Up to 37% in savings when you subscribe to hi-fi+
hifi-logo-footer

Begin typing your search above and press return to search. Press Esc to cancel.

CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

The 29th floor of the Venetian Tower is one of the crucibles of high-end audio. It’s commonly considered the place for audiophile start-ups, the best spot for lower and mid-priced brands, the venue for cable and equipment support specialists, and all round audio ephemera suppliers, alongside some extremely well established names. At the Venetian, it seems the higher the floor, the higher the price tag, and although there are companies with lofty intent and big tickets throughout the ‘specialty audio’ section of CES, the 29th is one place where ‘value’ still reigns supreme.

Adcom

Adcom is staging a comeback and showcased a mock up of its MUSE wireless portable speaker designed by Jacob Jensen (ala B&O). This lifestyle product has a circular – near tear drop design, with a similarly shaped cut out towards the top, allowing the speaker to be hung from the ceiling with an aluminum string. This is one of the coolest “looking” lifestyle products I saw at the show. 

 The MUSE will be Wi-Fi, DLNA and Bluetooth capable and support Internet radio with the Spotify App. It will come with an Auxiliary input and a USB charging port that will also support USB playback. The estimated price is $499 with projected availability in May 2015.

Angel Sound

Angel Sound had four new loudspeakers on display. Their model names are yet to be determined, but they consisted of a 2 way bookshelf model ($5,000 – $8,000 a pair), a 2 way center channel ($5,000 – $7,000), and both 3 and 4 driver floor standers ($7,000 – $8,000 a pair). Projected availability is May 2015. They also displayed a stainless steel, horn loaded super tweeter prototype that can connect to their existing speakers, or other manufacturers speakers. The main system playing in the room featured the new version of their A6 loudspeaker using their in house developed tweeter and midrange, with a goal of having the woofer developed in as well house by May 2015). The A6’s were being driven by Angel Sound electronics with an Audio Research CD6 digital front end.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Antelope Audio

Antelope Audio was displaying its Rubicon Atomic AD/DA Preamplifier. The prototype version of this product  won a CES Innovation Award 2-3 years ago. The product is made to order ($40,000 with a 6 month lead time) featuring an integrated atomic clock, a built in phono stage that can digitize a vinyl collection (recording at 384 kHz). It also supports and up samples up to DSD 256. The product was displayed in a pro audio mastering quality setup with Amphion Two 18 loudspeakers, a MacBook Pro digital source, and 2 JL Audio subwoofers.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

 

ARCAM

ARCAM had the press launch of its new” Solo Bar” on November 2014 in London. It is now available ($1,500) and was being demonstrated at CES with its companion Solo Subwoofer ($800 – wired or wirelessly connected), an ARCAM UDP411 Universal Disk Player, and a 55-inch Vizio flat screen LED TV. The Solo Bar features (2) – 4 inch midrange/woofers 1per side, a 1-inch tweeter, HD audio decoding, and Bluetooth support (in/out).  Its input compliment consists of 4 HDMI, 1 Coaxial digital, and one 3.5mm Auxiliary. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

 The Solo Bar has attractive casework made from aluminum extrusion and sports damped steel speaker grills. I had the opportunity to touch the casing and the speaker grills and it felt like a serious, heavy-duty piece of gear. Listening to the Solo Bar/Subwoofer combination made me realize just how far this technology has come and how good a serious sound bar/subwoofer system can sound. 

 Hearing Mick Jagger, Bono and Fergie rock out to the Stones “Give Me Shelter” on the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Blue Ray disk was quite the “aural” treat on this system (and watching Mick Jagger trying to initiate his advances on Fergie was quite the “viewing” treat). 

 On static display was ARCAM’s “Solo Movie” all-in-one home theater in a box prototype. It will support Blu-ray, SACD, DVD, and CD format disks. Its input compliment will consist of 4 HDMI, Ethernet (wired), and Bluetooth (APTX 4.0). Additional features include DAB/DAB+ FM Tuners (for Europe, Canada, and Australia), and a 5-channel amplifier rated at 70 watts per channel (all channels driven). Projected availability is June 2015 with an estimated price of $3,000.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

