Some of the items that slipped by while we were all taking a nice afternoon nap Sunday:

Sherbourn has added an external HDMI switcher to their PT-7010A pre/pro. It disappoints me that separates makers like Sherbourn and Parasound, who make desirable equipment, are not getting with the program and offering features that a $300 av receiver provides. Nobody needs external HDMI switching. People need av receivers and pre/pros that handle HDMI switching internally and process both video and audio. I understand that HDMI has been a moving target in the past, however HDMI 1.3 has been with us for a while now, and it's time for the separates manufacturers to catch up to the mass market receiver producers.

Loudspeaker producer Martin Logan introduced two new fairly affordable hybrid electrostatic loudspeakers. The $2000/pair Source is a 2 way design that uses an 8 inch conventional woofer coupled with one of Martin Logan's electrostatic panels, and has a wedge shaped base that allows the user to tilt the entire speaker to facilitate dialing in the sweet spot. The $3000/pair Purity utilizes two 6.5 inch conventional woofers and has an onboard 200 watt digital amp, allowing it to be driven by a preamp, audio component or even an iPod.

Lastly, German loudspeaker manufacturer Canton showed a new line of speakers designated Chrono. The Chrono line utilizes the same drivers as Canton's Ergo loudspeakers, but has specially designed enclosures will bring the price of the Chronos down as much as 30% from the price points the Ergo line occupies. Canton also refreshed their flagship Vento line. Ports are now downward firing instead of forward. Drivers and crossover have also seen revisions meant to further refine the excellent Vento series.