During Stereo Exchange's Spring Fever event, Transparent Audio's Josh Clark gave a valuable presentation on the various things to listen for when judging and enjoying a hi-fi system.

Spring Fever at Stereo Exchange drew an eclectic crowd. Here we watch, anxiously, as a Stereo Exchange representative calls out the names of raffle winners. Prizes included a Pro-Ject turntable, Meridian iPod dock, and a $2500 gift certificate!

And here we see <i>Stereophile</i>'s Mikey Fremer (short guy, crazy hair) chatting with Peachtree Audio's David Solomon and CSA Audio's Ralph Fonte.

At any real high end hi-fi event, there'll be great music, and Stereo Exchange's Spring Fever was no exception. Lori Lieberman dusted off her classic, "Killing Me Softly," and brought down the house.

Finally, any real high end hi-fi event will also have booze. On this occasion, Stereo Exchange's jovial staff members, Nelson and Tim, were happy to serve.

I've been chipping away for some time at the task of trying to put together a music lover's stereo system for about half the money of my last such effort: $2500 to $3750 now, vs around $7500 back in 2005. My timing was good: CD and DVD receivers are a hot product category, with several attractive new entries at various prices.