I just registered, and am hoping I can get some good advice. My old 2 channel receiver died after years of limping along. I have little interest in surround sound. I have a pair of ESM-2 speakers, and want to put my TV audio as well as my CD player through my speakers. I gave up on vinyl long ago, as I couldn't tolerate tics. My budget for a new receiver is around $650. I saw a good review of the Outlaw RR2150, but wonder whether an old classic in excellent condition would be even better: maybe a Pioneer SX-1050 or Sansui 9090DB.

Are there any significant downfalls to selecting bookshelf vs upright (not sure on the correct term here) speakers? At the moment I'm favoring bookshelf, mainly due to concerns with baby (5 months now but, not for long) sticking things in speakers, knocking them over etc. What might I be loosing with this choice? Is it easier to 'baby-proof' an upright setup or just go for the bookshelf? Anyone have simliar concerns or experiences?

- Mark

I have recently acquired a Prima Luna Prologue Three preamp. I sm real pleased with the sound quality. My amp is a solid state MCA 20 Anthem. I have wondered if I went to Tube in my amp as well as the preamp would I enhance the sound even more. Two sources that I have relied on in the past have come up with opposite opinions. One says B&W is really not suited to Tubes. The other has said B&W was made for Tubes. I would like to hear what you experts have to say to a neophite in the field. Thanks in advance for your help. JNorth

...give consumers what they want, and they happily open their wallets...

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070705-growing-digital-music-singles-killing-the-album.html

David Cameron, Conservative Party leader in the U.K. delivers a speech to the British Phonographic Industry.

http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.press.release.page&obj_id=137437

I found this article interesting. Is wire just a wire at audio frequencies?

http://www.essex.ac.uk/ese/research/audi...ables_1985).pdf