Al Griffin

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QI’m looking for a playback system that can rip, convert, and store my Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, CDs, and SACD/DVD-Audio discs in a format that preserves their high resolution and multichannel sound. I’ve looked at HTPCs and multi-bay drives but am having trouble finding a solution that’s affordable. Do you have any suggestions? —Stephen Romanelli / via e-mail

Small enough to sit on a computer desk—which is how it was set up at CEDIA—but powerful enough to drive a pair of tower speakers, ELAC’s new EA101EQ-G Element integrated amp is built to fit into a range of hi-fi scenarios. At $699, it also embodies the same easy-on-the-wallet ethos as the company’s popular, Andrew Jones-designed speakers.

With dedicated home theaters giving way to multipurpose media rooms, high ambient light rejecting screens have become an increasingly popular option for those seeking the ultra-large image that only projectors deliver.

Long known for affordable and custom install-friendly music servers, Fusion Research has a new model on display at CEDIA that combines two of its Solo servers in a single 1U chassis. The Duet ($799) provides two analog outputs using 192kHz/24-bit-capable Burr Brown DACs for installations where dual independent sources are required.