ATC

After hearing how nice the ATC SCM 40 passive speaker sounded in the Prism room, I was excited to hear how the new ATC SCM 40A ($12,500, available Feb 2015) Active version of the speaker sounded like by comparison. Little did I know the folks in the ATC room had an A/B setup to demonstrate that very difference. The A/B demo was utterly revealing. The performance of the SCM 40A was so head and shoulders above the SCM 40 that it sounded like a different speaker. Everything got better – bigger sound, more detail, and more live. Keep in mind that the SCM 40 was being driven by an ATC P1 amplifier (with some expensive Cardas cables), which (according to the ATC representative) is exactly the same electronics that is built into the SCM 40A, which makes the findings in this A/B even more shocking.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

AURALiC  

After a busy few years in hardware design, AURALiC was primarily showing its updated ARIES Wireless Streaming Bridge. The ARIES completes AURALiC’s current core electronics strategy, and impressively the update is capable of streaming DSD256 wirelessly. Existing customers will get the software update automatically at the end of January. The price remains $1,599 for the Aries, and $999 for the Aries LE.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

BASIS

Of notable mention, Basis Audio had the beautifully sculpted Inspiration turntable and Superarm 9 tone arm ($15,000) on display.  I was able to spend some time speaking with A.J. Conti about Basis and have to say that I came away feeling  “inspired” myself. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

 

Bel Canto

Bel Canto featured its new REFStream product. This is UPnP and DLNA compatible networked audio renderer using asynchronous and ultra-low noise that it clocks that sits between the computer and DAC. The unit features S-PDIF, AES/EBU, and optical digital outputs.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Brigadiers Audio Group and Danville Signal Processing

Brigadiers Audio Group partnered with Danville Signal Processing to present its concept high-end computer audio system. The system featured a pair of 2 way, active, bi-amplified, coaxial, point source, time coherent, desktop loudspeakers (in handsome tall slender wood cabinets). Other components consisted of a USB audio class 2 DSP front-end, an iMac source, and a 4-channel class D amplifier. This concept seemed promising, as the sound was musical and surprisingly large from such a modestly sized system.

Cardas

Cardas introduced its new (1) Reflection interconnect and speaker cable that are Bi and Tri wire-able (the only one in the clear line that is). The price starts at $2,500 for a 2-meter pair of speaker cables and $1,150 for a 1-meter pair of interconnect cables (available now); (2) Clear Coaxial Digital cable ($600 for a 1 meter pair), and (3) The Parsec Power Chord ($350 for a 1 meter chord) which is the latest addition to the Parsec line.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Chord Electronics

Chord Electronics had two new products on display: 

 The Chordette 2 Qute standalone DAC is an upgrade to the Qute EX based on the technology in Chord’s Hugo portable DAC. The 2 Qute is not meant to be portable and has a galvanically isolated USB input. Projected availability is Q1 2015 with an estimated price of $1,795. 

The Hugo TT (Table Top) DAC/Headphone Amplifier is everything the Hugo is with double the output current and a galvanically isolated USB input. Projected availability is middle of Q1 2015 with an estimated price of $4,750.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Cyrus Audio

Cyrus Audio was sharing the room with Monitor Audio and demonstrating their new Stereo 200 hybrid, analogue, linear power supply amplifier – with a Cyrus designed Class D output stage ($3,500, available now – following the prototype shown at TAVES in Toronto in October/November 2014). Output power is 175 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 325 watts per channel into 4 ohms. The amplifier runs cold, and features a speaker impedance detection circuit (SID) that sends a proprietary test tone to the high frequency of the left channel to detect the impedance of the speaker. It then corrects the behavior of the frequency response above 10 kHz, designed to provide an open, smooth, controlled high frequency response irrespective of the loudspeaker impedance. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

I heard the amplifier in an all Cyrus system with the Monitor Audio Gold 300 loudspeakers, and the top end did have a smooth open quality to it. I just couldn’t tell how much the amplifier contributed to this quality, versus the rest of the system, which sounded nice overall.

Dan D’Agostino

Dan D’Agostino Mater Audio Systems had two new products. 

