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In his review of the Clearaudio Champion 2 turntable and Unify tonearm with Benz Micro L2 phono cartridge, Paul Bolin notes, "Turntables are intrinsically cool. Maybe it's that I am of the pre-CD generation, for which the acquisition of one's first really good turntable marked an audiophile's coming of age." Bolin explains why the Clearaudio is a really good player.

High-end headphone maker Stax has had its share of ups and downs, ending with a permanent down in 1996. But when several engineers from the company announced that they were reforming the brand to further develop the legendary Stax Lambda Nova Signature electrostatic ear-speaker, Wes Phillips wanted in. Practice makes perfect?

If you're interested in high-end turntable design, Thomas J. Norton's review of the SOTA Cosmos turntable is a must read. If you're not into vinyl, you'll still stare in wonder at the most surreal writing TJN ever committed to print. JA still wonders what got into him that day. Paul Bolin adds new comments.

Next, Sam Tellig adds more comments about the Musical Fidelity TriVista SACD player to the archives. The player was originally reviewed by Michael Fremer, but ST can't help but throw in his two cents' worth about the TriVista's CD performance and romantic leanings.

Finally, the latest installment in our "Recording of the Month" series for the online archives: Recordings of July 1994: The Eyes Have It, Lady Be Good...for Ella, The Fred Hersch Trio Plays.... Three piano trio recordings that, writer Michael Ullman says, are all worth having.