Products of the Year

Editors' Choice

KEF LS50 Meta loudspeaker
There is no such animal as a "perfect loudspeaker." But within its limitations of limited maximum loudness—the LS50 Meta will work best in small or medium-sized rooms—and limited low-frequency extension (the reflex port is tuned to 51Hz), this immaculately finished minimonitor offers an almost complete absence of midrange coloration, a musically satisfying balance, and what I described in my review as a palpable "reach-out-and-touch" soundstage.

All this for just $1500/pair! Affordable almost perfection.—John Atkinson

Audiovector R8 loudspeaker
Of the music-makers I lived with this year, I'd rate the Magico A5 and the Audiovector R8 very close, but the Magico already won a big prize—two of them in fact. The gorgeous-looking Audiovector took me by surprise, doing things with imaging that I've never heard another loudspeaker do (like hearing a bass note directly behind another bass note; kids, don't try this at home!). The R8 is a complicated speaker that sounds simple, sweet, and coherent.—Jim Austin

Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX loudspeaker
This year, I'm ignoring anything other than the listening experience, how a component touches the "something" that defines what listening to music means to me. From this perspective, the Wilson Chronosonic XVX is the only possible choice. Sure, it obliterates the boundary of what an audio system can do, but that's too simple, too one-dimensional. It defines another dimension entirely.—Brian Damkroger

Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX loudspeaker
I've got no regrets about dropping scary dollars on the Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX. My financial adviser said, "go for it; you only live once!" He's correct! Too late every evening I am wowed, more like a "newbie" than a jaded veteran reviewer, often exclaiming loudly to no one such phrases as, "WTF was that?"—Michael Fremer

Wallyreference Azimuth Gauge
I've chosen the $275 WallyReference azimuth gauge as my 2021 PotY. It is one of several WallyTools I've used to fine-tune my Linn Ittok tonearm and Spectral Reference MC cartridge setup, greatly improving my Linn LP-12 turntable's sonics. In addition, WallyTools' J.R. Boisclair has provided me with superb phone support.—Larry Greenhill

Line Magnetic LM-845IA integrated amplifier
The Line Magnetic offers much of the magic of single-ended triode amps but adds bodacious bass, startling dynamics, and the ability to drive many average-sensitivity speakers. It excels as either an integrated or a power amp, can be improved with relatively inexpensive tube substitutions, and at $4950 serves up undeniable value.—Alex Halberstadt

Focal Clear Mg headphones
More often than not, friends want to know how to get audiophile sound with one or two simple moves. The easy answer is a great pair of headphones hooked up to a DAC and laptop/phone. "Get some Focal headphones" is usually the first thing out of my mouth, and the new Mg is "audiophile-in-a-box" easy to recommend.—Jon Iverson

Bricasti M1SE D/A processor
The Bricasti M1SE is now the senior member of my "A" system. And for good reasons: Bricasti develops and improves its products over time, with real-world upgrade paths. Running fully balanced, the sound is fabulous, and cost occupies a middle ground in today's marketplace—Sasha Matson

Klipsch Forte IV loudspeaker
The Forte IV provided trademark Klipsch speed and low-end power, allied to new-found treble and midrange smoothness, refinement, and a sense of grace that eluded past models. Truly an audiophile product on a reasonable, everyman's budget, the Forte IV filled my room with natural, alive, well-textured, exciting sound.—Ken Micallef

Roon 1.8
Roon changed my digital audio game. It neatly consolidates your digital music files, alongside Qobuz and Tidal (and radio) streaming, into one browsable, searchable, and uber–user-friendly platform. The major 1.8 update was controversial, but IMHO, Roon improved its platform. The improved Focus feature helps filter your searches. I enjoy exposure to new music, and the upgraded Valence recommendations engine delivers. Roon isn't perfect, but in high-end audio, is anything ever really?—Julie Mullins

NAD C 298 power amplifier
I haven't specifically heard the NAD C 298 but did review for Sound & Vision NAD's 7-channel Masters Series M28, which uses the same Eigentakt digital amp modules that populate both the C 298 and last year's Stereophile PotY winner, the NAD M33 integrated streaming amp. In my M28 review, I found it to be "a genuinely unique product, designed to compete sonically with some of the highest-end amps on the market."—Tom Norton

Klipsch Forte IV loudspeaker
This year, two products jumped out of Stereophile's review river: Naim Audio's Uniti Atom HE, and Klipsch's Forte IV loudspeakers. Both products speak to a younger, audio-enthused, nonoligarch audience. I am choosing the Forte IV as my personal PotY because it delivers a big, smooth, engaging corporality that makes being an audiophile fun again.—Herb Reichert

ExaSound S88 multichannel D/A processor
The exaSound s88 multichannel/stereo DAC has multiple inputs (USB, S/PDIF, LAN), RCA and XLR outputs, and functions as a Roon endpoint or as a network audio adapter for HQPlayer. It works flawlessly and sounds superb in all of these applications. The exaSound s88 embodies everything useful in a modern DAC and is my personal reference.—Kalman Rubinson

Grandinote Shinai integrated amplifier
My appreciation for this Italian solid state integrated amp with a tube-based circuit has been growing since I reviewed it, to the point that when faced with returning it, I bought it instead. The amp produces sound that's pulsatingly sensual, tonally rich, and physically substantial. It sounds so organic that it may as well be made of flesh and bone. It delivers space and detail so effortlessly that I don't even realize it's doing so unless I stop to think about it.—Rob Schryer

Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX loudspeaker
Every Wilson Chronosonic XVX owner I've heard from has said that the XVX has fundamentally transformed their experience of listening to music. With the aid of a new, long-awaited midrange unit that remained unfinished at Dave Wilson's death, Daryl Wilson has fulfilled his vision and taken it one major step further.—Jason Victor Serinus