Cinema Standard Multi Channel Amplifier – This can be configured as a two channel stereo amplifier (250 watts per channel into 8 ohms), a two channel home theater amplifier with an RS-232 port to support control functions and problem reporting to a control unit (e.g., Crestron), and a three channel home theater amplifier. The two channel configurations can be bridged for mono operation (1kW into 8 ohms). Projected availability is February 2015 with price range of $12,000 – $15,900 depending on the configuration.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Next up, a prototype $48,000 M Life Integrated Amplifier and Streaming Network Player/DAC – This is a lifestyle product based on the $45,000 Momentum Integrated Amplifier with 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms (doubles down to 2 ohms) and a DAC supporting DSD 64. There is a wireless control App for the unit, but the unit itself requires a wired Ethernet network connection to access music. The system was being played through a pair of Wilson Duette II’s and Transparent Audio cables.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

 

Delux Acoustics

Delux Acoustics is a two year old company based in St. Petersburg, Russia – making their U.S. debut at CES. They displayed six speaker models ranging from the top of the line Sound Flower ($2,280 a pair including stands) to the entry level DAL 150 ($350 a pair with table stands). These are reminiscent of some of the Anthony Gallo spherically designed speakers with the addition of tweeters mounted topside of the spheres and some wide color choices.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Dared Audio

Dared Audio International show cased four new products: (1)The Saturn SET integrated amplifier ($3,000, available as of this show) featuring KT150 tubes, a built in USB DAC, and wireless remote. Power output is 25 watts per channel; (2) The LP-100 tubed MM/MC Phono Preamplifier ($1,900, available as of this show) featuring front panel adjustments for cartridge impedance, capacitance and output; (3) Originally shown as a prototype at RMAF 2014, the production version of the MARS Hybrid Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier ($550, available as of this show) features a tube preamplifier section, a TI based class A/B solid state amplifier module (25 watts per channel), built in wireless DAC, and Bluetooth capability with headphone and preamplifier outputs; and (4) The LP-1 tube MM/MC Phono Stage. This is the smaller sister to the LP-100 featuring front panel adjustments for impedance only.

EPOS

EPOS was playing their new K3 speaker ($2,395 for passive version, available end of January 2015), which is a larger version of the K2 and primarily designed for larger rooms providing more output. All K Series speakers are field interchangeable between passive and active versions by switching out the rear crossover back plate.  The active version has (3) – 150 watt Class D amplifiers (1 for each driver) per speaker. The price is 1,000 lbs (U.K.) per “Active K” amplifier plate. 

The Passive K3’s were being played with a Creek Evolution 50 CD/DAC/Preamplifier, a Creek Evolution 100A Class G Amplifier, Atlas cables and a Mac Mini source. Hearing Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” made me take notice of this systems performance, and made me wonder what the Active version of the speaker would sound like by comparison.

Focus Audio

Focus Audio showed had two prototype products playing the Master 3 BE speaker and Liszt Concerto Monoblock Amplifiers. 

The Master 3 BE is a 3 way, 6 driver, full range loudspeaker consisting of (2) – 9 inch woofers, (2) – 5 inch midrange drivers, and (2) – 1.5 inch Beryllium tweeters arranged in a D’Appolito configuration. Sensitivity is 90 dB and is projected to be available in the second half of 2015 with an estimated price of $33,000. 

The Liszt Concerto Monoblocks are 60 watts per channel Class A tube amplifiers using double C core output transformers. Projected availability is Q4 2015 with an estimated price of $30,000 a pair.

Hanson

Hanson Audio premiered the Dragon Legend E loudspeaker ($60,000, available February 2015). Model wise the speaker sits in the middle part of the Hanson line (not from a price perspective), and the “E” stands for enlightened due to the trickle down technology incorporated from the Emperor E. The speaker is designed to perform like an Emperor E in a normal size listening room, while having the footprint and loading characteristics (i.e., not overloading the room) of Hanson’s smaller model Prince E. In addition to its unique cabinet design, the speaker is wrapped in animal free luxury leather. Although I haven’t heard the Emperor E speakers myself, this speaker was making some good full range sound in its own right.  

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

HRT

HRT was streaming music from the Tidal music subscription service to show off its new Android and iPhone digital audio products. The dSp (Digital Sound Processing) is intended primarily for Android devices running the Lollipop Operation System, but will also work with computers using the a dedicated included) cable. The i-dSp is intended for Apple iDevices with lightning connectors. An Apple lightning camera connection cable is required, but not included. Target pricing for both products are $69.99 and are projected to be available on Amazon in February 2015. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

 I did an A/B/A comparison of the i-dSp device listening to Mark Knopfler’s 5:15am cut (on Shangri-La) off an iPad Mini and the improvement was not subtle.

