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At the end of the last century—before phonograph records, television, "talking" films, and video—the world's concert halls and opera stages enjoyed the music of real live…

There are five individual categories: Loudspeakers (including subwoofers), Amplification Components (preamplifiers, power amplifiers, etc.), Digital Sources (CD players, transports, processors), Analog Sources (phono cartridges, turntables, tonearms, FM tuners, etc.), and Accessories (everything else).

The two most important categories, however, are the "Product…

Avantgarde Uno (review)
($10,970-$12,970/pair, depending on finish; reviewed by Robert Deutsch, Vol.23 No.9, September 2000 )

Dynaudio Evidence (review) ($85,000/pair; reviewed by Larry Greenhill, Vol.23 No.5, May 2000)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order):
Acarian Systems Alón Circe ($12,000/pair; reviewed by Wes Phillips & Jonathan Scull, Vol.22 No.5 & Vol.23 No.4, May 1999 & April 2000)
Infinity Prelude MTS (review) ($8000/pair; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.5, May 2000)
Magnepan MG3.6/R ($4200/pair;…

McIntosh MC2000 Commemorative Edition power amplifier (review) ($15,000; reviewed by Sam Tellig & Jonathan Scull, Vol.22 No.11 & Vol.23 No.3, November 1999 & March 2000)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order):
Accuphase M-2000 power amplifier ($27,000; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Vol.23 No.2, February 2000)
Audio Research Reference Two preamplifier (review) ($9995; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.9, September 2000)
Balanced Audio Technology VK-50SE preamplifier ($7000; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Vol.22 No.12,…

Rockport Technologies System Sirius III turntable (review) ($73,750 with tonearm; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.8, August 2000)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order):
Basis Gold Debut Vacuum turntable ($8200; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.1, January 2000)
Grado Reference Platinum phono cartridge ($300; reviewed by Robert J. Reina, Vol.23 No.4, April 2000)
Lyra Helikon phono cartridge ($2495; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.23 No.8, August 2000)
Music Hall MMF 5 turntable ($499 with arm and cartridge; reviewed by Michael…

PS Audio P300 Power Plant (review) ($995; reviewed by Robert Deutsch & John Atkinson, Vol.22 No.12 & Vol.23 Nos.5 & 12, December 1999, May 2000, & December 2000)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order):
Arcici Suspense Rack ($2299; reviewed by Shannon Dickson, Vol.23 No.1, January 2000)
ASC Tube Traps ($248-798; reviewed by Brian Damkroger, Vol.23 No.2, February 2000)
Bright Star Rack of Gibraltar 2 Equipment Rack ($1995; reviewed by Brian Damkroger, Vol.23 No.5, May 2000)
Cardas Golden Cross loudspeaker cable ($1428/5' pair;…

Sony SCD-1 Super Audio CD player (review) ($5000; reviewed by Jonathan Scull & Michael Fremer, Vol.22 No.11, November 1999)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order):
Accuphase DP-75V CD player (review) ($11,000; reviewed by Jonathan Scull, Vol.23 No.7, July 2000)
Arcam FMJ CD23 CD player (review) ($1999; reviewed by Lonnie Brownell, Vol.23 No.7, July 2000)
Burmester Reference Line 969 CD transport & 970 DAC ($60,500; reviewed by Kalman Rubinson, Vol.22 No.12, December 1999)
California Audio Labs Sigma II D/A processor ($750; reviewed…

Digital Audio Labs CardDeluxe PC soundcard (review) ($595; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.23 Nos.9 & 11, September & November 2000)
Vandersteen 2Ce Signature loudspeaker (review) ($1495/pair, optional bases cost $125/pair; reviewed by Chip Stern, Vol.23 No.10, October 2000)

On even days of the week during the preparation of this feature, I decided I would make the latest version of the Vandersteen 2Ce loudspeaker my Editor's Choice for 2000. I first read a review of the Vandersteen Model 2 in a 1977 issue of The Audio Critic, and…

MSB LinkDAC III Full Nelson D/A processor (review) ($1382; reviewed by Kalman Rubinson & Robert Deutsch, Vol.23 Nos.9 & 12, September & December 2000)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order):
Acoustic Energy Aegis One loudspeaker (review) ($299/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.23 No.5, May 2000)
Audio Electronic Supply AE-25 SuperAmp power amplifier ($1200; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.23 No.7, July 2000)
Musical Fidelity A300 integrated amplifier ($1495; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.23 No.3, March 2000)
Music Hall MMF 5…

Rockport Sirius III turntable (review)
Sony SCD-1 SACD player (review)

Runners-Up (in alphabetical order):
Avantgarde Uno loudspeaker (review)
Dynaudio Evidence loudspeaker (review)
Krell FPB 350mc monoblock power amplifier (review)
Marantz SA-1 SACD player (review)
Mark Levinson No.32 preamplifier (review)
McIntosh MC2000 Commemorative Edition power amplifier (review)
Meridian 800 DVD/CD transport (review)
PS Audio P300 Power Plant (review)

It's hard to make a choice from such an awesome list of…