Price: $1599

Website: www.nadelectronics.com

Sathyan said: The C 375DAC breathed new life into my speakers, headphones, and recordings. The DAC is a welcome addition that will allow many to forgo the expense of a standalone DAC. As the audio industry seems to be moving toward computer-based playback of hi-rez audio, the NAD C 375DAC should find a place in many listeners’ audio racks.

Read the GoodSound! review.

The gist: A good foundation for a high-end system.

Price: $4200

Website: www.taelektroakustik.de

Howard said: The T+A Elektroakustik E-Series Music Receiver is a chef of the future that will propel you into the new digital age of computer and streaming Internet audio. It’s also a chef of the past, allowing you to indulge in such traditional audio pastimes as playing a CD, listening to FM radio, or hooking up a tape deck or phono stage and turntable. It’s a fairly small, extremely well-made product that not only sounds fantastic, but is one of the coolest components to pass through my listening room in some time.

Read the SoundStage! Xperience review.

The gist: Audiophile receiver with German engineering.

Price: $6999

Website: www.musicalfidelity.com

Hans said: In aggregate, the M6 500i has qualities that I think would appeal to an array of listeners: superfluous power, musicality and warmth, resolution befitting a $6999 asking price, a proud lineage. Really, there’s a lot to like.

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: Beast of an integrated.

Price: $1895

Website: www.belcantodesign.com

Roger said: For $1895, this is a sweet little component that I won’t hesitate to recommend for its excellent combination of price, performance, and convenience in a compact, well-thought-out package.

Read the GoodSound! review.

The gist: All-in-one high-end sound.