Another vote for Jaga Jazzist.  Also I have been enamored by The Claudia Quintet and Kneebody,  both bands flexing some progressive muscle.  

I was at Primus Audio a couple weeks ago and they had a Simaudio player for around $2k that sounded good to my relaxed preferences. I think it was the Equinox. I would love to hear the Raysonic 128.

Go indie, support local businesses. I use Real Records and The Record Collector, both in Iowa City. At Real they usually can order whatever you want and have it in within a couple of days.

AMG's review on the latest album sums them up well: http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg...0:mi2ibk59fakn

I dont get to CMG much and maybe should because one of the major flaws with the Pitchfork list is the lack of Subtel's album... which made numero uno at CMG. However both sites number ones are very good.

Fortunately voices rarely impede my musical enjoyment. Blood Brothers, ISIS, Converge... all good. As far as ISIS goes they friggin rock. The new album is a bit calculated with less emotion than Panapticon or Oceanic imo (havnt heard their older stuff yet). But still great. Cant wait to see...

Well the Equinox is worth the price of admission and the long wait. Fantastic balance, resolution and construction. I only have the stock cable for comparison and there is no contest. The stock cable chokes off the sound big time versus the Equinox. Burn in time was about 125 hours.

Accord or Civic for good mpg and low maintenance. Accord has more power, Civic gets better gas mileage.

I can enjoy Sigur Ros late at night, its great music to go mind drifting. I have 700+ cds and its Sigur Ros my girlfriend talks about wanting to send to her friends/family.

That disc is great. What a steal at $1. Its like modern day disco. Phat and fun.

Another vote for Jaga Jazzist. Lars Horntveth has put out a solo album recently that is very good as well.

I am happy with my vintage Sansui receiver I picked up an ebay a couple of years ago for around $50. I use it to power Athena AS-F2s. These speakers are out of your price range, but they do have some bookshelves that are ok. BestBuy carries them. There are lots of vintage Sansuis to be had for...

Quote: All, What I am not understanding is all the accolades for Arcade Fire. I have heard so much positive I bought the CD and since I was travelling all week I used the immersion method and basically listened on my ipod every chance I had Well it's Friday and if I never heard it again...

Good idea, here is a start in no particular order, just what I have liked this year. : Lars Horntveth - Pooka Dosh - Pure Trash Isis - Panopticon Joseph Arthur -Our Shadows Will Remain Arcade Fire - Funeral Pinback - Summer in Abaddon The Futureheads Lali Puna - Faking the Books...

More votes to: Pinback Arcade Fire Futureheads Broken Social Scene Joseph Arthur Death From Above 1979