The 2004 Products of the Year Joint Budget Products of the Year

The 2004 Products of the Year Joint Budget Products of the Year

<I>Stereophile</I>'s "Products of the Year," now in its 13th year, recognizes those rare components that prove capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period. These are the components that can be recommended with no ifs or buts, that will grace any system in which they are used.

The 2004 Products of the Year Editor's Choice

The 2004 Products of the Year Editor's Choice

<I>Stereophile</I>'s "Products of the Year," now in its 13th year, recognizes those rare components that prove capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period. These are the components that can be recommended with no ifs or buts, that will grace any system in which they are used.

The 2004 Products of the Year Accessory

The 2004 Products of the Year Accessory

<I>Stereophile</I>'s "Products of the Year," now in its 13th year, recognizes those rare components that prove capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period. These are the components that can be recommended with no ifs or buts, that will grace any system in which they are used.

The 2004 Products of the Year Multichannel Music Component

The 2004 Products of the Year Multichannel Music Component

<I>Stereophile</I>'s "Products of the Year," now in its 13th year, recognizes those rare components that prove capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period. These are the components that can be recommended with no ifs or buts, that will grace any system in which they are used.

The 2004 Products of the Year Analog Source Component

The 2004 Products of the Year Analog Source Component

<I>Stereophile</I>'s "Products of the Year," now in its 13th year, recognizes those rare components that prove capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period. These are the components that can be recommended with no ifs or buts, that will grace any system in which they are used.

The 2004 Products of the Year Digital Source Component

The 2004 Products of the Year Digital Source Component

<I>Stereophile</I>'s "Products of the Year," now in its 13th year, recognizes those rare components that prove capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period. These are the components that can be recommended with no ifs or buts, that will grace any system in which they are used.

The 2004 Products of the Year Amplification Component

The 2004 Products of the Year Amplification Component

<I>Stereophile</I>'s "Products of the Year," now in its 13th year, recognizes those rare components that prove capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period. These are the components that can be recommended with no ifs or buts, that will grace any system in which they are used.

The 2004 Products of the Year Joint Loudspeakers

The 2004 Products of the Year Joint Loudspeakers

<I>Stereophile</I>'s "Products of the Year," now in its 13th year, recognizes those rare components that prove capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period. These are the components that can be recommended with no ifs or buts, that will grace any system in which they are used.

Ambisonic Revival

Ambisonic Revival

All but forgotten in the field of surround sound are the efforts of UK classical music label <A HREF="http://www.wyastone.co.uk">Nimbus Records</A>. More than 25 years ago, Nimbus recorded with Peter Fellgett and Michael Gerzon's two-channel&ndash;compatible, matrixed UHJ Ambisonic Surround system, using multi-capsule Calrec Soundfield microphones. Other labels, including Unicorn-Kanchana, also supported Ambisonic, releasing such rarities as a UHJ Ambisonic recording of the soundtrack to <I>North By Northwest</I> on LP. Playback decoders were available from the UK's National Research and Development Council (NRDC) and speaker manufacturer IMF. As timing would have it, the Ambisonic releases appeared when users could still recall the unfortunate experience of 1970s quadraphony, and Dolby Digital was still some years off. However, those who have heard proper demonstrations maintain that the UHJ Ambisonic technique remains the most convincing surround-sound format ever.

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