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Gryphon Apex Stereo power amplifier ($99,000; reviewed by Michael Fremer in August 2022, Vol.45 No.8 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Ayre Acoustics Ex-8 2.0 Integrated Hub ($6750–$8850; reviewed by Ken Micallef and John Atkinson in November & December 2021, Vol.44 Nos.11 & 12 review)
Gryphon Commander preamplifier ($63,000; reviewed by Michael Fremer in July 2022, Vol.45 No.7 review)
Luxman M-10x power amplifier ($19,995; reviewed by John Atkinson in May 2022, Vol.45 No.5 review)
Rotel Michi S5 power…

Clearaudio Reference Jubilee turntable ($30,000 inc. tonearm; reviewed by Ken Micallef in July 2022, Vol.45 No.7 review)
J.Sikora Reference turntable ($47,000 w/o tonearm; reviewed by Michael Fremer in July 2022, Vol.45 No.7 review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Channel D Lino C 3.3 phono preamplifier ($3799 basic model, $7082 as reviewed; Michael Fremer and John Atkinson in June & July 2022, Vol.45 Nos.6 & 7 review)
Linn Klimax LP12 record playing system ($30,120 inc. tonearm, MC cartridge, and phono…

dCS Rossini Apex D/A processor ($32,800; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus in Vol.45 No.10 review)

Finalists (In alphabetical order)
Burmester MusicCenter 151 MK2 D/A processor ($27,500; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus in May 2022, Vol.45 No.5 review)
CH Precision D1.5 SACD/CD player/ transport ($41,000–$46,000; reviewed by Jim Austin in March & May 2022, Vol.45 Nos.3 & 5 review)
Meitner MA3 Integrated D/A processor ($10,500; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus in June 2022, Vol.45 No.6 review)
Mola Mola Tambaqui D/A…

Meze Audio Elite headphones ($4000; reviewed by Herb Reichert in Vol.45 No.9 review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Audeze CRBN headphones ($4500; reviewed by Herb Reichert in Vol.45 No.1 review)
IFi Zen Can Signature headphone amplifier ($599 with ZEN DAC Signature V2; reviewed by Julie Mullins and Jim Austin in January & March 2022, Vol.45 Nos.1 & 3 review) Dan Clark Audio Stealth headphones ($4000; reviewed by Herb Reichert in July 2022, Vol.45 No.7 review)
Stax SR-X9000 headphones ($6200; reviewed by Herb Reichert…

Fozgometer V2 ($400; reviewed by Michael Fremer in May 2022, Vol.45 No.5 review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
AudioPraise VanityPro HDMI audio extractor ($1595; reviewed by Kal Rubinson in May 2022, Vol.45 No.5 review)
AudioQuest Dragon interconnect (XLR $11,900/1m pair, RCA $9500/1m pair; reviewed by Michael Fremer in September 2022, Vol.45 No.9 review)
AudioQuest Dragon Zero speaker cable ($27,500/8' pair; reviewed by Michael Fremer in September 2022, Vol.45 No.9 review)
Nordost QNet network switch ($3199.99; reviewed by…

KEF Blade Two Meta ($28,000/pair; reviewed by Kal Rubinson in Vol.45 No.9 review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Estelon Forza ($149,000–$163,000/pair depending upon finish; reviewed by Michael Fremer in November 2021, Vol.44 No.11 review)
Genelec G Three ($1590/pair; reviewed by Herb Reichert in August 2022, Vol.45 No.8 review)
MBL Radialstrahler 120 ($24,900/pair; reviewed by Julie Mullins in November 2021, Vol.44 No.11 review)
Perlisten S7t ($17,990/pair; reviewed by Kal Rubinson in December 2021, Vol.44 No.12 review)
…

Genelec G Three loudspeaker ($1590/pair; reviewed by Herb Reichert in August 2022, Vol.45 No.8 review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Bluesound PowerNode integrated amplifier ($899; reviewed by Ken Micallef in August 2022, Vol.45 No.8 review)
LSA VT-70 integrated amplifier ($1399; reviewed by Rogier van Bakel in October 2022, Vol.45 No.10 review)
Music Hall Stealth turntable ($1649; reviewed by Herb Reichert in October 2022, Vol.45 No.10 review)
Pro-Ject Debut Pro turntable ($999 w/tonearm & cartridge; reviewed by…

Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx V loudspeaker ($135,000–$151,000/pair depending on finish; reviewed by Jim Austin in December 2021, Vol.44 No.12 review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
dCS Rossini Apex D/A processor ($32,800; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus in October 2022, Vol.45 No.10 review)
Genelec G Three loudspeaker ($1590/pair; reviewed by Herb Reichert in August 2022, Vol.45 No.8 review)
KEF Blade Two Meta loudspeaker ($28,000/pair; reviewed by Kal Rubinson in September 2022, Vol.45 No.9 review)
Mola Mola Tambaqui D/A…

dCS Rossini Apex
With so many great products passing through my test lab and listening room this year, it was difficult to choose just one. I must give shoutouts to the KEF Blade Two Meta loudspeaker and the Channel D Lino C3.3 phono preamplifier for their audio engineering excellence. But in the end, the honors go to the dCS Rossini Apex. Yes, it also features superb engineering, but the two weeks it spent in my system after the test bench work was done were the most musically involving I have experienced from digital audio.—John Atkinson

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When a reader is unfamiliar with the other components I mention, my exposition…