[rmihai0]

This is a pool. Please pick and vote your product of the year:

Amplifiers/Pre-amplifiers Budget
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO Azur 640 A
NAD C 320 BEE
MICROMEGA A 60
MYRIAD Z 140
THULE AUDIO Spirit IA 60
VINCENT SV 226 Mk2

Amplifier/ Pre-amplifier Mid-priced
ARCAM "Diva" A 80
TALISMAN T35HP T54A
REGA Mira 3
XINDAK XA 6800
MUSICAL FIDELITY X-150
CYRUS 8

Amplifiers/ Pre-amps up to $2200 (1700 euro)
YBA Initial
CAYIN TA 30
SPHINX Myth 5
ROTEL RC - 1090
CYRUS Electronics Pre X
NEODIO Model 61
ADVANCE ACOUSTIC MAP 307
AVI S 21 MI
CAYIN SC - 6 LS
PLINIUS 9100
AUDIO ANALOGUE Maestro Stanta

CD Player/Transport/DAC Budget
MARANTZ CD 5400 OSE
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO Azur 640 C
ROTEL RCD - 1072

CD Player/Transport/DAC Mid-Priced
CONSONANCE CD 120
NAIM CD 5i

CD Player/Transport/DAC up to $2200 (1700 euro)
CREEK CD 50 Mk2
QUAD CD - P
MUSICAL FIDELITY 3.2 CD
LINN Genki

Speakers - budget
STUDIO LAB SLB 102
TANNOY Fusion 1
JM LAB Chorus 706 S
BOSTON Cr 77
WHARFEDALE Diamond 9.5
QUAD 11 L
MISSION M 34
TRIANGLE Galaxy
ATHOM Sirocco
SONUS FABER Concertino

Speakers Mid-priced
MISSION M 35
ADVANCE ACOUSTIC MA 257
CHARIO Silhouette 2000 Tower
TRIANGLE Altea ES
DYNAUDIO Audience 52 SE
A2T
ATHOM Ghibli
JBL Northridge E 100
TRIANGLE Antal Es
CONSONANCE Eric 1
B & W 705

Speakers up to $2200 (1700 euro)
SONUS FABER Concerto
CABASSE Altura Riva
CABASSE Java MT 420 R
JM REYNAUD Cantabile 3
CANTON Ergo 902 DC
ATHOM Dzhari Mk2
B & W 704
ATHOM Joran
JM LAB Electra 907 Be
REGA R 7

[TheChairGuy]

Many of these seem not to be widely available in the US...is this a Cdn or Brit magazine of website nominating these?

I own the little Quad 11L and it's good for $700...but I think the various Brit mags overrated it a bit (the finish is scintillating, tho).  I don't think that much of their lesser priced stablemates, the Diamond 8-series from Wharfedale, either (tho the entry price of under $300 on the first couple models seems to be a better value proposition than the Quad 11L).

I heard the Quad 21L (floorstander) at the recent CES Show....and again came away mostly unimpressed for the money (I can't remember exactly, but it was north of $1000).  The electrostatic 988...ah, now that is another story entirely; but for $9000 it darn well should be.  

Different likes and dislikes this side of the pond I guess.

[Carlman]

I wish you'd given some explanation before posting this list.  What does it mean?  Why would anyone vote?
Here's a list I agree with:
http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/bma04/awards.html

[rmihai0]

what you proposed is a 100% American list. What I proposed is truly an international list. I don't see any point in keep discussing about the American products only. They are great products but there are other as good all over the world.

[djbnh]

No piece of Odyssey gear listed?

No Jolida JD-100 or Eastern Electric Minimax CDPs in the budget CD category?

No Cary? No Wadia? No Wilson Audio? Etc? Etc? Etc?

No sense....

[Hantra]

My pick for 2004 Product Of The Year:



The 2004 Merecedes Benz SL600

[MaxCast]

I'll vote for Hantra's nominee.  Of course I'd get the extended cab, 3/4 ton, 8' box, 4x4 version.

[TheChairGuy]

what you proposed is a 100% American list. What I proposed is truly an international list. I don't see any point in keep discussing about the American products only. They are great products but there are other as good all over the world.

rmihai0,

Most of the audience here is American and as we have little exposure or opportunity to hear any of the equipment listed you will get relatively few responses or votes.  It's not that we are American snobs, it's just that we don't get all these brands...or, at least, not get to hear them conveniently.

As you are in Canada, with possibly wider access many of the Brit, and French brands listed, please hunt them down, listen to a bunch of them for us and make light of your findings.

[Carlman]

what you proposed is a 100% American list. What I proposed is truly an international list. I don't see any point in keep discussing about the American products only. They are great products but there are other as good all over the world.

I didn't propose anything and the 6moons list has worldwide gear on it so, again I don't get your point.  I put a link to a 'best of' source that I agree with that has gear of many origins.  If your real point is to discuss the best non-American hifi, it would have been clear if you'd stated that initially... instead of essentially 'here's a list, pick from it'...

I'd be really curious to hear what the point of your original post is.

[JoshK]

rmihai0,

Did you listen to all that gear?  Wow!  That is a discipline in and of itself.  Surely I wouldn't want to go through all that gear evaluation, to me that takes all the fun out of music.  I don't keep up with all the raved about gear or products of the month.  

I also don't want to put forth a nod for something I haven't heard.  Another thing is that I wouldn't give it a nod just because it is new this year, it would really have to displace gear from years before to get my nod and that is just too much stuff to go through.  

My only rec for gear that came out this year would be the CDM Kit that Ken, Limin & Steve are offering.  Also, probably the Stello Digital gear that I got to hear once.

[corwin99]

My pick for 2004 Product Of The Year:

The 2004 Merecedes Benz SL600

My Old man has the 2003 SL500... one helluva ride. Don't try and open the top while you are at a stop light though, because once you start moving the car you can't keep moving the top down    

[BeeBop]

This is a pool. Please pick and vote your product of the year:

Amplifiers/Pre-amplifiers Budget
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO Azur 640 A
NAD C 320 BEE
MICROMEGA A 60
MYRIAD Z 140
THULE AUDIO Spirit IA 60
   :        :
   :
 ...

No Bryston, Classe, Sim, Paradigm, ASL, Reference 3A, ....

Are you sure you're from Canada? Sticky Wicket wot?