Juno Audio

This company is only nine months old and came to CES with two unique products. The Viotone speaker (available Fall 2015) is one of the wildest looking speaker designs I have seen. The top section of the speaker is a real, wood, playable violin that has a ceramic transducer in it (somewhere) playing violin level frequencies. The price if the violin section ranges from $1,000 on up, depending on the age, wood and finish of the violin. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

The Bottom section of the speaker is a black rectangular box when the speaker is not in use, but fans out into a spider web like sides when the speaker is in use. This section of the speaker houses a 6.5 inch Neodymium mid/bass driver, plus a 1 inch titanium tweeter mounted in a cross brace that is suspended over the mid/bass driver. These 2 drivers fire vertically into an inverted pyramid shaped object that tapers into the top plate of the speaker cabinet and functions to disperse the sound in an omni directional pattern (similar to the B&O Acoustic Lens system or some of the German Physiks designs). One speaker can play in stereo due to custom DSP processing on board and 1,500 watts of built in amplification. The price of the bottom section is estimated at $6,500. 

The Envelop speaker is hexagonal shaped that can also play in stereo with 1,500 watts of built in amplification. It features (4) – 2.5 ” full range drivers (2 front and 2 rear facing), a 6.5 inch down firing subwoofer, and a 6.5 inch upward facing passive radiator. Projected availability is Summer 2015 with estimated pricing in the $800-$900 range.

In the short time I spent listening to this system, the one thing that struck me right off the bat was how  “clean” this system sounded.

 

McIntosh and Wadia

McIntosh introduced the D150 Digital Preamp ($3,000, available now) and MCT 450 SACD/CD Transport ($3,000, available Q1 2015). The Preamp plays all audio formats available on 5 inch discs and has a built in headphone amplifier. The MCT 450 is a transport only, with a digital outputs and a beefy metal draw.  

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Moreover, as McIntosh now builds and designs Wadia components in house, the following new Wadia components were being shown: di122 Digital Preamp/DAC/Headphone Amplifier ($1,500, available now) plus matching a102 Digital Amplifier (prototypes of both of these products were shown at CEDIA), and the prototype m330 Media Server and Streaming Network Players with 1 TB of internal storage (eternally expandable). Projected availability is Spring, with an estimated price of $6,000. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

 The Tidal music subscription service was being streamed to the Wadia system I was listening to being played back on a pair of McIntosh XR50 3 way bookshelf speakers. The sound was full bodied and warm for a smaller footprint system.

Metronome Technologies

Metronome introduced two new products. First was Le Player (€5,595, available now). This entry level CD Player/USB DAC features a top loading customized Phillips GF8 transport with the DAC section supporting PCM up to 24/384. It also uses a proprietary S/PDIF digital input that bizarrely is only compatible with Metronome DAC’s. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

C8+ DAC (€18,200, also available now) – This is an updated version of the C8 DAC that also plays DSD 64  through DSD 512 (Windows based), or DSD 256 (Mac based). It features a 64-bit word length for internal computations, and converts the digital signal bit stream into dual-mono outputs for a preamplifier or integrated amplifier. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

The C8+ plus was being played through Metronome electronics, the Focus Audio FP90 BE speakers and was making some really nice sound.

Monitor Audio

Monitor Audio had their 4th generation Gold Series loudspeakers on display (8 are in the line, 4 were actually shown). The top of the line Gold 300 floors standing speakers ($6,500 a pair) was being demonstrated along with the Gold 100 Book Shelf speakers ($2,400 a pair). The entry-level model starts at $1,800 a pair. Projected availability for the Gold Series is February 2015.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

MSB

MSB was showing off its new Diamond DAC 5 which is an upgrade to the Diamond DAC 4 and incorporates technology from the top of the line Select DAC. The new Universal Media Transport 5 was also on hand. It incorporates technology from the Universal Media Transport Plus in a redesigned chassis to match look of the DAC 5. Pricing is $43,000 for the DAC 5 (depending on options) and $6,995 for the Transport 5. Both units are available now. 

MSB also displayed its prototype “Diamond Data Memory Transport” audio media server which corrects CD ripping errors due to scratches or defects guaranteeing bit perfect ripping. Projected availability is in 3-6 months with an estimated price of $29,000. 

