Las Vegas 2001

 

  Toshiba's prototype of a full audio and video unit that utilizes the DataPlay disc storage device. This small 0.5" thick and about 2" square device could be within our wireless future of audio and video entertainment.

 

Clarion's new car audio AutoPC unit called the Joyride will be available around April 2001. The Level One system includes the head unit, a basic 6.4" LCD monitor and wireless remote control ($2,999). The Level Two system (for an additional $1,099.99) adds the GPS system and a 6-disc changer. Level Three (for an additional $1,899.99) includes all in Level One plus GPS, a 6-disc changer and an additional 6.4" RGB LCD monitor. For you audio buffs, the Joyride will play MP3, WMA, CD, CDV, CD-R, DVD-Video (dts and Dolby Digital). While i had personally hoped for DVD-Audio or SACD, it seems the new joyride will not play any of the new high-resolution audio formats.

 

The VAC Auricle ($2,000) as first seem within our pre-show report appeared at the CES with a matching pre-amplifier. While the photo looks cool, it is more awesome in person with those retro looks and top analog old-school meter. A matching Auricle pre-amplifier ($2,000) is available as well. VAC also released a new Renaissance preamplifier ($7,000) that is based on their Signature pre-amplifier and is 100% "Class A" triode with no coupling caps. Balanced inputs/outputs are included as it a wireless remote control. 

 

Creek's new CD43 compact disc layer ($1,595, top) and 5350 SE wireless remote control integrated amplifier ($1,495). The CD43 uses the Philips laser transport mechanism and a delta-sigma DAC. Meanwhile the 5350 SE integrated amplifier is a 95 wpc stereo unit that includes six inputs including tape loop functions and a wireless remote control.

 

Audio Aero Capitole Transtrac stereo amplifier ($4,500) produce 40 wpc with a pair of EL34 pentode tubes and a transistor per channel.

 

Audio Aero's Prima CD player ($1,900, top) and Prima D/A converter ($3900) are full 24-bit/192kHz, yet the Prima CD player has a four times oversampling rate while the Prima D/A Converter has a built-in STARS exclusive 24-bit/192kHz re-sampler.

 

Coming in at the ultimate of audiophillia is the Loth-X C102 Silbatone battery power pre-amplifier ($30,000) that is completely silver wired, uses silver foil capacitors and more audio exotica than i dare mention here. An optional hand-wound silver step-up transformer for MC phono stage is also available. There are four inputs plus a phono stage stage (MM) standard. As seen above, the battery power supply (right) is completely separated from the analog section (left). Seen below is a topless look into the pre-amplifier's analog circuitry. Point to point wiring as some parts are mounted on custom Teflon boards (white).

 

 

Loth-X has a matching Sibatone 300 SEL 8 wpc monoblock amplifiers that are also completely battery powered ($60,000). Silver output transformers, custom made Jensen silver foil capacitors... The WE310 tube is used for the driver stage for the WE300B output tube.

 

Joe Roberts of Sound Practices fame

 

The new Martin-Logan Odyssey ($6,000/pr) stands 67" high and uses their usual electrostatic driver for the upper frequencies and a normal 8" and also 10" driver for low frequencies.

 

Magnum Dynalab's MB 102 ($$2,500) and MB 100 ($1,600) FM tuners as seen in our pre-show report. Stay tuned... get a Magnum Dynalab for your radio musical pleasures.

 

In the Burmester room was their new 007 surround processor (dts, Dolby Digital compatible, upgradeable to EX 6.1), their 001 24-bit/96kHz CD player, entry level Radio line of products and lastly their B99 Reference loudspeakers.

 

Legend Audio was taking great pride in showing their Starlet integrated amplifier ($2,950) as it received a rave review in the new issue of Ultimate Audio.

 

Air Tight's new 211 ($10,000) amplifier. More good stuff from the folks who brought us the ATM-1!

 

Acccuphase had their new CX-260 control center (top) and PX-600 power amplifier on display. The CX-260 is an unusually versatile pre-amplifier. Too much to mention here, though basically it can accommodate anything from normal 2-channel output to 6-channels pf output (yes, six channels of analog output). The matching PX-600 provides six channels of amplification with  80 watts for each channel. Various channel can be bridge for higher output into fewer audio channels as desired.

 

Looking tré sheik were the Phoenix Grand Speaker ($50,000) from Calix Technology. This 4-way, 5-driver design was a sight to behold.

 

Perpetual Technologies and Diva loudspeakers were showing their goodies at a local golf course. It was good to get away from the hustle and scurry of the CES to see their new P5A digital audio workstation. This 24-bit/192 kHz system uses the super fast 32-bit floating point SHARC DSP chip. This DAC enhances the incoming digital signal for higher resolution digital audio enjoyment. The P5A also has an analog input. This way the unit can be the control center (DAC and pre-amplifier) of your music reproduction system. The Diva by Swans loudspeakers were in full force with low-cost high performance units. i expect them to be making waves with many great reviews coming soon.

 

Avantgarde Acuostic's new Zero loudspeaker was first seen worldwide on our Hi-Fi News show report back in September 2000. Now in production form, it looked way cool and ready for action. This self-powered (150 watt) loudspeaker mates an 12" midrange/woofer with a 1" tweeter to achieve a frequency response of 30Hz to 20kHz. 

 

conrad-johnson had their new MV 60 ($2,795) all tube, EL34 based power amplifier. producing 60 watts per channel from a pair of EL34 output tubes.

 

conrad-johnson also had their new Premier 18LS solid-state pre-amplifier ($3,495)at the CES. This JFET line stage  is completely remote controllable and offers 100 "steps" of volume adjustment via a microprocessor-controlled stepped attenuator.

 

i would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you, from all of us here at Enjoy the Music.com, for reading our extensive CES/T.H.E. Show report. Until next year's show my friends...

Enjoy the music,

Steven R. Rochlin

 

 

Click here to see a complete listing of
specialty high-end audio show exhibitors.

 

Click here to see last year's show coverage.