Premiere Design

Most CD players and transports are relatively featureless, boring rectangular boxes, but not the Kalista from French boutique maker <A href="http://www.metronome-technologie.com">Metronome Technologie</A>. Distributed in the US by <A href="http://tmhaudio.com">TMH Audio</A>, the Kalista looks more like a modern sculpture, though it offers plenty of substance in addition to some serious style.

Unless you're a serious audiophile, you might not know the name <A href="http://www.goldmund.com">Goldmund</A>. After 30 years making ultra-high-end audio components, this Swiss company is expanding into the realm of home theater. But if you think it's simply offering projectors and surround-sound systems, think again. When you contact Goldmund to discuss home theater, you'll be talking about a <I>complete</I> media room that the company will design, build, equip, and calibrate from beginning to end.

When you think about the components of any audio system, things like speakers, power amps, and source devices undoubtedly come to mind. You might even consider the room as a component. But what about the seat in which you sit to enjoy the music? Most chairs are not designed specifically for that particular endeavor, leaving you with a pain in the neck and/or back after extended periods, and some actually interfere with perceiving the best possible sound. To overcome the limitations of this "forgotten component," a Swedish company called <A href="http://www.klutzdesign.com">Klutz Design</A> has developed the Ballerina Sweetspot, a prototype chair that is optimized for just one thing&#151;listening.

In this blog, I often focus on products that are at home in a home theater, but when a press release about the new <A href="http://www.perreaux.com/products/eloquence/250i_-_250w_stereo_integrated... &#233;loquence 250i</A> reached my inbox, I was intrigued. It claims to be the world's most powerful Class AB stereo integrated amp, so I had to investigate further.