CES 2015 Preview Report -- Part 3

  D'Agostino LLC will be launching their MLife integrated amplifier ($48,000) with built-in streaming, AirPlay, Bluetooth and Tidal at CES 2015 (Venetian suite 29-224). They will also be showing their new Cinema Standard ($12,000), which is a new multi-channel amplifier designed for use in home theaters and stereo systems. MLife uses the same preamplifier and amplifier circuits as the company's Momentum integrated amplifier, but replaces the tone controls with a 5" color LCD display. This display and an accompanying iOS and Android app allow consumers to stream music losslessly through Apple AirPlay; browse thousands of online radio stations through built-in vTuner Internet radio capability; access Tidal high-fidelity music streaming; and connect to smartphones, tablets and computers wireless through Airplay and aptX Bluetooth 4.0. The network capability allows access to a practically unlimited amount of music and other audio content. Apple AirPlay MLife can access any music and Internet radio programs available through iTunes, and control the streaming through iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads, and through Mac and Windows computers running iTunes. UPnP capability is for those who wish to stream directly from networked servers and computers while the USB input provides even more flexibility. The 5" LCD screen shows album/artist/genre/song title information, making it easy to find the music you want in seconds. USB, TosLink optical and S/PDIF coaxial digital inputs handle 24-bit/192-kHz digital audio files. There is an XLR analog input as well. Supported file formats include DSD, WAV, FLAC ,PCM, AAC, AIFF, MP3, Ogg Vorbis and WMA. The MLife amplifier section delivers 200 Watts per channel @ 8 Ohms, 400 Watts @ 4 Ohms, and 800 Watts @ 2 Ohms. For maximum audio performance, the power supply resides in its own separate machined aluminum enclosure. All analog audio circuit boards are built using through-hole construction to ensure reliable operation.

D'Agostino LLC's Cinema Standard is a new multi-channel amplifier designed for use in home theaters and stereo systems. Available in two- and three-channel versions, the Cinema Standard delivers the performance and sound quality of their Momentum amplifiers in a rack-mountable chassis. Each channel of the Cinema Standard delivers 250 Watts @ 8 Ohms, doubling to 500 Watts @ 4 Ohms and again to 1000 Watts @ 2 Ohms. These power ratings are taken at 0.1% total harmonic distortion. The Cinema Standard is built into a 6U chassis with front and rear rack-mounting brackets. Through the use of large heat sinks and carefully designed airflow paths, the Cinema Standard runs cool and reliably without the need for cooling fans. Built-in, switchable high-pass and low-pass filters allow the Cinema Standard to be optimized for use with powered or passive subwoofers. The filters are preset to 80Hz at -18dB/octave, so they can be used to filter the bass out of a system's main speakers, or to filter midrange and high frequencies out of a subwoofer. XLR inputs are provided for each channel, and a single input can be bussed to feed one, two or three amplifier channels. An RS-232 interface allows external control of the amplifier, and also provides a continuous report of the amplifier's status. Through a home automation system or a direct computer connection, it can alert the owner or dealer to such conditions as overheating or overload (short circuit). A remote trigger jack also allows on/off triggering from surround processors and home automation systems with remote trigger outputs.

 

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (Mo-Fi) will be debuting their new GAIN HD with 4X DSD digital mastering technology at CES 2015 (Venetian suite 29-120). The GAIN HD mastering process utilizes 4X DSD direct-to-1X DSD conversion for the high-resolution SACD layer and 4X DSD direct-to-CD conversion for the CD layer. This newly implemented mastering chain achieves a higher level of musical accuracy, resolution and fidelity from MFSL's ULTRADISC UHR Hybrid SACD series. According to the press release, "The GAIN HD 4X DSD process delivers a subtle but significant improvement in low-level detail, ambient information and 'air', and perhaps most importantly, a relaxed ease in the musical presentation that simply sounds less 'reproduced' and more natural and involving." The company will also have major news for all of you vinyl aficionados.

 

Audioarts will be at CES 2015 (Venetian suite 29-226) has just let us in on the new Fuuga MC phono cartridge ($8950) that is said to be the fabled Miyabi reborn. Shortly after the Miyabi MC phono cartridge designer Haruo Takeda, retired, a good friend of Takeda and Miyabi distributor in Japan joined forces with Osamu Nagao. Osamu Nagao and Tetsuya Sukehiro, a young cartridge designer with over 10 years of OEM carrier for several well-known brands, started a project to create a cartridge to revive the Miyabi sound. After three years of painstaking research and development they finally came up with a breakthrough! Shortly before the summer of 2014 the Fuuga was born. Miyabi (雅) means 'elegance' in Japanese and to honor the legacy of the Miyabi, they named their new MC phono cartridge the Fuuga (風雅), which means 'elegance with flair'. Fuuga not only incorporate some unique design features Sukehiro found in Miyabi cartridges, it also inherit a very unique musicality. The manufacturer says it will redefine the boundary of LP reproduction. Output is 0.35mVrms and impedance is 2.5 Ohms @ 1kHz. Channel separation is >27dB while the Fuuga has a compliance of 7x10 -6. The cantilever is made with a special A2017 aluminum alloy whilst the needle/stylus is a parabolic hybrid measuring 8μm x 40μm pure diamond. The Fuuga MC phono cartridge weighs 15 grams and has a recommended tracking force of 2 to 2.2 grams. Audioarts will also have Zellaton, CH Precision Power/Pre/Digital, Thöress, Sperling Analog, and Schnerzinger Cabling. Their CES 2015 system will include premiers of the new Zellaton Stage loudspeakers, CH Precision L1 analog preamplifier, CH Precision M1 monaural amplifiers, Sperling L-3 turntable, Thöress For Audioarts Phono Enhancer, Fuuga MC phono cartridge and Schnerzinger cabling.

