SoundStage!

Why is this man kneeling? You have to in order to lift an amp like the Convergent Audio Technology JL2 Signature Mk 2 -- use the legs, not the back. Ken Stevens accepts the award for the Edge of the Art product, not Heaviest Amplifier, and a well-deserved honor it is. [E-mail]

"If I had to pick a single amplifier as my favorite, even among the many truly great amps that I've heard, it would be the latest version of Ralph Karsten's OTL powerhouse, the MA-2 Mk III monoblock," wrote Marc Mickelson in defense of naming co-winners of the Edge of the Art award. Ralph Karsten wasn't arguing as he accepted the award from Marc. [www.atma-sphere.com]

The Aesthetics & Sound award went to Paradigm for the petite Reference Signature S1 v.2 speaker. Mark Aling (left) and Jack Shafton flank the little S1 v.2 and accept the award. [www.paradigm.com]

The KEF Reference 201/2 speaker embodied Innovation & Design with its Uni-Q coincident driver, and it did do in a small, attractive package. Accepting the award are Steve Halsall (left) and Richard Colburn of KEF America.

Crystal Griffith of Audio-Technica accepts the Exceptional Value award for her company's AT-OC9ML/II phono cartridge, which made writer John Crossett question "whether spending more money on a higher-priced moving-coil cartridge is really necessary."

This chorus line -- (left to right) Paul Chen, Joseph D’Appolito, Carter Tracht, Stan Tracht and Jonathan Scull -- accept the Best Product Debut award for the Usher Audio Be-718 speaker.

Cerwin-Vega didn't make it to Las Vegas for CES, but the company's Budget Leader award did. The US Postal Service will be making the presentation, folks.

The Convergent Audio Technology SL-1 preamp -- in its various configurations -- has been around for over 20 years. If it doesn't belong in an audio Hall of Fame, we don't know what does. Ken Stevens accepts his second award for his long-lasting preamp -- now in its Renaissance version (shown). [E-mail]