Also taking place in the MSB room was ReQuest Audio’s launch of “The Beast” audio server (and controller for ReQuest video systems) for the U.S and Canadian markets (previously available in Europe only). The product features extensive cataloguing and querying functions for music, with an emphasis on classical music performance variations. The price is $39,500 and is available now. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

 

Music Hall

As Roy Hall is always great at taking the pulse of the value-driven buyer, Music Hall was showing off its new de-be dynamic driver headphones ($199, available Feb 2015). They have replaceable ear pads, a mic to answer calls that can stop/start the music, and a headphone input for a friend to plug their headphones into so that both of you can rock out to the music (what a cool concept!).

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Musical Surroundings

Musical Surroundings had a host of new product introductions in two side-by-side rooms. In the Clearaudio Room there were static displays of (1) the Statement v2 turntable ($200,000), which updates Clearaudio’s flagship turntable introduced 10 years ago, (2) the Double Matrix Professional S (Sonic) record cleaning machine ($5,500), using sonic vibration to better clean record groves in this 4rth generation product, and (3) the Absolute Phone Inside MC Phono Stage ($15,000), which consists of 2 identical chassis (milled from aluminum billet) – one for the audio stage and one for the power supply. 

The second room featured a system with a METIS line stage (estimated price is $25,000 – prototype shown in Munich in May 2014), a Romulus DAC/CD Player, a GIRO turntable with 9W2 tonerarm ($10,000), a TEATRO MC phono cartridge ($2,750), a Phonomena II+ phono preamplifier ($750), and the DS-W1 “Nightrider” Optical phono cartridge ($8,500). The system was playing music through a pair of Magico S5’s. 

NuPrime and Celsus Sound  

Sharing a room with Enigma Acoustics was the founder of NuForce who has several new companies, two of which were showcasing products at CES – NuPrime (the old NuForce) and Celsus Sound.

 The Enigma Acoustics Mythology M1 Full Range Monitor Speaker (which includes the Enigma Acoustics Super tweeter) was being played in this room ($14,690), with NuPrime’s new St-10 Amplifier ($1,595) and DAC-10 Preamp/DAC ($1,495, the DAC 10H includes a headphone amplifier at $1,795). Projected availability for both products is the end of February 2015.  

The rest of the system consisted of a Moon CD Player, Mac Mini, and Cardas Clear cables. The sound of this system was airy, spacious and dynamic.

Celsus Sound premiered its super cool Companion One ($595, available on Amazon) portable, high-resolution audio companion. This thing is about the size of a beefed up iPhone and is chock full of goodies such as a high performance headphone amp, a DAC that supports DSD128 and 384 kHz PCM formats, and a built in Wi-Fi network that supports UPnP and Apple Airplay – allowing it to be used as a streaming network renderer that supports PCM 24/192 wireless streaming. The product supports Windows, MAC, Android (*OTG), and iOS devices. No detail was overlooked as the product comes with a film for its glass face, a cleaning cloth, and a leather carrying case. 

Rounding out the Celsus Sound product introduction was the new Gramo One Earbuds ($249, available on Amazon). This is a reference-grade (the Sennheiser HD 800 was the performance benchmark used to design these headphones), open-back in ear headphone with the portability of an IEM. The combination of the Companion One played through the Gramo One Earbuds sounded very musical, with a the performance you would expect to hear from a much more expensive setup.

Ocean Way Audio

Ocean Way Audio was making good sound with its new Sausalito loudspeaker ($35,000, available now – prototype shown in Tokyo in October 2014). This 3 way, bi-wireable, passive design sports a 12-inch woofer, 8-inch midrange driver, and a 1-inch silk dome tweeter. The speaker’s sensitivity is 85 dB.

This is a scaled down product compared to Ocean Way’s large horn loaded models, with more sculpting and aesthetics that should be more appealing and accepted in home environments. The speaker has many hallmarks characteristics of Ocean Way’s larger designs (which I have heard multiple times over the years at CES) in scaled down performance envelope. They have a wide dispersion pattern that provides a stable image across a large listening area, a big soundstage, a wide sweet spot, and good dynamics (but not the in your face or punch you in your chest/gut dynamics of the big Ocean Way’s, that can literally make you jump out of your chair).

