CES 2017 Show Report From The Trenches
Friends, music, and tons of great gear in Las Vegas. CES 2017
Show Report By Dwayne Carter

  It was also fun to witness, many turntable and headphone/amplifier displays, drawing large crowds.

The Audio-Technica booth was elbow to elbow, as well.

Day two and three had us moving through the narrow halls of the Venetian. We have learned over the years, that it's best to start at the top floor, and work your way down using the stairs to move to the next lower floor. Unless you want to waste hours of your life at CES 2017, or any show for that matter, avoid the elevator banks. At the end of the day, search for the Express Elevator signs. The signage is small, as are the lines. Again, the feeling was fewer people, smaller, more scaled back displays. We viewed dozens and dozens of displays. Suffice it to say, high-end audio is alive and well. To keep this report brief, here are a few of my favorites.

Strong on the resurgence of vinyl, Technics had an awesome sounding and visually cool room. Their revived Reference Class and Grand Class products had us hanging around for several demos. Prices range from $ 1099 to $ 26,999.

Pro-Ject always has a fun booth, filled with unique turntable and accessories. This year, I was fond of the vertically displayed VT-E-BT ($ 499). Not sure about the sound quality, as no one was spinning wax on it…but mounted high on your wall, would really be a conversation piece.

You wouldn't be a true Star Wars fan, if you didn't pause at the Pro-Ject Essential III (~$350). When turned on, a dual hologram of the Millennium Falcon is displayed over the vinyl LP.

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Previous CES Show Reports
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, and 1996.