Las Vegas CES Nevada USA - January 2017
(Vegas Baby!)
The sheer madness of Vegas has to seen to be believed, there was a car on-top of the one arm bandits that you could win!!
The Venetian's amazing decor, with it's ornate ceilings and a real canal with gondolas was the perfect setting for the Hifi section, although in Hifi terms it wasn't as awe inspiring as Munich.... |
The CES in Las Vegas, Navada USA, has to be the mother of all electronics shows, infact, its the biggest trade show of any type in the world…
There are many things to see, from the latest I-gadgets, TV’s, computer games, in-car entertainment and even robots, but the main pull for us, is obviously the Hi-fi, ranging from wireless speakers, to the ultra hi-end. The show is hosted in a number of Hotels, the Hi-Fi part takes place in the simply stunning Venetian Hotel, with it’s real canals with actual gondolas and blue-sky ceilings, it’s one of the maddest paces on earth and a great setting for some serious audio.. so we packed our bags and set off across the pond, armed with a note pad and a camera… Here is a selection of some of the rooms, which are in no particular order, but just stuff that was interesting and sounded good!
Spotify tracklist of what we heard at the show
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Esoteric
The Teac/Esoteric room sounded really good, and was well presented too. Focal speakers, dominated at this year's show, featuring in a good number of rooms. The Esoteric separates appeal not only for their superb build quality and sound, but also for their gorgeous styling, although very modern with their curly lines, but also with a hint of classic hifi peaking through. |
We heard
Peter Frampton - Lines on my face |
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Auris
Auris displayed some smart looking kit, with the stunning 19.5 Kilo Fortino 6550 valve amp at the helm, thit retails for £4,795, available from Kronos AV & Audio Emotion in UK.
Build quality and looks, will appeal to the masses, not bad value for money either...
The compact floor-standing strangely named 'Poison 3' speaker made a great account for themselves, filling quite a large room with ease.
Build quality and looks, will appeal to the masses, not bad value for money either...
The compact floor-standing strangely named 'Poison 3' speaker made a great account for themselves, filling quite a large room with ease.
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Morel
Moral were showcasing some rather radical looking speakers, which i feel may have limited Wife Acceptance Factor... but will appeal to the formula 1 fan!
They sounded captivating, not surprising really, as Moral have a strong reputation for making fantastic drive units...
They sounded captivating, not surprising really, as Moral have a strong reputation for making fantastic drive units...
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Musical Fidelity
Focal Speakers M6 and Encore 225 Streamer
The M6 Encore looks to be a big contender in the one box system market, great styling and build, typical of MF.
Nicely presented room too, if the New Nu-Vista CD player sounds as good as the old one, it's set to be a winner.
Focal Speakers M6 and Encore 225 Streamer
The M6 Encore looks to be a big contender in the one box system market, great styling and build, typical of MF.
Nicely presented room too, if the New Nu-Vista CD player sounds as good as the old one, it's set to be a winner.
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Micromega
M-One demonstrated with Focal Speakers
M-One demonstrated with Focal Speakers
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Micromega were showcasing the 'One' this Lap-top looking class A/B Integrated is USB, AirDream LAN & Blue-tooth compatible, also fitted with a MM and MC phono stage, and internal DAC, pushing out an impressive 100watts or 150watts, depending on which model you choose (m100 or m150) driving a big pair of Equally Tango inspired Focals, this was truly impressive... it's available in a range of colours (Thank god for that)
RRP - m100-$3750 / m150-$5000 
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Zanden Audio - Grand Prix Audio
Grand Prix 'Monico' turntable
Grand Prix 'Monico' turntable
Zanden and Grand Prix had some real eye (and ear) candy on show.
The star for me, was the Beautiful Monico Turntable, this carbon clad beauty, as it's name suggest, would be equally at home on qualifying laps with Lewis hamilton behind it... The Zanden Audio Electeronics were eye catching too... The 845 powered 60 watt 9600 MK.2 Power amps, really sang with some smooth Jazz flavours.. We heard:- Milt Jackson - I Cover the Waterfront
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KEF
LS50 wireless speakers
LS50 wireless speakers
KEF are on to a proper winner here, with the LS50 Wireless, which is a fully active and wireless version pf the classic and highly regarded original. There were wires though... I guess this was KEF's closed network connection to combat the typical sketchy internet connections in hotels.
