Qinpu, JAS-Audio, Shanling
All prices in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Distributor Charisma Audio used a trio of Chinese-made products to create Standout sound. A Qinpu A-8000 Mk II integrated amp ($1899), whose looks and power output greatly belie its cost, drove glossy two-way, two-piece JAS-Audio Orsa speakers ($2799 per pair), with a Shanling CD-T300 CD player ($7999) as the source. Cables were from Acoustic Zen. This system had abundant high-frequency detail and midrange presence to go along with the distinctive looks of the components. We visited this room several times.