One reason I have never felt the need to invest in a high-end home-theater system is that it is all too easy for me to go 'round to Tom Norton's house. As well as contributing the amplifier measurements and the all-too-rare component review for <I>Stereophile</I>, Tom is technical editor of our companion book, <I>Stereophile Guide to Home Theater</I> (footnote 1). As you might expect, he has access to video equipment that the rest of us can only dream about.

<I>The Pennsylvania Gazette</I> documented an early connection between music and an American named Winey when, in 1759, it listed for sale as part of an estate "a middle sized organ, having eight stops." Interested parties were directed to one Jacob Winey, a Philadelphia merchant.

<I>The Pennsylvania Gazette</I> documented an early connection between music and an American named Winey when, in 1759, it listed for sale as part of an estate "a middle sized organ, having eight stops." Interested parties were directed to one Jacob Winey, a Philadelphia merchant.

Most of us have at least some taste for gear that <I>jumps out</I>&mdash;for audio components whose sonic and musical distinctions are easy to hear from the start. In audio, unlike in the art of music itself, there's nothing wrong with being obvious.

Most of us have at least some taste for gear that <I>jumps out</I>&mdash;for audio components whose sonic and musical distinctions are easy to hear from the start. In audio, unlike in the art of music itself, there's nothing wrong with being obvious.

Most of us have at least some taste for gear that <I>jumps out</I>&mdash;for audio components whose sonic and musical distinctions are easy to hear from the start. In audio, unlike in the art of music itself, there's nothing wrong with being obvious.

Most of us have at least some taste for gear that <I>jumps out</I>&mdash;for audio components whose sonic and musical distinctions are easy to hear from the start. In audio, unlike in the art of music itself, there's nothing wrong with being obvious.

Most of us have at least some taste for gear that <I>jumps out</I>&mdash;for audio components whose sonic and musical distinctions are easy to hear from the start. In audio, unlike in the art of music itself, there's nothing wrong with being obvious.

My last visit to Planet Halcro transformed my audio life. All but the newest readers will recall that the Australian <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/683">dm58 power amplifier was <I>Stereophile</I>'s <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/features/724/index2.html">Amplification Component of the Year</A> and overall <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/features/724/index8.html">Component of the Year</A> for 2002. To this day, I have yet to hear any amplifier that equals the dm58's combination of complete neutrality, harmonic generosity, lightning reflexes, and a sense of boundless power that is difficult to describe. Though some others have come close, the dm58 shines as a singular beacon of excellence among power amplifiers.

My last visit to Planet Halcro transformed my audio life. All but the newest readers will recall that the Australian <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/683">dm58 power amplifier was <I>Stereophile</I>'s <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/features/724/index2.html">Amplification Component of the Year</A> and overall <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/features/724/index8.html">Component of the Year</A> for 2002. To this day, I have yet to hear any amplifier that equals the dm58's combination of complete neutrality, harmonic generosity, lightning reflexes, and a sense of boundless power that is difficult to describe. Though some others have come close, the dm58 shines as a singular beacon of excellence among power amplifiers.