Series 1
(All prices in US dollars unless otherwise indicated.)

Proof that Marc Mickelson's presence has once again brought snow to Montreal.

But it's warm inside the Sheraton, where the Festival Son & Image crowds haven't converged -- yet.

As Doug Schneider pointed out, the best sound we heard on the first day came courtesy of the Aurum Acoustics Integris CDP/Active 300B system. [www.aurumacoustics.com]

Derrick Moss of Aurum Acoustics (far left) hosts the SoundStage! Network gang. Next to Derrick is Jason Thorpe, with Philip Beaudette in the sweet spot and John Crossett behind and to the right. Marc Mickelson is scribbling listening notes behind Philip. [www.aurumacoustics.com]

As they did at CES, the guys from Verity Audio demonstrated the new Lohengrin II ($67,995/pair) in a large room, but this time the speakers were much farther apart -- 15 feet or more. Talk about a stereo spread! [www.verityaudio.com]

Wilson Audio's new Montreal dealer, Coup de Foudre, demonstrated WATT/Puppy 8s ($27,900) along with VTL electronics. Marc Mickelson, who recently reviewed the WATT/Puppy 8s, was struck by how different the speakers sounded in this room from his own -- leaner and more spacious -- perhaps due to the forest of room treatments. [www.wilsonaudio.com]