Amir's CES 2012 Picture Thread

[amirm]

I should say I had less time than last year to look around. And frankly, there was so much bad music playing that I didn't feel as motivated going door to door as I went through the suites. That said, here are > 100 images that I think are worthy of posting.

As I noted in my video thread, these are shot with my low-end camera (Canon G10) so the image quality is embarrassingly bad at times. I don't like to use flash because that disturbs people listening and at any rate, it has a terrible look. That means slow shutter speeds (i.e. blurry images) and noise. Next year I will take my DSLR.

Please note: My company sells products that compete with many of the units mentioned below.

 

[amirm]

Convergent Audio Technology, Stealth Audio Cables and MBL Speakers:

 

[amirm]

Amphion speakers and NuForce electronics:

 

[amirm]

Morel:

Not sure why these bits are on display. I guess they think they look impressive?

The business end:

 

[amirm]

Dersen Audio Technology:

 

[amirm]

Manley suite. The name surely fits the gear . Love their equipment names "Shrimp, etc." Maybe it means the equipment is good for your heart!

They said they hand wind their transformers in house :

 

[amirm]

PSB Speakers:

 

[amirm]

NAD was showing their new dedicated music server. It was a nice design, using the iPad for UI and such.

It is the unit on top, far left:

Here is the iPad:

 

[amirm]

I had fun at Theta suite listening to the new Dirac room EQ they have put their processor. They switched back and forth and the improvements were immediate, and significant. Imaging improved. Response improved. They then showed the PC software. I recorded that on video and will post later. It costs $4K and ships in April I am told. Yes, all the caveats regarding Theta history apply . This time though they say it is dealer installed.

Terrible shot of the PC software. As I said, the video will be posted and is much clearer:

They also showed the new switching class D amp. It is a self-oscillating type running at 400 Khz. Claimed that its response is load independent. I don't personally believe it with this frequency but let's see.

 

[amirm]

Usher. The sound was as non-remarkable as last year but the jewel here is a CD they give out. Incredibly well recorded demo material. It was sitting on the table. I don't think most people picked it up though.

 

[amirm]

Neat Audio's ULTIMATUM XL10 speakers:

 

[amirm]

Conrad Johnson. Boy, this looks like the front entrance of a building!

The business end:

I like the use of a small form factor Shuttle PC as a music server:

 

[amirm]

Focus Audio speakers and electronics. Being the nosy type at these shows , I walked up and touched the amp in the front to see how warn it was running. As soon as I touched it I heard relays clicking and music stopped! A panicked employee ran over and gave me the look of "you blew my electronics!" I apologized and said that I just touched the thing. He changed inputs, played with controls, etc., nothing would bring it back to life. More dirty looks came my way as I kept apologizing. Then a hard power reset and music played again! Static electricity can be an issue but I did not feel any. I say they need to test the sensitivity of the box to these issues or else, only sell it where it is humid .

PS Audio gear was in the back. Boy, that thing has such nice displays!

 

[amirm]

Vandersten TREO

Aesthetix electronics driving it:

And the Benz-AMG turntable.

 

[amirm]

Cary Audio:

 

[amirm]

Rega:

 

[amirm]

Vitus Audio. Are these YG Acoustic speakers?

 

[amirm]

Constellation Audio

Nice industrial design!

Someone else who must have a brother that runs an aluminum factory beside Bolder :

 

[amirm]

Cardas Audio. This is another guy who must own a materials company. I tried to pick up those spades with one hand and barely lifted it! Are these real parts???

 

[amirm]

Air Tight??? Someone really called themselves this name?