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Clearaudio Concept Active Wood turntable ($3700 and up; reviewed by Ken Micallef, June 2021, Vol.44 No.6 Review)
Thorens TD 124 DD turntable ($11,499; reviewed by Ken Micallef, August 2021, Vol.44 No.8 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Audio Research Reference Phono 3SE phono preamplifier ($17,000; reviewed by Michael Fremer, February 2021, Vol.44 No.2 Review)
OMA K3 turntable ($363,000 w/power supply and tonearm; reviewed by Michael Fremer, October 2021, Vol.44 No.10 Review)
Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2…

Okto DAC8 Stereo streaming D/A processor (€1203; reviewed by John Atkinson, February 2021, Vol.44 No.2 Review)
Grimm MU1 music streamer ($10,000 w/o internal storage; reviewed by John Atkinson, March 2021, Vol.44 No.3 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Accuphase Dg-68 Digital Voicing Equalizer ($24,000; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus, August & December 2021, Vol.44 Nos.8 & 12 Review)
Antipodes K50 server ($15,000; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus, October 2021, Vol.44 No.10 Review)
ExaSound…

Naim Uniti Atom HE headphone amplifier/streaming DAC ($3290; reviewed by Herb Reichert, September 2021, Vol.44 No.9 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Ampsandsound Bigger Ben headphone amplifier ($4950; reviewed by Herb Reichert, April 2021, Vol.44 No.4 Review)
Benchmark HPA4 headphone amplifier ($2999; reviewed by Herb Reichert, February 2021, Vol.44 No.2 Review)
Focal Clear Mg headphones ($1500; reviewed by Herb Reichert, September 2021, Vol.44 No.9 Review)
RAAL-Requisite HSA-1B headphone amplifier ($4500; reviewed…

AudioQuest Niagara 3000 ($3300; reviewed by Tom Gibbs and Fred Kaplan, January & August 2021, Vol.44 Nos.1 & 8 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Degritter record-cleaning machine ($3300; reviewed by Michael Fremer, January 2021, Vol.44 No.1 Review)
Shunyata Everest 8000 power conditioner ($8000; reviewed by Brian Damkroger, May 2021, Vol.44 No.5 Review)
Stillpoints component stand SS ($1999–$2799; reviewed by Michael Fremer, November 2020, Vol.43 No.11 Review)
WallyReference Azimuth Gauge ($275; reviewed by Michael…

Magico A5 ($24,800/pair; reviewed by Jim Austin, July 2021, Vol.44 No.7 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Dynaudio Confidence 30 ($21,000/pair; reviewed by Kal Rubinson, August 2021, Vol.44 No.8 Review)
KEF LS50 Meta ($1500/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, November 2020, Vol.43 No.11 Review)
Klipsch Forte IV ($4500/pair; reviewed by Ken Micallef, September 2021, Vol.44 No.9 Review)
Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX ($329,000/pair; reviewed by Michael Fremer, May 2021, Vol.44 No.5 Review)
Wilson Audio SabrinaX ($18,500/pair…

KEF LS50 Meta loudspeaker ($1500/pair, reviewed by John Atkinson, November 2020, Vol.43 No.11 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Elac Alchemy DPA-2 power amplifier ($1495; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus, June 2021, Vol.44 No.6 Review)
Elekit TU-8600RS stereo power amplifier ($1785; reviewed by Herb Reichert, May & August 2021. Vol.44 Nos.5 & 8 Review)
NAD C 298 stereo power amplifier ($1999; reviewed by Kal Rubinson, Vol.44 No.6 Review).
Okto DAC8 stereo streaming D/A processor (€1203; reviewed by John…

Magico A5 loudspeaker ($24,800/pair; reviewed by Jim Austin, July 2021, Vol.44 No.7 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Degritter record-cleaning machine ($2990; reviewed by Michael Fremer, January 2021, Vol.44 No.1 Review)
Gryphon Essence mono power amplifier ($45,980/pair; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus, December 2020, Vol.43 No.12 Review)
Okto DAC8 Stereo D/A processor (€1203; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.44 No.2 Review)
OMA K3 turntable ($363,000 including power supply, tonearm; reviewed by Michael Fremer, October 2021…

KEF LS50 Meta loudspeaker
There is no such animal as a "perfect loudspeaker." But within its limitations of limited maximum loudness—the LS50 Meta will work best in small or medium-sized rooms—and limited low-frequency extension (the reflex port is tuned to 51Hz), this immaculately finished minimonitor offers an almost complete absence of midrange coloration, a musically satisfying balance, and what I described in my review as a palpable "reach-out-and-touch" soundstage.

All this for just $1500/pair! Affordable almost perfection.—John Atkinson

With Michael Fremer of Stereophile and AnalogPlanet as headline guest, the event drew a…

The Riverside Church's Ambient Church presentation of Basinski's performance was scheduled for the evening of September 11, 2021—a Saturday. Saturday is my date night, which is sacred, so I was forced to decline.

Happily, though, my friend'…