Stephen Mejias

Castle Acoustics is a brand we don’t talk too much about in the States. This is the Richmond Anniversary, its mirror-matched pairs beautifully veneered in luscious Lacewood.

I was drawn to the smoky, nearly sunburst finish of the Luxman D-30u CD player, which offers a choice between solid-state and ECC82 vacuum tube playback. The matching SQ-30u vacuum tube integrated amp offers 30Wpc and has a selectable MM/MC phono stage; MC cartridges are handled by a step-up trannie. Cool.

Luxman had a small, attractive, vintage-inspired system on display: The 12Wpc NeoClassico Series SQ-N10 vacuum tube amp (which includes a moving-magnet phono stage), a D-N10 CD player (not shown here), and lovely minimonitors made to match.

Here I am, whispering sweet nothings to PSB’s outstanding Alpha B1 ($279/pair)&#151only moments earlier, I was totally making out with it&#151one of my very favorite standmounted loudspeakers and our 2007 "Budget Product of the Year".

I’ve owned a pair of these overachievers for several years now, but mine are in a more modest black ash&#151not quite as sexy as this new high-gloss white finish. (I want it!)

“Oh, these are cute!” Rosemarie exclaimed.

She was immediately attracted to PSB’s new Imagine Mini ($700/pair), which made its debut at January’s Consumer Electronics Show.

Can you blame her? These loudspeakers are small, powerful, attractive, and fun. (And they match Rosemarie’s outfit.)

Sales coordinator Rosemarie Torcivia smiles for the camera; a large balloon hovers in the background, announcing the 2011 Munich High End Show.

We were impressed by the size and overall design of the M.O.C., site of the 2011 Munich High End Show.