In his review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/398/">Cary Audio Design CAD-300SEI integrated amplifier</A>, Robert Harley admits up front that he's been "biased against single-ended tube amplifiers because of their quirky measured performances." Can the Cary redeem itself and the SET approach with a single hearing? Harley reports, with a "Follow-Up" from Jonathan Scull.

Now that satellite radio services <A HREF="http://www.xmradio.com">XM Radio</A> and <A HREF="http://www.siriusradio.com">Sirius Radio</A> have their "birds" in position, they are encountering a slew of unexpected roadblocks here on earth. Among the problems: loss of signal in tunnels and urban canyons, interference with wireless communications, and a lighting technology that emits strong radio waves close to the broadcasters' assigned bands.

Maybe it's because those Yanks are so contentious, but it appears that most of the initial CD copy-protection activity is taking place in Europe (see <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11113/">previous</A&gt;). Last week, Phoenix, AZ&ndash;based SunnComm announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with <A HREF="http://www.sonopress.de">Sonopress</A&gt; of Germany for implementation of its MediaCloQ technology in manufacturing facilities located all over Europe.

From the August 2001 issue, we have Michael Fremer's illuminating review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/394/">Audio Physic Avanti III loudspeaker</A>. Fremer wonders how Audio Physic can top the outstanding price/performance success of its middle-of-the line <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/147/">Virgo model</A> with a speaker that costs twice as much. As Fremer asks, "Is the Avanti twice as good as the Virgo? <I>More</I> than twice as good? Or is it just another competent but undistinguished design?"

There are only a few short days left, but once again, audiophiles can help themselves and others at the same time by participating in The Cable Company's sixth annual "Summer Against Hunger" campaign. <A HREF="http://www.fatwyre.com">The Cable Company</A> (and <A HREF="http://www.usedcable.com">www.usedcable.com</A&gt;), along with several manufacturers and audiophile publications, have set up a program by which they offer to donate up to 10% of August sales to CARE and the International Rescue Committee, these contributions to be used to assist the worldwide disaster relief efforts of those humanitarian organizations.

After the 2001 show's wildly successful run earlier this year, <A HREF="http://www.homeentertainment-expo.com">Home Entertainment 2002</A> is heading back again to the heart of New York City. HE2002 will take place May 30&ndash;June 2, 2002 at the Hilton New York.

Two years after they were first announced, DVD-Audio discs may finally be on their way from major labels.

First, the bad news: Sales of stand-alone, two-channel audio products declined in the month of June by 1.8% to $164 million, according to recently published statistics from the <A HREF="http://www.ce.org">Consumer Electronics Association</A>.

Success can be a two-edged sword. With the Virgo (<A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/147/">reviewed in September 1995</A>), Audio Physic created a $5000/pair benchmark product at the midpoint of the company's speaker lineup. While an upgraded, $5800 Virgo is due out soon, the original version will remain in production, its price dropping to $4495/pair&mdash;less than it cost six years ago.