As promised here's my list of my favorite jazz release of 2005.

I've grouped them into two catagories, New Releases and Newly Discovered or Released Material.

In the Newly Discovered or Released Material catagory and 2005 was a big year for this catagory:

One Down, One Up - Live At The Half Note - The John Coltrane Quartet

In the recent thread "What is your favorite Jazz Release(s)?" the subject of the various releases, issues, remasterings and pressings of a given recording was touched upon. Instead of continuing to intrude on that fine thread I figured I start a fresh thread to share my thoughts on this subject.

I have a McIntosh MC-60 amplifier that I need a new phono preamp for, preferably tube, but I can't spend more than $1000. The choices seem endless and I'm not knowledgable or patient enough to sift through all of the possibilities out there. Can you guys give me some advice? I'm mainly into mono recordings from the '40s, '50s, and '60s, using CDs and vinyl/shellac at all the speeds. Any help appreciated!

The review of the Penaudio Serenade loudspeaker not only does justice to the speaker but puts the business of writing and reading reviews perfectly in perspective. OK, there's no DBT involved, but everything else one might want is there (objective tests, subjective tests, comparison with another respected product), with strengths and weaknesses described in detail and in plain language.

A guy I know at work is selling his custom built floor standing speakers. He claims that they contain the proAc response 2.5 speakers and paradigm monitor 7.

From looking on the internet I have only seen response 2.5 (D.I.Y) clones included in custom built cases.

Is it likely that these speakers are genuine or homemade?

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.