First Watt J2Price: $4000

Website: www.firstwatt.com

Vade said: The J2 is one of the best amplifiers I’ve heard, regardless of the type of circuit used, and it provides an opportunity to own a product from audio master Nelson Pass at a moderate cost. I thought I was a hopeless tubeaholic, but I think I’ve just been cured.

Read the Ultra Audio review.

The gist: Solid-state circuit, tube-like sound.