Parasound has introduced its highly-anticipated 400-watt JC 1 monoblock power amplifier as the flagship amplifier for its new Halo line of premium audio components. With impressive current reserves, the amplifier delivers 800 Watts into 4 Ohms, and 1200 Watts into 2 Ohm loads. This extremely powerful component was developed by Parasound in collaboration with legendary designer John Curl’s CTC Builders, and represents the culmination of 13 years of Curl's ongoing evolution of Parasound power amplifier topologies. Formed in 1998, CTC Builders consists of John Curl handling electrical design, board and layout design by Carl Thompson, and Bob Crump's component selection and implementation. The trio has developed a number of products, including the CTC Blowtorch preamplifier and the CTC BBQ amplifier.

Conrad-johnson will celebrate its 25th year with the introduction of a very special limited edition component, the Grand Anniversary Triode Amplifier (GAT), along with two other entirely new power amplifiers. In order to mark 20 years in the industry, conrad-johnson delivered the ART Preamplifier in 1997. The ART quickly established itself as one of the most critically acclaimed audio products ever, and remains the standard of performance. In celebration of 25 years conrad-johnson is targeting a similar power amplifier design with another limited edition Anniversary product, the Grand Anniversary Triode Amplifier.