Anyone who knows the LS50, will be aware how brilliant this little speaker is, and this version sounding equally as good, but will appeal more due to the lack of black boxes, needed to use them... available in a funky range of colours...
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MSB Technology
MSB was a really engaging listen...the class A 200watts (8ohm) M204 mono block (starting at $40,000 for pair!!)
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I didn't catch the model of the speakers, but they sounded lovely MSB's entry level DAC is $6995. Expensive, but lovely kit, sleek looking too.
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YKY Audio
WF01 speakers in bamboo
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YKY Audio from China made a very pleasing noise in their nicely set-out room... choosing to use a small alcove in the room, instead of the main area. This paid dividends, as it was a very musical system. The speakers started at under $500 for a pair of beautifully finished Bamboo clad wireless speakers... very temped to stock these at some point, as they were highly impressive... Very friendly sales team too, if struggling with the language barrier a tad. |
Prism Sound
Callia preamplifier
Callia preamplifier
The Callia preamp/DAC, which originated from the Pro/studio arena, features optical and coax inputs.
Sounded stunning with pair of ATC speakers.
We spent quite a bit of time in their room, as the sales team were really friendly and welcoming.
Music selection was great too.
Sounded stunning with pair of ATC speakers.
We spent quite a bit of time in their room, as the sales team were really friendly and welcoming.
Music selection was great too.
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We heard
Spirit and Mother Project - Niki & The Dove Hiromi The Trio Project performing "Alive" |
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Genesis
Genesis amps, unknown turntable We loved the Genisis/Viva room!!
The main man had a real sense of humour and revelled in the delight of pumping out nightclub levels of pounding house music amongst the jazzy vibes of most of the rooms around him!... a man after our own heart! Swedish house mafia was pumping when we arrived, and Infected Mushroom's 'You Are So F*cked' was offending people as we left! 
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ELAC
ELAC's rooms were a delight, I met the very welcoming Andrew Jones, designer of the Superb Debut range, which we stock.
The cracking sounding and stunningly presented Andante speakers, which are ELAC's flagship speaker, sounded as stunning as they did at Munich last year.
Monica and the team are always a pleasure to spend time with, the little Integrated amp in their range is also worth checking out!
ELAC's rooms were a delight, I met the very welcoming Andrew Jones, designer of the Superb Debut range, which we stock.
The cracking sounding and stunningly presented Andante speakers, which are ELAC's flagship speaker, sounded as stunning as they did at Munich last year.
Monica and the team are always a pleasure to spend time with, the little Integrated amp in their range is also worth checking out!
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Prototype AS-61GW
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Tonewinner
Tonewinner speakers and amplifiers from China
Tonewinner speakers and amplifiers from China
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Tonewinner from China were showcasing their range of very well made and sonically impressive 2 channel amps and speakers.
The amps all features sub-woofer outputs and MM and MC phono stages, a real world solution, for today's audiophiles on a budget. Astounding value for money, with amps starting at around $500. The speakers sound and finish were also very impressive. |
DS AUDIO
DS had some very impressive equipment on display.
The Lockport Tech Loudspekers really impressed, as did the DS Master 1 Turntable.
Brilliant and gorgeous summed it up nicely...
The Lockport Tech Loudspekers really impressed, as did the DS Master 1 Turntable.
Brilliant and gorgeous summed it up nicely...
Rockport Tech speakers and DS Master 1 turntable
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Technics
 Vintage pair of SB-RX50's
Technics had a large room, with some really beautiful kit on display.
We particularly enjoyed their range of very well finished speakers. The large floor-standing SBR-1 really rocked and were very controlled, a real engaging listen... The compact SBC-700 were interesting to us, as they shared the same flat coax driver as their brother, but also hark back to the classic SB-RX50 that has gained cult status amounts vintage Technics collectors. 
