Each year, while proofing the data which makes up the <i>Stereophile Buyer’s Guide</i>, I come across new and interesting components. At this point in the proofing process, we’re deep into the analog gear, which of course comprises my favorite section of the book. So, while the task can be tedious and draining, it’s fun to discover new products. Here are just a couple that have caught my eye:

Sometimes, a product review in <I>Stereophile</I> can breed additional reviews. Shortly after I reviewed the Audio Valve Conductor line stage in the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/audio_valve_conductor_preamplifi… 2009 issue</A> (Vol.32 No.7), I was contacted by NAT's US distributor, Musical Sounds: "Hey, if you liked the Audio Valve Conductor [$13,995], you'll love the NAT Symmetrical line stage at $8000! Would you like to review it?" Aside from Michael Fremer's review of the battery-powered NAT Signature Phono stage in the July 2007 issue, I was unfamiliar with this Serbian maker of tube electronics. But "Sure," I replied; "why not?"

Sometimes, a product review in <I>Stereophile</I> can breed additional reviews. Shortly after I reviewed the Audio Valve Conductor line stage in the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/audio_valve_conductor_preamplifi… 2009 issue</A> (Vol.32 No.7), I was contacted by NAT's US distributor, Musical Sounds: "Hey, if you liked the Audio Valve Conductor [$13,995], you'll love the NAT Symmetrical line stage at $8000! Would you like to review it?" Aside from Michael Fremer's review of the battery-powered NAT Signature Phono stage in the July 2007 issue, I was unfamiliar with this Serbian maker of tube electronics. But "Sure," I replied; "why not?"

Sometimes, a product review in <I>Stereophile</I> can breed additional reviews. Shortly after I reviewed the Audio Valve Conductor line stage in the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/audio_valve_conductor_preamplifi… 2009 issue</A> (Vol.32 No.7), I was contacted by NAT's US distributor, Musical Sounds: "Hey, if you liked the Audio Valve Conductor [$13,995], you'll love the NAT Symmetrical line stage at $8000! Would you like to review it?" Aside from Michael Fremer's review of the battery-powered NAT Signature Phono stage in the July 2007 issue, I was unfamiliar with this Serbian maker of tube electronics. But "Sure," I replied; "why not?"

Sometimes, a product review in <I>Stereophile</I> can breed additional reviews. Shortly after I reviewed the Audio Valve Conductor line stage in the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/audio_valve_conductor_preamplifi… 2009 issue</A> (Vol.32 No.7), I was contacted by NAT's US distributor, Musical Sounds: "Hey, if you liked the Audio Valve Conductor [$13,995], you'll love the NAT Symmetrical line stage at $8000! Would you like to review it?" Aside from Michael Fremer's review of the battery-powered NAT Signature Phono stage in the July 2007 issue, I was unfamiliar with this Serbian maker of tube electronics. But "Sure," I replied; "why not?"

Sometimes, a product review in <I>Stereophile</I> can breed additional reviews. Shortly after I reviewed the Audio Valve Conductor line stage in the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/audio_valve_conductor_preamplifi… 2009 issue</A> (Vol.32 No.7), I was contacted by NAT's US distributor, Musical Sounds: "Hey, if you liked the Audio Valve Conductor [$13,995], you'll love the NAT Symmetrical line stage at $8000! Would you like to review it?" Aside from Michael Fremer's review of the battery-powered NAT Signature Phono stage in the July 2007 issue, I was unfamiliar with this Serbian maker of tube electronics. But "Sure," I replied; "why not?"

Sometimes, a product review in <I>Stereophile</I> can breed additional reviews. Shortly after I reviewed the Audio Valve Conductor line stage in the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/audio_valve_conductor_preamplifi… 2009 issue</A> (Vol.32 No.7), I was contacted by NAT's US distributor, Musical Sounds: "Hey, if you liked the Audio Valve Conductor [$13,995], you'll love the NAT Symmetrical line stage at $8000! Would you like to review it?" Aside from Michael Fremer's review of the battery-powered NAT Signature Phono stage in the July 2007 issue, I was unfamiliar with this Serbian maker of tube electronics. But "Sure," I replied; "why not?"

The phrase "the mystic chords of memory" comes from Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address. Of course, larger issues than those addressed in this column occupied most peoples' minds just then. But it is nonetheless worthwhile for us to spend a moment or two thinking about how differently people experienced music in 1861, compared to how things are today.