Disc Player

Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD Player ($500)


It was a turbulent year for disc players, but also an exciting one. The landscape suddenly became difficult for standard definition DVD machines. Yes, we reviewed a lot of terrific ones early in the year, but they were badly upstaged in March when Toshiba introduced this little number. High-definition on a silver disc was here, and at $500 the HD-A1 was only $100 more than a top of the line video iPod! While the year saw more than a few fits and starts as two competing formats sputtered to life, the visible and audible results, for the dedicated videophile and audiophile alike, were little short of revolutionary.

While bargain hunters and newbies were shocked at the idea of a $500 DVD player, veteran videophiles knew that this was a remarkable price for such a cutting edge product. The HD-A1 had, and still has, its quirks, and has since been replaced by the new HD-A2. But as a trend-setter, and a product that produces the best video performance most of us have ever had access to at home, there can be no other choice for this award. Read Full Review

Honorable Mention
Sony PlayStation3 Blu-ray Disc Player ($600)

Blu-ray didn't get off to a good start in 2006, and it took until the end of the year
for players to come out that challenged the preeminence of the Toshiba HD-A1 in the format wars, not to mention doing justice to the increasing number of Blu-ray discs hitting the market. And for superb performance on Blu-ray, not to mention the fastest operation of any HD player on the market in either format, you can't beat the Sony PlayStation3. You not only get a Blu-ray player, but a gaming machine as a bonus. It's also the first Blu-ray player competitive in price with the HD-A1 HD DVD player. Now all you have to do is find one! Read Full Review

Surround Pre/Pro

Anthem AVM 50 ($4,699, Review Pending)


The Anthem AVM 50 has a feature set that reads like a cross between a mega-buck surround pre/pro and one of the ultra elite video processors of old. It not only features HDMI 1.1 switching, which is critical for Blu-ray and HD DVD, it also features broadcast grade video processing, transcoding and switching by Gennum. It has remarkable power in flexibility for the most complex and up-to-the-minute modern of systems, and yet it's simple and even intuitive to operate and use on a daily basis. It's also software upgradeable, providing some protection against obsolescence. More important still, its pure performance with picture and sound is outstanding, making this both an Ultimate Choice performer and a world class value.

Amplifier

NAD Masters Series M25 ($2,995, Review Pending)

Full-bodied, sweet, detailed, delicate. These are the words that describe the sound of the new NAD M25 amplifier. NAD has been known for its amplifiers for many years, amps that are no-nonsense and deliver far more than their prices might indicate. The Masters Series M25 is the company's first attempt at an amplifier that not only sounds but looks the part of an expensive, high-end design. And if $2,995 for 7 x 160W channels of superb amplification sounds expensive to you, you haven't been shopping around lately for multichannel power amps.

The NAD is a little sweet and soft rather than aggressive, but never shortchanges detail or depth. That's a perfect combination for flat or slightly bright speakers or recordings, and in particular makes great soundtracks sound spectacular. It's also beautifully built, like all the components in the Masters Series, which are getting glowing reviews for their sound quality. The M25 is no exception.

Honorable Mention: Rotel RMB-1077 ($2,499)


The RMB-1077 may be accurately dubbed a Class D amplifier, but it uses a refinement on that design known as ICEpower. ICE stands for Intelligent, Compact, Efficient, and is licensed from Bang & Olufsen (B&O). The technology has appeared in a number of recent amplifiers, many of them far more expensive than the Rotel.

While a bit restrained in air at the top and short of the ultimate in bottom-end tautness, the Rotel is nonetheless an open, detailed, clean, and relatively powerful 7.1-channel amp (100Wpc into 8 ohms) in a small, lightweight (17.2 lbs.) package. Revolutionary amplifier developments have been thin on the ground in the past decade or two; the ICEPower used in this impressive Rotel amp is definitely a rare exception. Read Full Review

Best Value

Sony VPL-VW50 "Pearl" Video Projector ($5,000)


Another no-brainer here. While prices have been coming down for some time, doing front projection right has remained a very expensive proposition. The Pearl isn't exactly cheap, but it's clearly in the price range of premium RPTVs and plasmas, and offers much better performance and a big screen impact that is the sole province of the front projector. The Pearl not only expands the front projector market as a whole, it completely redefines the performance expectations of any projector sitting anywhere near its price. A marvel, and more than being our Best Value of 2006, the Pearl is a cause for celebration! Read Full Review

Product of the Year

Pioneer Elite PRO-FHD1 Flat Panel ($8,000)


The PRO-FHD1 gets the nod here over its worthy competition by virtue of the staggering market presence of its category. Flat panels are the in thing, and this 1080p plasma sets a new standard for performance in this high profile category. Until recently flat panels have been a better choice for a second TV in the house than as a display for a dedicated theater environment serving a serious movie enthusiast. The PRO-FHD1 is not only outstanding in sharpness, detail and punch, it simply looks less digital and more natural than the competition. Just like the Pioneer Elite RPTVs of yesteryear, the PRO-FHD1 is as a high performance display aimed at the discerning and dedicated enthusiast. A true high-end product that stands tall in a category dominated by commoditized filler. Read Full Review