Prism Sound

UK based Prism Sound has its roots in pro audio and introduced a new prototype Hi-Fi DAC for home audio use. This is a USB DAC (supporting up to 24/192) and Headphone Amplifier that has balanced outputs, and S-PDIF input/output in optical and copper formats.  The electronics used for this product is exactly the same as in their professional Lyra product.  The design objective for both products are the same – to provide a listening experience that the original producer wanted to hear, based on Prism Sound’s experience in developing professional recording equipment for the last 28 years. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

I got to this room towards the end of the day and was treated to more leisurely listening session. Using both Windows and MacBook laptops as sources playing through an ATC P2 amplifier and ATC SCM 40 loudspeakers, I was quite enamored with how natural the system sounded and the ease of listening that it provided.

Questyle

Questyle was showing its QP1 Prototype Portable Music Player, using Questyle’s current mode amplification found in their existing products. The player supports native DSD 64, DSD 128, and native PCM up to 24/192. It has 8 GB of internal storage and can accommodate (2) – 128 GB MicroSD cards. Some key features of the product include use of a Class A amplifier, discrete circuits, an analogue volume control, a full power supply, plus a projected 10-hour battery life. Estimated price is $600 with projected availability in March 2015.  

REL

REL was showing off its new 212 SE Subwoofer ($4,000, available March 2015). The subwoofer features two stacked 12 inch S5 drivers, a down firing 12 inch carbon fiber passive radiator, a rear firing 12 inch aluminum passive radiator, and a built in 1,000 watt amplifier (conservatively rated).  

The product was developed as a more cost effective alternative to stacking Gibraltar series subwoofers while applying the lessons learned in doing so. The subwoofer performs double duty by (1) augmenting the low end of left/right stereo speakers in a 2.1 setup, and (2) functions as the LFE channel in multi channel audio/home theater applications while simultaneously augmenting the left/right speakers in those applications. 

I was given an A/B demonstration on the effects of a pair of 212 SE subwoofers had on a stereo system consisting of pair of ELAC Referenz loud speakers, Aesthetix/Hegel electronics and Audioquest cables. The subwoofers were connected through a pair of REL’s Longbow zero compression wireless scheme transmission devices. When subs were inserted into the system I was amazed at what I heard. Spaciousness, dimensionality and ambience increased significantly even on music that didn’t have any low end (which was even more of a surprise). The effect was not subtle and clearly audible. 

A sneak preview of the new Ti line of subwoofers (upgrade to the Series T) was also on display. Estimated pricing ranges from $600-$1,200 with projected availability in June 2015. 

 

Scaena

Scaena showcased the world premier of its Manhattan loudspeaker ($32,000, available as this show). This is the company’s first one piece integrated tower/subwoofer system at half the price of their previous Scaena speakers. The objective was to incorporate the company’s latest thinking and use of technology into a lower cost speaker that out performs its previous offerings. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

The speaker features striking metal work with a contemporary industrial design and sports (5) – Alize Raven ribbon tweeters, (9) – 4 “midrange drivers, and (1) -12 inch subwoofer per speaker. The subs were driven by a pair of Crown XLS 2500 pro amplifiers ($500 each) with the top half of the speakers being driven by a pair of Graaff GM400 mono block amplifiers ($25,000 each). The source was Scaena’s own “Mainframe” music server.

Sonawall

Sonawall demonstrated its new Sona Studio 2.1 ($995, available February 2015). This is a 2.1 channel audio system designed to accommodate multiple home electronic devices (TV’s, computers, iDevices, mp3 players, wireless Bluetooth from smartphones, etc.). The system consists of a subwoofer and 2 “pod” satellite speakers that can be wall or stand mounted. The subwoofer contains the amplification for the system (100 watts to the sub and 50 watts to the pods). The “pods” are designed with the drivers mounted in an angular fashion providing good stable imaging just about anywhere in the room (in front of the pods). 

Sonowall has larger subs with spatial tweeters added to the pods producing an even more spacious presentation ($1,499 – $2,499). An interesting and rather unique option provided in this line is the ability to choose from 4 different flavors of user changeable spatial tweeters (cloth, silk, aluminum and titanium dome tweeters). 

The sound was indeed spacious and stable across the various pod models that I heard in the room.

SOtM

SOtM introduced four new products. 

