Stereophile's Products of 2020 Amplification Component of the Year
Audio Research Reference 160S power amplifier ($20,000;
Benchmark LA4 preamplifier ($2599
Classé Delta Mono monoblock power amplifier ($21,998/pair;
Krell K-300i integrated amplifier ($7000, plus $1000 for DAC Board;
Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblock power amplifier ($16,990
PS Audio Stellar Phono phono preamplifier ($2499; reviewed by Michael Fremer, January 2020, Vol.43 No.1 Review)
Finalists
AMG Viella Forte Engraved Turntable ($25,000;
Lyra Atlas Lambda SL phono cartridge ($12,995;
Rega P10 turntable ($5695;
Sutherland Engineering Phono Loco phono preamplifier ($8200;
VPI HW-40 Anniversary Edition turntable ($15,000
======================================================================
Digital Component of the Year
HoloAudio May (Level 3) D/A processor ($4998;
Finalists
AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt D/A processor/headphone amplifier ($299.95;
Chord Hugo M Scaler Signal Processor ($4795;
T+A MP 3100 HD SACD player–D/A processor ($21,000;
Weiss DAC502 D/A processor ($9850;
Wolf Audio Systems Alpha 3 SX server ($9250;
=====================================================================
Headphone Product of the Year
Focal Stellia headphones ($2990;
RAAL-Requisite SR1a headphones ($3200;
Finalists
Abyss Ab-1266 Phi Tc headphones ($4999–$7995;
AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt D/A processor/headphone amplifier ($299.95;
Grado GS3000e headphones ($1799;
ZMF Vérité Closed headphones ($2495
====================================================================
Accessory of the Year
CAD Ground Control Grounding Boxes ($1999–$4500;
Finalists
DS Audio Vinyl Ionizer-001 ($1795;
Grand Prix Audio Monza Equipment Supports ($19,000 as equipped;
Ifi Audio Intona Nano Igalvanic3.0 USB Galvanic Isolator ($379;
Stylustimer ($19.95;
Wallytractor Universal Phono Cartridge Alignment Tool ($395
===========================================================================
Loudspeaker of the Year
Magico M2 ($56,000/pair plus $7500 for MPod bases;
Finalists
Vimberg Mino ($31,000/pair;
Vivid Kaya 45 ($18,000/pair;
Volti Audio Razz ($5999/pair,
Von Schweikert Ultra 55 ($100,000/pair,
Wilson Audio Sasha DAW ($37,900/pair;
=======================================================================
Budget Component of the Year
AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt USB D/A headphone amplifier ($299.95,
Finalists
Denafrips Ares II D/A processor ($768,
Elac Carina BS243.4 loudspeaker ($1199/pair;
GoldenEar BRX loudspeaker ($1599/pair;
JBL Stage A170 loudspeaker ($499.99/pair;
Rogue Sphinx V3 integrated amplifier ($1595
================================================================
Component of the Year
NAD M33 integrated amplifier ($4999;
Finalists
Audio Research Reference 160S stereo power amplifier ($20,000;
HoloAudio May (Level 3) D/A processor ($4998;
Krell K-300i integrated amplifier ($7000 plus $1000 for DAC option;
Magico M2 loudspeaker ($56,000/pair plus $7500 for MPod Bases;
Volti Audio Razz loudspeaker ($5999/pair;
Wilson Audio Sasha DAW loudspeaker ($37,900/pair;
