Vincent was showing a room full of well-built, good-sounding, surprisingly affordable tube gear.The first thing that caught my eye (ear) was the 60Wpc V-60 ($3995). The V-60 sports four EL-34s per channel for that classic themionic caramel color (but just the teensiest bit). Pairs of 69273 and 6FQ7s complete the complement. Another sweet spot I never wanted to leave.

Another massive integrated that impressed me was Plinius' 200Wpc Hiato ($8900), which can also include a modular phono section ($1275). It accepts RCA and XLR inputs. Weighing in at a whopping 60 lbs, the Hiato sounded sauve and unflappable, living up to its name, which means "coming together in harmony" in Maori.

Kevin Halverson was excited about the latest version of the Model 200 integrated amplifier ($3750), which has a larger display than the older version, as well as an active front panel optional module ($50), which allows yu to control the 200 with any Muse remote control. Additional Modular Audio/Video Platform modules (MAPs) accommodate analog or digital inputs ($750/ea).

S/PDIF, Meridian Speakerline, Comm S, 12 volt triggers and assorted connectors on the back of the Control 20.

The recent marriage between Meridian and Sooloos didn't take long to bear progeny. They've started resorting the Sooloos line of media server products beginning with the Control:One touchscreen which is now the Control 10.

I've always maintained that whatever the mass market selects, audiophiles then perfect. Meaning that we make silk purses out of the format sow's ears thrown our way.

PS Audio is also showing a prototype of the new PerfectWave DAC/pre, also slated for around $2999, and sporting a touch screen. There are four HDMI imputs on the back (only compatible with their I²S flavor of HDMI) and a touchscreen on the front for controlling volume and such.

Last year PS Audio <A HREF="http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2008/010808psps/">teased us</A> with a prototype disc player called the memory link which never quite made it to production. Instead, the company evolved the idea further and created a new line of products branded PerfectWave.

The show is about to begin, and John Atkinson is getting the annual Product of the Year awards ready for handout.