CES News Flash

[Steve Williams]

Hi Elliott. I agree about the Ref 250. They told me the Ref750 is soon to be released

 

[Steve Williams]

I have heard them but not the XLF as it was a static display

 

[Husk]

Steve, Did you get a chance to here the BSGT QOL, or the MBL 101E's driven by the Cat tube monos, or the Widea Labs Asunder Music Server?

 

[Steve Williams]

Today. On my way there now

 

[KeithR]

Great news on the SFs, Steve. If I was in the market for a 6-figure speaker, that would be my first audition.

Have heard great things about Hansen, just pretty price prohibitive compared to competitors such as Wilson/Magico made in the states. Resale is terrible on them.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Great news on the SFs, Steve. If I was in the market for a 6-figure speaker, that would be my first audition.

Have heard great things about Hansen, just pretty price prohibitive compared to competitors such as Wilson/Magico made in the states. Resale is terrible on them.

They're made here and I have yet to find a dealer that carries them....distribution certainly is an issue. Not that I'm in the market .......my $2,000 Totem Sttafs will have to suffice.

 

[Elliot G.]

I think that Nola is also using those amps with the Baby Grand's 2. Did you hear them and did you hear the new Scaena?

 

[NorthStar]

Steve, how can you be in Las Vegas and concentrate on all the new Audio/Video stuff that they have to offer, and at the same time post here?
Do you have a high level of stamina? :b

Do you sleep at night so you are totally fresh and ready for the next day in your full front assault from your most important senses; vision & audition?

And how's the smell on them CES floors?
Food taste good?
Interesting things to touch? Like... :b

 

[LL21]

Great news on the SFs, Steve. If I was in the market for a 6-figure speaker, that would be my first audition.

Have heard great things about Hansen, just pretty price prohibitive compared to competitors such as Wilson/Magico made in the states. Resale is terrible on them.

I have heard the Hansen Prince and compared to Rockport Merak Sheritan II and YG Acoustics Ref...Hansen was a very solid performer. But relative to the other 2, in that room and in that system...no magic. Ypsilon and Electrocompaniet amplification and Boulder 2020 source.

My preference for sound was Rockport, my admiration for technical advancement, detail retrieval was clearly YGA and the Hansen was just a good solid overall performer but did not impart its own magic...neither super-live sounding music, nor extreme dynamics, just solid but not great in any way. Perhaps this is why resale is difficult?

To make a product successful these days, differentiation is very, very important. Even if you are going to be a solid all around performer, you need to be different...Devialet is a great example...very, very good in many areas, but not top, top, tops for a 5-figure component in any one performance area...except one...its extreme design, size, user-friendly installation and slim figure.

Just as a personal preference to show my own bias, I'd rather have SF Guarneris plus a kick-ass sub or 2, and struggle to make them blend but get superb magic in certain areas, than the Hansen Princes.

 

[Bruce B]

And how's the smell on them CES floors?
Food taste good?
Interesting things to touch? Like... :b

I absolutely HATE going to Vegas. I can't stand the cigarette smoke. Always get headaches.

 

[Steve Williams]

Only thing worse is the smell in the Flamingo.

BTW IMO THE Show was totally underwhelming

 

[Steve Williams]

Just heard the VTL room with the new Rockports. Extremely good sound

 

[LL21]

Just heard the VTL room with the new Rockports. Extremely good sound

Which ones, Steve? The Arrakis 2?

 

[Steve Williams]

Another speaker we heard was Perfect 8 which is a small $150K speaker with the drivers in plexiglass and no enclosure. Good but not great. Apparently RH and JV gave it contender for Best In Show. Not sure what they were smoking before listening and $150 K. ????

 

[Steve Williams]

Which ones, Steve? The Arrakis 2?

Avior. Extremely good with the new VTL's

 

[LL21]

Avior. Extremely good with the new VTL's

Thanks. Enjoy!

 

[Steve Williams]

Micro

Im back in the ARC/Sonus room. Still best in show.

DAC 8 does Redbook only

 

[Steve Williams]

Raidho speakers were in several rooms. The book shelf monitor they brought was beyond belief sound and eye candy to boot. IIRC one of our members here owns Raidho.

 

[Steve Williams]

Just spoke to Ken Stevens from CAT. Heard his new Statement amp played with MBL speakers. Definitely an improvement over his last amp which BTW is not too shabby either

 

[Wardsweb]

Only thing worse is the smell in the Flamingo.

BTW IMO THE Show was totally underwhelming

Did you see James Bongiorno at the Flamingo? You usually can't miss him.