CES 2012 Preview & T.H.E. Show Report 2012
   
Consumer Electronics Show & T.H.E. Show 2012

Ultralink/XLO Products, an innovative and prolific manufacturer of award-winning audio and video interconnects, cables, power products and accessories, is excited to introduce a new cable line called UltraPLUS. UltraPLUS cables are slated to be at dealers in March 2012 and will replace the original and popular Ultra Series. Rather than 6N laboratory-grade copper, UltraPlus is composed of single-filament, solid-core PC-OCC (Pure Copper Ohno Continuous Cast) wire with an attractive black and purple jacket. XLO significantly improved the already low self-inductance of the hand-terminated 24k direct gold-plated RCA or proprietary XLR connectors. UltraPLUS cables include unbalanced RCA and XLR balanced interconnects, loudspeaker cables, a phono cable (available late Q1 2012), coaxial digital S/PDIF and XLR AES/EBU digital.

 

Simaudio Ltd. invites attendees at CES 2012 to Venetian Towers suite 30-136 to experience their many new products. The MOON MiND Music Streamer is a feature-filled, highly configurable wireless music streamer, compatible with MOON products (current as well as legacy models) and offerings from competing brands. Includes both Apple and Android compatible control software. Sinaudio's MOON 810LP phono preamplifier is the long-awaited Evolution series phono preamp that features a plethora of choices for gain, as well as impedance and capacitance loading. The excessively quiet and ultra transparent audio circuit is mounted on a five-point derivative of our floating M-Octave damping system. The new MOON 380D DAC (pictured above) features eight digital inputs (AES/EBU vis XLR, TosLink optical, S/PDIF via RCA and USB) in conjunction with fully asynchronous 32-bit processing. This DAC handles signals up to and including 24-bit/192kHz across all inputs. An optional volume circuit is available for those preferring to bypass a preamplifier. All three new models will be on active display along with the acclaimed 32-bit 650D DAC and 700i Integrated.

 

WADAX of Spain, a specialist in advanced digital audio electronics and maker of the PRE 1 universal digital preamp/phono, announced their reference loudspeaker’s debut during the CES will take place in the Venetian, 30th floor room 232. The La Pasión ($106,500) is a three way, self powered digital loudspeaker. Only a source is required to complete the system. Each driver is independently powered and DACs inside each La Pasión loudspeaker have a specifically designed current output stage to directly drive the tweeter with no degradation of the DAC performance. Individual 400-watt Wadax digital amplifiers drive the midrange and woofer modules. Additionally, binding posts are provided to externally amplify the midrange drivers if desired. All of the electronics including amplification and digital to analogue processing are contained in the mechanically isolated aluminum module at the bottom of the loudspeaker. The La Pasión also incorporates an analog input for use with any preamplifier.

 

Samsung Electronics will debuted a new line of audio dock systems that features vacuum tube technology plus breakthrough innovation for rich sound qualities comparable to premium audio systems. Samsung's DA-E750 audio dock with vacuum tube amplifier is the world's first docking system that incorporates Samsung's proprietary hybrid vacuum tube amplifier technology and supports a broad range of Galaxy S and Apple devices via both docked and wireless connectivity. Previously only available in premium audio products, vacuum tubes amplifiers have been praised by audiophiles for producing more natural sounds. Digital amplifiers deliver clear sound output, are more energy efficient and can fit into a smaller form factor. Samsung feels they have combined the best of both vacuum tube and Class D amplification. The audio dock, which boasts a 2.1-channel speaker and powerful built-in subwoofer with 100 watts of sound, also offers analog (composite) input and a USB port to play audio files directly from a thumb drive, music player or portable hard drive. MP3, WMA and WAV file formats are supported. In addition, the DA-E750 supports wireless audio file playback through AllShare for Samsung Galaxy devices and Airplay for Apple devices, or via Bluetooth enabled devices for the ultimate in flexibility and convenience. When in operation, the vacuum tube inside the dock emits a warm, soft glow that accentuates the sleek, high gloss wood finish wood and adds a touch of luxury to the system. All of Samsung's new audio docks will be on display at Samsung's booth 12004 in the Central Hall at the 2012 CES.

 

Audio Design Associates (ADA), the recognized brand of excellence in high-end home cinema and custom installed electronics, announced that they will be unveiling their Cinema Reference Mach IV at the Venetian Towers suite 30-311 during the International CES. The original Cinema Reference was introduced in 1996 and for nearly half a decade ruled the home cinema industry as the most advanced preamplifier of its day. The Cinema Reference Mach IV marks the fourth generation in fifteen years of consumer electronics production. The Cinema Reference Mach IV features an impressive seven-inch 1080p front panel touch-screen display that doubles as a video preview display and setup interface. The rear panel boasts eight HDMI inputs with dual mirror HDMI outputs. While the Cinema Reference Mach IV is feature loaded with virtually every imaginable type of input connection, its defining feature is the built-in TEQ-16 sixteen-channel Trinnov electronic room correction optimizer. The Cinema Reference Mach IV is the world’s only pre/pro with a built-in TEQ optimizer featuring Trinnov’s technology. From both digital and HDMI inputs, the signal path directly to the output stage is purely digital with no A/D and D/A conversion in between processing and post-processing stages.

