Prices: $5995 (SXR), $1695 (S1), $195 (Damping Plate), $32.50 (Nimbus Coupler), $43 (Nimbus Spacer)

Website: www.avisolation.com

He said: Audition a Harmonic Resolution Systems SXR rack, Nimbus System, and Damping Plates, and see what a coherent, complementary, and thoroughly choreographed resonance-control system can do for your components.

Read the Ultra Audio review.

The gist: If vibrations are the disease, here’s the cure.

Price: $5860

Website: www.headphone.com

He said: By giving you the choice of audiophile quality listening via speakers or headphones, you get the best of both worlds wrapped up in a neat little package.

Read the SoundStage! review.

The gist: Working late at the office never sounded so good.

Prices: $10,660 (MXR), $2495 each (M3)

Website: www.avisolation.com

He said: First, the means employed by Chief Engineer Michael Latvis to mitigate all manner of vibration is, by any subjective or objective standard, extreme. Second, from what I can see, the materials used are the absolute best the industry has to offer.

Read Ultra Audio’s TWBAS 2009: The Arrival and The Event.

The gist: The ultimate in vibration control for your SOTA sound system.

Price: $249

Website: www.phiaton.com

He said: Phiaton has a long road to travel to be the equal of the big boys of the headphone world, but then, those companies aren’t producing headphones that offer the looks and sound of the MS 400s along with factory-direct pricing.

Read the SoundStage! review.

The gist: High-tech ear candy.