Friday, April 2 -- Part 1

All prices are quoted in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

Blue Note's Reale speaker ($2500 CDN/pair) was used in a system with a Blue Note integrated amp and...

...a Blue Note Stibbert CD player ($4200 CDN). Blue Notes also uses the Stibbert's platform for a turntable.

Brinkmann's analog rig includes the Balance turntable ($12,900), 10.5" tonearm ($3500) and EMT cartridge ($2500)...

...along with the optional Brinkmann Tube turntable power supply ($2700).

One of most intriguing minimonitors we saw is the Aurum Cantus Leisure 2 CA ($1699 CDN/pair), with its ribbon tweeter and 14 layers of lacquer.

Blue Circle has started offering its electronics in an all-stainless-steel finish, which looks great. Above is the BC28 ($3995), a SoundStage! Reviewers' Choice, for which all-stainless finish adds $100. [www.bluecircle.com]