cremona loudspeaker</A> and explains, "it took rather longer than I had expected to set the Cremonas up in my listening room. But, like everything worth experiencing, the wait was worth it."

<B>IRON AND WINE: <I>Our Endless Numbered Days</I></B><BR>
Sub Pop 630 (CD). 2004. Sam Beam, Brian Deck, prods., engs. AAD? TT: 44:49<BR>
Performance <B>****</B><BR>
Sonics <B>****</B>