 

Dared will be at the CES 2015 (Venetian suite 29-128) showcasing their new Mars hybrid vacuum tube amplifier, Saturn Signature integrated amplifier, and LP-100 MM/MC phono preamplifier ($499, $2999 and $1500 respectively). The MARS is an audio product designed for a new generation that employs a hybrid amplifier design consisting of a 6N3 (5670) tube for its preamplifier stage and solid-state for main amplification. This hybrid Class AB amplifier uses a solid-state TI linear 25 Watt per channel module to provide a very affordable product. A bridge-tied load (BTL) transformerless output design provides exceptional impedance bridging even at a very low load of 2 Ohms. Designed for a new generation of audiophile, wireless streaming from one's smartphone, tablet, or other wireless device is by way of its built in high resolution 2.4GHz wireless audio module or connection to a PC or laptop using the Dared Mars' USB DAC connection. With an included preamplifier output, Mars can provide wireless or computer connectivity to any legacy audio system. The headphone output further enhances the flexibility of the Mars hybrid integrated amplifier. Dared's Saturn Signature integrated vacuum tube amplifier benefits from the use of a pair of KT-150 in the output stage. Operating in single-ended triode, the simplicity and minimalist approach of the circuit design is said to aid in bringing a purity of sound. The Dared Saturn Signature stereo integrated amplifier produces 70 Watts per channel. The KT-150 tube is considered as the most powerful octal beam tetrode ever produced; with a beautiful visual and unique design via its egg-shaped glass casing. Since the glass envelope has no flat sides, this is said to result in virtually no issues with unwanted microphonics. :Lastly, Dared's LP-100 phonostage provides flexibility to match virtually any phono cartridge. Both MM and MC cartridges are supported via a fully user adjustable via front panel operation for capacitance, impedance and gain of the input. A subsonic filter is also standard.

 

AVID HiFi turntables and components will be at CES 2015 (Venetian suite 29-120 and 29-122) playing in the Wharfedale / Mobile Fidelity Sound suite and with Balanced Audio Technology. AVID turntables combine precision engineering with striking industrial design and deliver a high quality vinyl playback experience. Their Ingenium ($1999 with tonearm, pictured) will be playing in the Wharfedale / Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab. This is AVID's entry model and offers numerous high-performance features including a unique bearing system, carbon fiber tonearm, sophisticated vibration isolation techniques and materials. The company's Diva II SP, Sequel SP and Acutus Reference SP turntables will be demonstrating the AVID Good-Better-Best display philosophy in the Balanced Audio Technology suite at CES 2015. The three turntables offer levels of engineering refinement, materials selection and precision manufacturing. From the machined aluminum platter, Digital Signal speed control and twin belt drive system of the Diva II SP ($4495) to the entirely purpose-designed suspension system, bearing and mechanics of the Sequel II SP ($9995) to the company's ultimate-performance outboard 1kVA power supply, sapphire-jewel bearing and massive 22 lb. platter of the Acutus Reference SP ($26,995), AVID hi-fi turntables have a variety of performance choices for vinyl playback enthusiasts.

 

SOtM will exhibit their Ultimate products in a complete line up (Venetian suite 29-227) and demonstrate a newly announced audiophile sMS-1000 SQ music server / player (pictured). Also appearing within their room will be the sMS-1000 SQ and sPA-1000 power amplifier (all prices TBA). The sMS-1000 SQ is available with high quality USB output as well as digital or analog output, supports up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD playback. It also has DLNA for network use and has a full DLNA renderer. SOtM's first power amplifier, the sPA-1000, is a fully balanced Class D amplifier and has balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog inputs. As an ultra-low noise linear power supply, the sPS-1000 will be used for both sMS-1000 SQ, high quality USB output and for their sDP-1000 Ex.

 

CES 2015 will mark the North American premiere of GamuT's RS7 loudspeaker (Venetian suite 31-324). Larsen plus Pear Audio will also be sharing the same suite as two different GamuT systems with two different Pear Audio Blue turntables make the presence in Las Vegas. GamuT's new RS7 loudspeaker features a unique curved enclosure with 21 individual layers of real-wood with minimal dampening. GamuT will also unveil their new leather-wrapped Reference speaker cable and Signature power cables. GamuT's preamplifier dual-mono D3i and M250i monoblocks will also at CES 2015. Larsen Ortho-Acoustic speakers are hand-crafted in Sweden by John Larsen. Larsen speakers are designed and optimized to be placed against the wall. Pear Audio Blue turntables and tonearms, with the new Reference two-box phonostage making its appearance, will be at CES 2015. Pear Audio Blue turntables and tonearms are the last designs by legendary turntable designer Tom Fletcher of Nottingham Analogue.

 

---> CES 2105 Preview Part 4.