Now this was a surprise. Not that the Audio Research VSi60 integrated amplifier doesn't belongat the top of this list-it certainly does, and it got my vote-but you've got to admit that there are some other heavyweights in this category. We've got the jewel-like The Tube from Einstein Audio, the bespoke Fi 2b, and the extremely pleasurable darTZeel NHB18NS, to name just a few. Meanwhile, the VSi60 is also one of the most affordable products in the running. How do you like that? I, for one, like it very much, but I'm not alone: The VSi60 received votes from seven of our writers, not only winning this competition but pulling far ahead of the pack.

The 50Wpc Audio Research VSi60 is a beast-a sexy beast, a sexy American beast. It looks as if it will whip the living spit out of your prissy little speakers. You want this thing in your listening room. In the VSi60, a passive line stage is combined with a JFET input stage driving one 6H30 driver tube per channel. Each channel's output stage has a matched pair of Svetlana 6550C push-pull tubes with a combination of pentode operation and ARC's "partially cathode-coupled topology." (Yeah, whatever. Tubes!) And it's convenient to use: The VSi60 provides 4 and 8 ohm output taps, as well as four pairs of voltmeter test points to ensure accurate bias.

The sound? Though it lacked the ultimate control of more powerful amplifiers, the VSi60 combined a glorious midrange with clean, detailed high frequencies and outstanding low-level dynamic articulation. "In the VSi60, Audio Research has produced an integrated amplifier of staggering quality, versatility and value," said Bob Reina.