Series 4

The KEF Wireless System can transmit CD-quality sound via a proprietary 2.4GHz transmission technology that is said to be free from unwanted interference. Each speaker's receiver unit, which is built into the stand shown above, contains a 50W class-D amplifier and is designed specifically for KEF's 5000-series speakers. One transmitter and a stereo pair of receivers costs $599. The system can also be purchased for the same price with receivers that can be connected to any speaker. KEF says that this system will be available in May.

The Criterion ($42,500 without tonearm, $45,500 with) is the newest turntable from Continuum Audio of Australia. It sounded terrific through a pair of Peak-Consult's new Princess Floorstanders ($10,500/pair).

The Concert Fidelity CF-080 line-stage preamp ($18,000) uses about as few tubes as a tubed preamp can: two 12AU7s and one 6C4A. The company calls it the "ultimate statement version" of its CF-040 preamp.

Esoteric will soon begin selling its own speakers with drivers that have magnesium diaphragms. The engineers at Esoteric chose magnesium because they felt that all other materials colored the sound. The stand-mounted MG-10 will cost $4500/pair, while the floorstanding MG-20 will cost $7500/pair.

Abbingdon Music Research showed the wildly exotic and heavy (93 pounds) CD-77 CD player, which features Philips TDA1541A 16-bit DACs, a proprietary top-loading transport mechanism, user-selectable sampling options, an NOS-tube-based analog stage, a USB input, a custom power cord, a custom interconnect, and many more features too numerous to mention here. The CD-77 is priced at $8500.

The folks at NuForce say that their new two-piece P-9 preamp can hold its own against any preamp in the world, regardless of price -- a bold claim given that the P-9 is only $2950. NuForce claims 0.0004% THD+N at 1kHz and a 5MHz bandwidth. The P-9 comes with a snazzy remote control. [www.nuforce.com]