LATEST ADDITIONS

John Atkinson's track-by-track written evaluation in the July 2003 issue of his new <A HREF="https://secure.stereophile.com/stereophile/recordings.shtml"><I>Editor's Choice: Sampler & Test CD</I></A> (Stereophile STPH016-2) drew me like a magnet. Here was a reviewer-editor putting into words his musical perceptions, gathered while he served as the engineer for the various recordings sampled on this compilation. JA's dual roles of writer and engineer merge complementary perspectives, yielding what should be useful descriptions of the sonic values of some of my favorite reference CDs. As I was about to start my review of Piega's new hybrid loudspeaker when I read this article, it was only natural to test whether this Swiss full-range speaker could deliver "what you should hear."

Roy Hall, of Music Hall, US distributor of the Creek and Epos brands, called me one day a few years back. He was hawking review samples of Epos speakers.

Does size matter? Is it important to you to find the smallest speaker that still delivers the sound you want?

Sam Tellig and Lonnie Brownell both provide trenchant analyses of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/597bryston">Bryston B-60R integrated amplifier</A>. Tellig notes, "With Bryston gear, you get solid engineering and impeccable&mdash;I was going to say unimpeachable&mdash;build quality. This is what you pay for; not bulletproof faceplates, gold-plated name badges, or the like."

<B>TOM HARRELL: <I>Wise Children</I></B><BR>
Tom Harrell, trumpet, flugelhorn, balafon; Jimmy Greene, tenor sax, flute; Xavier Davis, piano, Fender Rhodes, clavinet, kalimba, organ, synth bass; Ugonna Okegwo, acoustic bass, electric bass; Quincy Davis, drums<BR>
With: Cenovia Cummins, Antoine Silverman, violin; Juliet Haffner, viola; Daniel Miller, Jeffrey Szabo, cello; Mondre Moffett, Kamau Adilifu, trumpet; Luis Bonilla, trombone; Douglas Purviance, bass trombone; John Clark, Vincent Chancey, French horn; Howard Johnson, tuba; Myron Walden, alto sax; David Schumacher, baritone sax; Gil Goldstein, accordion; Marvin Sewell, electric guitar; Marcel Carmago, acoustic guitar; Reuben Rodgers, fretless bass; Milton Cardona, congas; Joe Gonzalez, bongos; Caf&#233;, congas, berimbau, balafon, oudu, tambourine, percussion; Claudia Acu&#241;a, Jane Monheit, Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson, vocals<BR>
Bluebird 82876-53016-2 (CD). 2003. John Snyder, prod.; Joe Ferla, eng. DAD. TT: 63:34<BR>
Performance <B>****</B><BR>
Sonics <B>****</B>

Considering that not that long ago there wasn't even a product category for balanced AC line conditioners, we seem to now enjoy a plethora of the critters. Cinepro offers the PowerPRO 20 (reviewed in <I>Stereophile</I>, November 1998, Vol.21 No.11). And Equi=Tech, which caters more toward the pro end of the field, offers one that I have yet to hear. Now Audio Power Industries weighs in with their own approach to the genre.

Bryston is one of North America's most established hi-fi makers. Based not far from Toronto in Peterborough, Ontario, Bryston has been in business since 1962.