The new SBC-700's
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Clearaudio turntables
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German Turntable giants, Clear Audio, Never fail to impress with their range of turntable exotica...
Practically "paudiographic" (just made that word up). They really know how to put on a show.... 
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Airtight and Piega
Japanese High-End Valve specialists Airtight, were showing their massive ATM-X 845 mono blocks, which gave a truly mesmerising performance with some classic Dizzy Guillespi.
The Opus one turntable was an eye-catcher, but somehow managed to look a little dated. Speakers were by Piega, a high-end Swiss brand, that we have had the pleasure of sampling here at the Hangar, when we borrowed the lovely Classic 40's The Piega C10 speakers, retailed at a cool $25,000 a pair If you have to ask the price of Airtight, you probaly can't afford it..
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Accuphase and Franco Serblin
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Accuphase gear is always a pleasure, proper classic hifi, that seems timeless.
The Lignea speakers designed by The Late, Great, Franco Serblin of Sonus faber fame that resemble a violin sounded as striking as they looked, with superb transience and a really impressive bottom end, considering the side of the cabinets. We heard these speakers at Munich last year, and were equally impressed with them there. 
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Nagra
Nagra's stunningly built range of electronics sounded as good as they looked... not much more to say really, just took at it!!!
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We heard Piensa En Mi - Luz |
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Rogers High Fidelity
Rogers High Fidelity were showing some lovely kit, including some very snazzy valve amps...
No connection to the UK Rogers Brand....also the TT was very sexy. |
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Joseph Audio, Rogue Audio and VPI
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Joseph Audio were playing their superb sounding speakers.
They had a striking resemblance to the Legendary Jamo Concert 8.. Turntable by VPI, looking awesome and sounding fab. This was a great sounding room, with a nice easy vibe. 
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SimAudio
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SIM were showing off their huge 888 power amp.
build quality was second none. Massive sound from this room, that matched the size of their kit!
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Monitor Audio & Roksan
Monitor Audio were making some good sounds
it was nice see them using a classic Roksan Radius 5 Turntable (i miss the one i use to have)
Monitor Audio were making some good sounds
it was nice see them using a classic Roksan Radius 5 Turntable (i miss the one i use to have)
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Acoustique Quality
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Acoustic Quality has their 'Passion' series running and they sounded realty good, very fast sounding speakers, sounding very coherent and lively.. we really liked them!
The mad looking Orca is a proper design statement, it would look wicked in a modern studio apartment, but i fear that the stark decor in a modern room, may work against them as they are a very lively little speaker... careful and discreet room treatment is probably the key here. 
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Neimann & Burmester
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Burmester and Neimann had some lovely blingy stuff on display...
The Neiman Phase 3 system was available in chrome and black finishes and looks the business! Burmester were demming their B18 speakers, which sounded very impressive, with really tight bass. The partnering Phono 100 pre and 911 mk.III power looked and sounded the part, along side a stunning Thorens TD550 turntable, that matched perfectly |
We heard
The Thrill has Gone - BB King |
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MBL
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Having seen the MBL demonstration at 2 munich show, we were aware of the capability of their crazy looking speakers.
Their 'Der Vorverstarker' pre was equally as bonkers... Music was very well chosen too, although i failed to note down what it was. 
Der Vorverstarker
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Triangle Art
With Engelston works speakers
With Engelston works speakers
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The visual star of the show had to be the incredible Triangle Art Reference SE with the Osiris Mk2 tonearm... it was the perfect turntable to bring to the Venetian in Vegas, and they played Elvis too... pure decadence never seemed more appropriate!!
Engelston Works provided the speakers, which although not having the same visual impact as the turntable and matching electronics, sounded very good indeed, one of our favourite room in the show.
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Totem Acoustics
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Totem from Canada were displaying some new speakers, which were much more modern looking than their previous wooden towers.
Equally as musical as any of their noted designs, and with a really well presented room. Totem always make a very good effort at shows, we remember being equally impressed at Munich last year.... 
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Swan Speakers
Swan 2.8 AHT speakers
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Swan were using the massive front speakers from their 2.8 AHT home cinema system, in a great sounding 2 channel system.