 

Morel, a leading manufacturer of high-end loudspeakers, will unveil its new home audio products at the CES 2012 Venetian suites 29-309 & 30-308. The company’s most advanced loudspeaker - its flagship 'fat lady' helped shape the new home audio loudspeakers incorporating many of its acoustic qualities and innovative technology solutions. When the fat lady was developed - the goal was to develop not only a true high-end loudspeaker, but to use that knowledge to introduce a new philosophy and direction for the company. The new assemblage of Morel is aimed for a wide range of consumers who wish to enjoy quality life-like music performance. The Sopran ($12,000, pictured above) is Morel's new no compromise high-end loudspeaker designed to compete with the best high end speakers in the world. It employs most of the fat lady’s technologies and performance attributes in a smaller package. With newly introduced technologies; titanium voice coils formers (for improved clarity and efficiency), Lotus grille (with multi sized holes pattern and 'zero-acoustic –insertion-loss'), in-line ports directly behind each of the three woofers and midrange. Morel's Octave 6 speaker is the first in the new generation of Octave. It consists of one piece floor-standing, bookshelf and centre speakers. The Octave 6 uses advanced driver technologies such as the titanium voice coil former, extra powerful hybrid magnet motor, and the Lotus as well as other technologies derived grille. Octave 6 delivers a genuine high end audiophile performance from a compact speaker. Lastly, Morel's Solan series produces the company's signature sound in an affordable price category.

 

SMc Audio just announced the release of two new products at THE Show / CES Las Vegas: the VRE-1C Reference Preamplifier and the Interocitor One Isolated Connection System. SMc Audio designer Steve McCormack will introduce a ground-breaking remote volume control system for his VRE-1C preamplifier is the company's "no holds barred" ultimate. McCormack states that his new volume control is the first remote system that delivers performance beyond the finest rotary-switch systems or potentiometers. The designer says, "Combining this new volume control with my VRE-1 preamp results in world-class performance at a price well below other top contenders. The VRE-1C delivers the best performance I have ever heard from a preamp, either tube or solid state." In addition, SMc Audio will introduce a novel new connection system dubbed the 'Interocitor'. Named after an alien communication device from the Sci-Fi world, the Interocitor One is McCormack's new approach to isolation transformers for high-performance audio. The Interocitor One gives the user complete freedom to choose balanced or unbalanced connections while isolating equipment grounds and eliminating the noise problems and sonic degradation caused by poor grounding. The Interocitor can solve noise problems, improve performance, and allow the use of balanced connections in an otherwise unbalanced system. It even allows the creation of balanced-bridged monoblock amplifiers from stereo amplifiers.

 

Genesis Advanced Technologies, a manufacturer of high-end luxury loudspeaker and amplifier systems, will be exhibiting at The Venetian suite 29-220. Showcased will be the Genesis 7.2f ($9000) high-end audiophile loudspeaker that has a built-in servo-controlled 8" subwoofer that delivers bass down to 22 Hz. An improved version of the famous Genesis ring-ribbon tweeter ensures perfect high frequencies to an extended 40kHz. A new solid-titanium midrange delivers even more speed, dynamics and lower distortion. Another product will be the Genesis Anniversary Monoblocks ($13,000) that deliver sweetness, delicacy, tonality and warmth of low-powered tube amplifiers. A full Genesis system comprising the Genesis 7.2f, the prototype Genesis Anniversary Monoblock Amplifier and the prototype Genesis phono stage will be demonstrated at the 2012 International CES. "This year, we are continuing with our tradition of showing prototypes to our dealers and partners," said Ms. Carolyn Koh, Vice President and COO of Genesis. "This is in line with the open door philosophy in the company, inviting feedback and criticism to make us better and stronger. CES is a great venue for this as it is an industry show, and our partners who are familiar with our products get a chance to have their say about future products." Mr Gary Leonard Koh, President and CEO of Genesis Advanced Technologies, said, "After ten years, we are still building on the range of products that we are offering to music lovers worldwide. The Genesis 7-series loudspeaker which won the Best of Innovations Design and Engineering award at CES2010 has been improved with new driver technology and will be demonstrated with the 10th Anniversary Monoblock 1,400W amplifiers."

 

Bel Canto will be at the 2012 CES Venetian suite 29-140 with many products. The Bel Canto C7R DAC Integrated Receiver ($2995) uses an amplifier based on the company's REF150 and includes a phonostage! This compact, powerful C7R DAC Integrated Receiver is loaded with inputs including two 24-bit/192kHz S/PDIF, two 24-bit/192kHz TosLink, one 24-bit/96kHz USB, MM Phono and Analog Line Level. Output connections are WBT NEXTGEN Speaker Connectors, RCA Line Out plus headphone jack. Bel Canto's DAC 3.5VB MK II ($5895) upgrade includes an improved analog supply that better isolates the PCM1792 converter. The designer also added a new, low-phase-noise main clock oscillator. A front-loading CD3t Transport ($1495, pictured above) features a high-reliability slot-loading mechanism. It’s fitted with AES/EBU and S/PDIF (BNC/RCA) reclocked digital outputs and low-jitter architecture. There’s also a 3.5mm IR control input and a sharp, bright four-character display with six push-button controls. The remote has a comprehensive set of control features not available on the front panel and operates other Bel Canto products too. These and many other products will be at the 2012 CES.

 

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