The SMS 1000 SQ Music Server and Player (prototype) comes with a 32GB SSD for operating the unit. SOtM recommends using external NAS drives for storing music, but the product can be configured with SSD, HDD, ODD, or a Blu-ray disk drive. It has USB, Optical, AES/EBU and Coaxial digital outputs as well as balanced and single ended analogue outputs. Projected availability is late Q1 2015 with an estimated price of $3,000. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Next up is the sPA-1000 Stereo Amplifier (prototype) outputs 200 watts per channel (Class D) into 8 ohms. Projected availability is TBD. Estimated price is $5,000. This was followed by the iSO-CAT6 (prototype) Ethernet LAN noise elimination cable ($300-$400, available Feb 2015). Finally, SOtM showed its dCBL CAT6 high performance Ethernet LAN cable ($200 per meter for up to 20 meters). An optional high quality LAN connector version of the cable is also available ($350 per meter for up to 20 meters). 

These products were played through an all-SOtM electronics system, comprising DAC/Preamplifier, system level power supply, cables, Egglestonworks speakers, and TAKT room tuning accessories. Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons sounded very nice on this system.

Soulution

Originally introduced in May 2014 at the Munich Show as a pre-production model, the production version of the Soulution 560 D/A Converter was introduced at CES ($35,000, available as of this show). It has a compliment of Optical, S-PDIF, and AES/EBU digital inputs supporting up to 24/192, a USB input supporting 24/192 and DSD 64, and an Ethernet connection for DSD 128. It will also support DXD in the future.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Steinway Lyngdorf (aka SL Audio)

Steinway Lyngdorf (aka SL Audio) displayed its new SDA 2400 Stereo Amplifier ($2,400, available April 2014). This is a 2 channel, green (meaning it does not need cooling – the amplifier runs cold), digital amplifier that outputs 400 watts per channel into 4 ohms. The “cool” feature about this amplifier is that it has optical and coaxial digital inputs in addition to single ended and balanced analogue inputs. This gives the end user versatility in assembling a compact stereo system with the SDA 2400 “cold” running powerful amplifier at its core, adding a source with a digital output and volume control, and a pair of loudspeakers. I didn’t get to hear this little powerhouse, but the idea sure “sounded cool” to me!

 

Stymax (oBravo)

Stymax was showing the new oBravo HRIB line of headphones that use hybrid planar magnetic/dynamic drivers. The three models in the line are the HRIB 1 ($1,700), HRIB 2 ($1,200), and HRIB 3 ($700). Stymax also introduced two new models to its HAMT (hybrid Heil tweeter/dynamic driver) line of headphones – the HAMT 2 ($1,400) and the HAMT 3 ($900).

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

I had the opportunity to listen to both lines, which sounded very nice, but very different. The HAMT headphones had an airier, spacious, warmer sound, while the HRIB had a more neutral, direct sound. These will certainly appeal to people with different tastes, which is why Stymex offers both lines. 

Technics

After a long hiatus, Technics is re-entering the U.S. market making its debut at CES. On display were a small and large system. The small system was playing when I got to the room and was making some nice sound. The system consisted of a pair of 2-way stand mounted speakers with a 9mm aluminum tweeter and 16cm midrange woofer (arranged as concentric drivers). The rest of the system was comprised of a CD player (no external DAC inputs), Network Player (wired – not wireless), and integrated amplifier. The system sounded quite musical with a natural, smooth character and good imaging.  

The large system consisted of a pair of 3.5 way floor standing speakers, a stereo amplifier rated at 150 watts into 8 ohms (with large illuminated power meters on the front panel), and a Network Audio Control Player with some unique and interesting design features. The amplifier has 2 analogue inputs (going through A/D conversion), 1 USB A, 1 USB B, and 3 coaxial digital inputs. The Network Player provides the control functions for the amplifier through a digital link. For example, the Network Player volume control communicates with the amplifier over the digital link. The amplifier then attenuates the level using a full “bit width” proprietary technology to maintain the integrity of the signal up until the output section. 

This is not the Technics of the past and may well be a force to be reckoned with in the high end. I found the aesthetic design of the electronics attractive and the sound of the small system engaging. 

Estimated pricing is $5,500 for the small two-way system and $5,500 for the larger three-way system, with projected availability in spring 2015. 

Tidal Trend

Tidal recently introduced its music streaming subscription service to the United States, and a lot of exhibitors (Electrocompaniet, McIntosh, Wadia, and HRT to name a few) were using it to show off their products. The high-end streaming service was so popular, Wi-Fi at the Venetian Tower effectively ground to a halt.

