Thomas J. Norton listens to the Theta Dreadnaught II multichannel amplifier, the latest in a growing family from a company known for its digital converters, transports and surround processors. TJN determines if the amp, which is configurable from two to five channels, lives up to Theta's admirable audiophile reputation.

Joel Brinkley checks out the Panasonic TU-DST52 digital receiver, noting that this is the latest generation DTV unit from the company that created the very first model released in the US. "These products have been among the best. This latest incarnation is no exception."

From the November 2003 issue, Thomas J. Norton scrutinizes the Sonus Faber Cremona surround speaker system, noting that although SF speakers are generally known as very expensive, the compnay "has followed a different strategy with the Cremona, making sure from the get-go that the speaker is home-theater friendly."

J. Gordon Holt taps away at the titanium "Elliptical Oblate Spheroidal waveguides" of the JBL Performance surround-sound speaker system to help uncover clues to its sonic signature. But in the end, Holt finds that only extensive listening with both music and movies reveals the true measure of the JBL's unusual design.