There's nothing groundbreaking about the technology included in Naim's new $22,400, two-box, remote-controllable, top-of-the-line NAC 552 preamplifier. Still, the inclusion of <I>two</I> sets of RCA input jacks is a departure from Naim's tradition of DIN jacks, and the NAC 552's programmability is unusual for a high-end two-channel audio product. And you can order RCA output jacks at no extra cost, which is how my review sample was configured.

Have you ever had one of those conversations with your Significant Other that begins "But I thought you said..." and goes downhill from there? The Other's tone is condescending, and the body language&mdash;hands on hips, head slightly tilted&mdash;lets you know you're in big trouble.

Have you ever had one of those conversations with your Significant Other that begins "But I thought you said..." and goes downhill from there? The Other's tone is condescending, and the body language&mdash;hands on hips, head slightly tilted&mdash;lets you know you're in big trouble.

Have you ever had one of those conversations with your Significant Other that begins "But I thought you said..." and goes downhill from there? The Other's tone is condescending, and the body language&mdash;hands on hips, head slightly tilted&mdash;lets you know you're in big trouble.

Have you ever had one of those conversations with your Significant Other that begins "But I thought you said..." and goes downhill from there? The Other's tone is condescending, and the body language&mdash;hands on hips, head slightly tilted&mdash;lets you know you're in big trouble.

Have you ever had one of those conversations with your Significant Other that begins "But I thought you said..." and goes downhill from there? The Other's tone is condescending, and the body language&mdash;hands on hips, head slightly tilted&mdash;lets you know you're in big trouble.

Have you ever had one of those conversations with your Significant Other that begins "But I thought you said..." and goes downhill from there? The Other's tone is condescending, and the body language&mdash;hands on hips, head slightly tilted&mdash;lets you know you're in big trouble.

Have you ever had one of those conversations with your Significant Other that begins "But I thought you said..." and goes downhill from there? The Other's tone is condescending, and the body language&mdash;hands on hips, head slightly tilted&mdash;lets you know you're in big trouble.

Harman International announced July 1 that it will close its Madrigal facility in Middletown, CT on August 30 as it continues to consolidate and reorganize its high-end brands under the <A HREF="http://www.harmanspecialtygroup.com/">Harman Specialty Group</A> banner. Although the name Madrigal was itself not used as a brand on audio products, it had been the umbrella under which Harman had produced and distributed its Mark Levinson, Revel, Audio Access, and (<A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11612/">recently discontinued</A>) Proceed brands.