All prices are in US dollars.

Both Pioneer and Panasonic showed production-version DVD recorders. On top is the Pioneer DVR-2000 ($2500), which will be available later this year, while Panasonic's DMR-E10 ($3000) is available now.

MSB's newest digital-to-analog converter is also the company's most complex and expensive unit to date. The Platinum Link ($3395) uses four 46-bit/384kHz ladder DAC modules in a dual-differential configuration. It's able to upsample CDs and decode datastreams up to 192kHz, which its front-panel LED readout will display.

Meridian used a gloss-black pair of the new top-of-the-line DSP8000 digital speakers ($45,000 per pair) in their darkened music-and-movie demo room, but this red pair was left sitting in plain sight -- for obvious reasons.

Among the many music-friendly features of Meridian's new 596 DVD player ($4250) are its FIFO (first in, first out) de-jitter circuitry and 24-bit/192kHz DACs.

Need the benefits of balanced power for more than just your audio system? Equi=Tech's ET12.5W ($5995) whole-house unit can bring balance to your electrical life.