Fred Manteghian does some heavy lifting to install the 120-pound <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?64">Ayre V-6 multichannel power amplifier</A> in his home theater system. But the sound is what counts, and FM reports that the V-6 is a breath of fresh Ayre.

Michael Fremer provides us with a primer on ribbon drivers in his review of the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?133">Piega P5 LTD surround speaker system</A>. Noting that the Piega is the latest in long line of neo-ribbon designs, Fremer says, "whether or not these are true purist ribbons, pseudo-ribbons, or a hybrid isn't important. What's important is the sound."

Joel Brinkley dials in the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?115">Sony SAT-HD200 and Zenith HD-SAT520 DirecTV/digital television receivers</A> finding that, although he still hasn't found the perfect DTV box, these two nearly identical units get close.

Joel Brinkley continues his never-ending quest for the latest in digital reception with his review of the <A HREF="http://www.guidetohometheater.com/showarchives.cgi?98">Samsung SIR-TS160 DTV/DirecTV receiver & SIR-T151 DTV receiver</A>. JB notes that, while the SIR-T151 is the least expensive digital receiver currently available, it still has plenty to offer.