Wadia, Jeff Rowland Design Group, Dynaudio, Kubala-Sosna

Here is a refined two-channel system that will maintain domestic bliss. The speakers are small and distinguished-looking, the amplifiers are even smaller and can be tucked out of sight, and the CD player controls volume, so there's no need for a preamp. The particulars: a pair of Dynaudio Confidence C1 speakers ($6450 with stands), a pair of Jeff Rowland 201 mono amps ($4990 per pair), a Wadia 302 Series 3 CD player (below, $4450) and Kubala-Sosna interconnects and speaker cables. "Tonal rightness" is how Marc Mickelson summed up the sound. "And my wife would love that it wouldn't take up the entire living room."