Features

Sooloos music server system

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Conrad-Johnson ACT2 Series 2 preamplifier
Continuum Audio Labs Criterion turntable & Copperhead tonearm
Hansen Prince V2 loudspeaker
KEF Reference 207/2 loudspeaker
Linn Klimax DS network D/A processor
Magico V3 loudspeaker
Parasound Halo JC 2 preamplifier
PSB Synchrony One loudspeaker
Revel Ultima Salon2 loudspeaker
VTL MB-450 Series II Signature monoblock power amplifier

With four first-place votes and 16 votes overall, the Sooloos music server takes this year's ultimate prize.

Web Monkey Jon Iverson—who has been calling for intuitive, user-friendly, computer-based systems for over a decade—shocked no one when he dove so eagerly into the deep possibilities of the Sooloos system. It was just what he'd ordered. "This was clearly no me-too product," he said, "but a complete reinvention of how we relate to music."

But . . . Michael Fremer? Yes, even Mikey, our sober-minded analog guru, was held captive by the Sooloos. In fact, he bought one. With it, MF can finally get rid of all those annoying CDs, and convert his vinyl to digital for easy access via the Sooloos's touchscreen. After all, when you consider that the Sooloos system does a better job of communicating the addictive, visceral pleasures of a music collection than anything this side of a 12" black disc, it sort of makes sense.