Tivoli Audio

Tivoli’s new Music System Three ($299) was released just before CES and gives new meaning to the word “Boom Box”. This is a one-piece portable, moisture resistant (think bathroom or beach), portable stereo system with a 20 hour battery life (using rechargeable lithium batteries). It features AM/FM radio, Bluetooth streaming (adjustable from 15-30 feet), tone controls, a clock (that auto sets the time based on RDS information from FM radio stations), a headphone output and auxiliary input. It is lightweight and easy to hold with a handle in the back that also houses the remote (cool feature!). This is a very well thought out portable stereo system product should appeal to the younger crowd who wants a cool portable system for not a lot of money.

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Unison Research

Unison Research featured its new MAX speakers at $6,495 a pair featuring titanium tweeters with a horn loaded compression driver design, 12 inch carbon fiber coated woofers with vegetable pulp (salad anyone?), 94 dB sensitivity, and an 8 ohm impedance. The rest of the system was comprised of Unison Research’s Triode 25 integrated amplifier/DAC and Unico CDE CD player. The sound was inviting with high frequency dynamics one would expect of a horn loaded top end.

Usher Audio

Usher Audio showed its updated X-Tower-L loudspeaker ($13,000, available now), with a trapezoidal subwoofer enclosure for decreased low frequency distortion, a diamond tweeter and Eaton woofer. 

 

Vandersteen

Vandersteen Audio was showing their production available (soft launch was in October 2014 at RMAF) Model Seven Mk II loudspeaker ($62,000/pair). The speakers have a powered subwoofer, and the top half of the speakers were being driven by Vandersteen’s liquid cooled High Pass mono block amplifiers ($52,000/pair).  The amplifiers are rated at 600 watts into 4 ohms and production is scheduled to start after CES. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Analogue was the only source in this room. Records were being spun on Brinkman’s new Spyder turntable  (now in full production – soft launch was in October 2014 at RMAF) with two Brinkman 10.5 inch tone arms (the table can accommodate up to 4 tone arms) and an optional vacuum tube power supply.  Pricing for a single arm Spyder is $14,000. Additional tone arm bases are $3,000 for standard size tone arms, and $3,400 for 12 inch tone arms.  

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Electronics were all Audio Research with the components being housed on HRS’s new SXR Signature equipment rack ($32,550 as shown). 

Vincent Audio

Vincent Audio featured three new products at the show with projected availability in March 2015: (1) The SV-700 Integrated Hybrid Amplifier ($4,200) with a tube preamplifier section and solid-state amplifier. The preamp section supports optical and coaxial digital inputs up to 24/192 and the amplifier section is 50 watts per channel Class A (which can be switched off); (2) The SAT 7 Tube Preamplifier ($2,100); and (3) The new top of the line SPT 700 Monoblock Amplifiers ($5,000 per pair).

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Wireworld

Wireworld introduced its new Nano series cables for headphones and portable audio that uses the same technology as incorporated in its Platinum Eclipse line. Pricing ranges from $40 – $500 for a 1.5-meter pair. 

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Zellaton, CH Precision, Sperling, FUUGO, Schnezinger

Zellaton debuted its new Stage loudspeaker ($79,500, available now) with a semi open rear baffle design. It is a three-driver system with a 9 inch woofer, 7 inch midrange driver (with no crossover), and a full cone sandwich membrane tweeter. All drivers are hand made and represents the evolution of its 1932 patented design.  

, CES: Highlights from the Venetian Floor 29 – The Full Works!

Complementing the speakers was a very fine, if extremely high-end system indeed; CH Precision M1 Monoblock Amplifiers ($94,750 a pair) – featuring high bandwidth capacity and 700 watts per channel into 8 ohms (doubling down all the way to 1 ohm). This was fed by CH Precision L1 Preamplifier ($32,975) with the optional X1 power supply ($14,975), driven by a Sperling L-3 Turntable ($19,945) and dual magnetic bearing Tonearm ($9,950), FUUGA MC Cartridge ($8,950, Miyabe Reborn), and a  Thoress Phono Enhancer ($12,475, tube design phono stage) with adjustable RIAA curves, and finally Schnezinger Comprehensive Cabling System (price TBD) from Germany – featuring customized cables and power chords/conditioners tailored for individual stereo systems.

A system costing more than a quarter of a million dollars…what a frisky way to end a report!

Tags: FEATURED

Adblocker Detected

"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..."

"There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."