The main event in their room was the award winning MS.10 unidirectional speaker, that can be used in mono or stereo (if you buy two) These picked up the CES Innovation award. Sadly, it was only on static display, so we couldn't heard it.. (But it does look a bit like a toilet...) |
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Swan MS-10 wireless active speaker system
Goldern Ear
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The best sound in the show, had to be the Golden Ear room, with it's brand new and simply stunning sounding Triton Reference speakers.
We were really taken by these, and the sales guys were really welcoming too. As the speakers stole the show, we didn't note down the amps and sources, but the whole system gelled and was a sheer joy to listen too. The music they played wasn't the normal smooth jazz or female vocal either, they picked some more challenging rock and electronica, which is refreshing. We heard Beck sounding superb, a risk, as Beck's lo-fi vocal effects, can be a challenge to the very best systems. The company's Sandy Gross was also involved in Polk audio & Definitive Technology, which is a pretty good pedigree for sure!! |
We heard
Heart is a drum - Beck |
Dayton Audio
Dayton Audio had a fantastic sound in their room, the pick for us were the rather striking line array Epique CBT24.
These backward tilting, time aligned towers sounded stunning, and were staggering value for money.
They were available as a kit, or fully built, introductory price is $995 for the kit, or $1,495 fully built... AMAZING VALUE!!
These backward tilting, time aligned towers sounded stunning, and were staggering value for money.
They were available as a kit, or fully built, introductory price is $995 for the kit, or $1,495 fully built... AMAZING VALUE!!
Epique CBT24 speakers
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We heard Satellite - Dave Matthews Band |
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Dynaudio
Speaker legends Dynaudio showed some nice designs, along with Octave elctronics
The main system comprised of:-
Dynaudio Contour 60
$10,000 USD/pair
Octave MRE 220 monoblock amplifiers (220W) – $20,000 USD/pair
Octave HP 700 Preamp – $12,500 USD
Moon 780D DAC – $15,000 USD
Aurender N100H – $2,500 USD
Cardas Clear Beyond Cable
It sounded great, nice room set-up too, with a relaxed vibe.
The sound was very open and detailed, typical of Dynaudio's sound signature, I have always felt that their speakers are just as at home in the studio, as they are in the home.
The main system comprised of:-
Dynaudio Contour 60
$10,000 USD/pair
Octave MRE 220 monoblock amplifiers (220W) – $20,000 USD/pair
Octave HP 700 Preamp – $12,500 USD
Moon 780D DAC – $15,000 USD
Aurender N100H – $2,500 USD
Cardas Clear Beyond Cable
It sounded great, nice room set-up too, with a relaxed vibe.
The sound was very open and detailed, typical of Dynaudio's sound signature, I have always felt that their speakers are just as at home in the studio, as they are in the home.
Kalista Cd player
Another striking bit of kit, was the Metronome Technologie Kalista Integrated CD player on top of the Nausicaa DAC
visually dramatic and sounding wonderful too.
CD players were definitely a dying breed at the show, as most rooms favoured vinyl or digital streamers, but just like the Airlight turntable pictured earlier on in the report, i can't help feel that the chunky acrylic used in this design, somehow dates it visually, as frankly, this style was used as far back as the 70's with the Gale turntable... pretty cool, all the same!
visually dramatic and sounding wonderful too.
CD players were definitely a dying breed at the show, as most rooms favoured vinyl or digital streamers, but just like the Airlight turntable pictured earlier on in the report, i can't help feel that the chunky acrylic used in this design, somehow dates it visually, as frankly, this style was used as far back as the 70's with the Gale turntable... pretty cool, all the same!
So, that's about it, but i guess it isn't just a hifi show, and as i previously mentioned, it covers all aspects of consumer electronics, from cars, TV's, computers, gaming, OEM manufacturing and everything in-between, so it's never going to compete with the likes of Munich and other dedicated hifi shows.
Whether the hifi section of the CES will continue to thrive will have to be seen, but saying that, we had a great time, and the Vegas atmosphere made it all the more enjoyable.
Would we go again? the Jury's out...