During a lull in the award presentations, John Atkinson and I were visited by Bent Holter, technical director of Norway's Hegel Music Systems. The company, founded in 1990, has just gained US distribution through VMAX Services. I caught up with Bent after the awards.

Here you see Bent offering his 120Wpc entry-level H1 integrated amplifier ($2595). I appreciate the simple, clean design. I also appreciate Bent's excellent smile.