Series 1

The new 100Wpc B100 SST integrated amp ($2600) replaces the very popular B60 in Bryston's product line. The new 2B SST power amp (not shown, $1695) can be used with the B100 SST for biamping.

Halcro unveiled a half-dozen new products -- four new power amps and two surround-sound processors. Shown above and below is the MCA20 modular stereo power amp ($4500), whose most interesting feature is the ability for the amp to phone home -- i.e., e-mail the factory -- if a module experiences problems.

The MCA20's rear panel. To the lower left is an Ethernet port. The seven-channel MCA70 ($7000), five-channel MCA50 ($6000) and three-channel MCA30 ($5000) are also new and have similar features.

Halcro's SSP100 surround-sound processor/preamp ($10,000) has a bevy of processing modes and features, including HDMI video switching. A less expensive SSP80 ($8000) is also available.

Halcro's UNI90 universal A/V player ($7000) won't begin shipping until March...,

...but McIntosh's MVP861($4000) universal player is available now.

So is Esoteric's DV-50S ($6000), the updated version of the very popular DV-50 universal player. Esoteric assured us that any changes between the two models affect video performance only -- there is no new audio circuitry in the DV-50S. Also, the DV-50S is available in silver only.

Paradigm's mighty little UltraCube subwoofer ($799) uses a 500W class-D FTC-rated amp. [www.paradigm.com]