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Krell Audio Standard monoblock power amplifier ($35,000/pair; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.19 No.10, October 1996 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Audible Illusions Modulus 3A preamplifier ($1995; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 Nos.2 & 9, February & September 1996 Review)
Audio Research PH-3 phono preamplifier ($1495; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.9, September 1996)
Ayre V-3 power amplifier ($3450; reviewed by Sam Tellig & Wes Phillips, Vol.19 No.3, August 1996 Review)
Balanced Audio Technology VK-…

Nagra-D 4-channel open-reel digital recorder ($25,000–$35,000; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.19 No.1, January 1996 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Audio Alchemy DDS•Pro CD transport ($1595; reviewed by Kalman Rubinson, Vol.19 No.9, September 1996)
Audio Alchemy DTI•Pro 32 ($1595; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.19 Nos.3 & 7, March & July 1996 Review)
Audio Research CD-1 CD player ($2995; reviewed by Wes Phillips & Thomas J. Norton, Vol.18 No.12, December 1995, Vol.19 No.11, November 1996 Review)
Genesis Technologies…

Naim ARO tonearm ($2000; reviewed by Markus Sauer & Wes Phillips, Vol.16 No.6, June 1993; Vol.19 No.2, February 1996 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
AudioQuest 7000 Fe5 phono cartridge ($2550; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.4, April 1996 Review)
Clearaudio Insider phono cartridge ($7500; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Vol.19 No.5, May 1996)
Lyra Clavis Da Capo phono cartridge ($1895; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.19 No.4, April 1996 Review)
Rockport Series 6000 air-bearing tonearm ($4500; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.…

Acoustic Sciences Corporation Tube Traps ($189–$659; reviewed by J. Gordon Holt, Larry Archibald, Robert Harley, & Jack English, Vol.9 No.3, April 1986; Vol.15 No.2, February 1992; Vol.16 No.12, December 1993; & Vol.19 No.1, January 1996 Review)
Townshend Audio Seismic Sink ($150–$725; reviewed by Shannon Dickson & Michael Fremer, Vol.18 No.11, November 1995; Vol.19 No.1, January 1996)
VPI HW16.5 & HW-17 record-cleaning machines ($450 & $900, respectively; reviewed by Anthony H. Cordesman, Corey Greenberg, & Michael Fremer, Vol.8…

Lexicon DC-1 surround-sound processor ($1995–$4500; reviewed by J. Gordon Holt, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.2 No.4, Winter 1996; Vol.19 No.12, December 1996)

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Acarian Alón Trio C-1 surround loudspeaker system ($3975/system; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.2 No.3, Fall 1996)
Citation Model 7.0 surround-sound processor ($3950; reviewed by J. Gordon Holt, Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.2 No.2, Summer 1996)
Denon AVP-8000 AC-3/THX surround-sound processor…

McCormack Power Drive DNA-0.5 Special Edition amplifier
PSB New Stratus Mini loudspeake ($950/pair (matching stands add $179/pair); reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.19 No.6, June 1996 Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Acarian Alón Petite loudspeaker ($995/pair; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.19 No.1, January 1996; Stereophile Guide to Home Theater, Vol.2 No.3, Fall 1996 Review)
Audio Alchemy DDE v3.0 HDCD D/A processor ($799; reviewed by Robert Harley, Vol.18 Nos.7 & 12, July & December 1995)
Audio Alchemy Digital Line…

Nagra-D 4-channel open-reel digital recorder Review)

Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Aerial Acoustics 10T loudspeaker
Audio Alchemy DTI•Pro 32 jitter attenuator
Audible Illusions Modulus 3/3A preamplifier
Dunlavy Audio Labs Signature SC-VI loudspeaker
Jadis Eurythmie II loudspeaker ($40,000/pair; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Vol.19 No.3, March 1996 (footnote 1) Review)
JMlab Grand Utopia loudspeaker
Krell Audio Standard monoblock power amplifier
Lexicon DC-1 surround-sound processor
Mark Levinson No.331 power…

Nagra-D 4-channel open-reel digital recorder

In this case, the award is literal: Having borrowed a Nagra-D to produce Stereophile's Festival and Sonata CDs, I felt we had to purchase our own. This tiny Swiss gem of a component combines massive functionality—four channels, each with its own mike preamp, 20-bit A/D converter, and choice of analog or digital input/output, 24-bit data storage, PC control of all functions and settings—with sound quality to die for. Having just finished using the Nagra-D for our Serenade CD, I can't find a single area where the…

Setup and use
Connecting, configuring, and using the 2108 was straightforward. As on the 2008, each of the three balanced-only inputs (Boulder…