Anyone with the space to accommodate more than five people knows that summer is a good time for a house party. But even with the best caterers and snazziest guests in the world, it will all mean nothing unless you have a stereo that screams, 'I've arrived'. That's where the McIntosh 2KW sound system comes in handy - and we're not talking about a tatty ghetto-blaster in the corner. The main MC2KW amplifier costs $530,000 and comprises six pieces - three each for the left and right sides. Of these, one controls the reading, while the other two balance the input and output of power. The amplifiers alone can't produce sound, however, which is where the $680,000 XRT 2K speakers come in. Then there's the pre-amplifier C1000C, which controls sound functions and which is needed to play the CDs. The C1000C costs $220,000, which brings the total price to a cool $1.43 million. This system has the power to perfectly recreate the sound produced by a full orchestra. What on earth will the neighbours say? Available from the Hi Fi Gallery, room 1703, New World Tower 1, 16 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2868 3600. See www.mcintoshlabs.com for more information.