Analog sources: Kuzma Stabi R turntable/4Point tonearm/EMT TSD15 N MC cartridge, Luxman LMC-5 cartridge.
Preamplification: Sugden LA-4 line preamplifier; Tavish Audio Design Adagio phono preamplifier.
Power amplifier: Pass Labs XA-25.
Loudspeakers: DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96.
Cables: Interconnects: Triode Wire Labs Spirit II (RCA), Analysis Plus Silver Apex (RCA). Speaker: Analysis Plus Silver Apex Speaker (bananas). AC: Triode Wire Labs Obsession NCF.
Accessories: Pro-Ject VC-S2 ALU Record Cleaning Machine; Audio Desk Systeme Vinyl…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
What does it mean to be Stereophile's Product of the Year? It's an honor, certainly, and probably helps the winner sell more products, but is there anything more we can say about it?
The PotY competition is the culmination of a whole year of the magazine's work, starting with the choice of products to review. Only products we review or consider carefully in a column qualify for the competition, and every product we review is eligible for the competition: We only review products we think will have a decent shot at being among the best.
Every product is subjected by the reviewer…
Amplification Component of the Year
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…
Joint Analog Components of the Year
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…
Digital Component of the Year
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…
Headphone Product of the Year
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…
Accessory of the Year
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…
Loudspeaker of the Year
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)
…
Budget Component of the Year
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…
Component of the Year
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…