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  1. #1
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    Best of CES 2014

    Best of CES 2014

    First off, I’m not a fan of using “best of”, but prefer “my favorite”. Let’s face it, any show is not an ideal environment for auditioning equipment, however, what I heard ranged from quite poor to extraordinary, with most falling somewhere in the middle. Also, a lot of times, there were extenuating circumstances affecting the demonstration – volume of people in the room, noise from adjoining rooms and most importantly, music selection (a very faint violin solo is not the best way to demonstrate your gear in such a noisy and congested environment.) That being said, CES is certainly better than RMAF for sonics due to larger rooms with higher rooms.

    But, there were some rooms that stand out to me – for better or worse. Here they are:

    Favorite Overall Room

    •There were several excellent rooms, but the nod definitely has to go to the VAC/Focal room at the Venetian. Kevin, Brent & Co. were able to reproduce a symphony orchestra as good as I’ve ever heard it on a hi fi system – probably better. I went back to this room several times, and every time was impressed. VAC 450’s, VAC signature Phonostage and Preamp, Focal Grande Utopia’s, Shunyata cabling throughout. Beautiful and awesome.

    Runner-up: Wilson Alexia/DCS/VTL room at the Mirage. Using the VTL 450 amps, this room produced some wonderful soundstaging.

    Favorite New Speaker
    •The new Magico S3’s were demonstrated by Magico (with Vitus) and in the Soulution/Axxis room. The midrange on the S3’s is outstanding and bass is totally balanced.

    Favorite NEW Modestly Priced Speaker
    •The GoldenEar Triton 1. Priced at a reasonable $4999/pair. Big sound. Great look and with the built in subs – powerful. Ass rattling bass with a delicate touch. You can have great sounding speakers for a great price – GoldenEar does it again.

    * Runner-Up: Also priced at $4695/pair, the Bryston Model T. Powered by the terrific 28SST2’s, the Bryston Model T continued Bryston’s desire to provide amazing speakers at a reasonable price.

    Favorite Speaker Setup

    •Wilson Alexia/DCS room at the Mirage. DCS utilizes a well-known dealer in California to do the setup. He had those Alexia’s dialed in as good as I’ve ever heard them.

    Favorite Analog
    •Demonstrating his new Kronos Sparta Turntable, Louis Desjardins was very proud (and rightly so) of his new invention. In my opinion, in the area of high end turntables, the only competition to the Kronos Sparta is the original Kronos.

    Favorite Synergy
    •This one surprised me, but the Soulution 711 with the Magico S3’s had an undeniable great synergy.

    Runner-Up: The Absolare/S5 room. On the first day, this room was rocking. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the Absolare amps sounded on the S5’s. Karem Kucukasian of Absolare is a good designer and a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He is one of my favorite people to chat with at the shows. Always friendly and cordial and he had his amps properly demonstrated on some great speakers.

    Favorite New Preamp
    •Ever since its announcement last year, the Audio Research SP20 has caught my attention. With its superb phonostage (equivalent to the ARC PH8, an $8000 phonostage in its own right) and beautiful profile and touchscreen. Sonically, the SP20 also continues the pedigree of quality preamps from the company in Minnesota.

    Favorite Digital

    •I will of course say the Lumin room! ☺ But besides the Lumin, the Nagra DAC (it has a tube output stage). It handles DSD, DSDX2 and all formats, natively. It sounds great with redbook/hi res, but when he played Double DSD, it was digital Nirvana.

    Favorite Digital for the Money
    •LA Audio Pro-2 Vacuum Tube CD Player. This tube CD player retails for just over $2000 and appears to be very well built and sounded better than many digital setups costing many multiple times more.

    Favorite NEW Solid State Amps
    •This category was very hard for me. Because, well, nothing blew me away. For me, the D’Agostino amps are my benchmark for solid state, but I wanted to see what was new and impressive. The new D’Agostino integrated sounded very good from what I heard. I also heard an endless amount of Swiss and European amps all trying to out do one another with higher and higher resolution. The Soulution 711 was very impressive. BIG jump up from the 710. But the winner for me was the Pass XA160.8’s. They are fast, dynamic, punchy with quick bass, a terrific midrange and much better separation than the XA.5 series. These amps are going to be a hit for Nelson & Co. A pair of XA60.8’s might just be the ticket. A great balance between sonics and heat!

    Runner-Up: Concert Fidelity amps. These wonderfully sounding, 125 watt/channel Class A amps made the TAD’s sound better than I’ve ever heard them, and actually quite listenable for someone who isn’t really a big fan of the TAD sound (but I do have tremendous respect for Andrew Jones and what he has accomplished).

    Favorite Solid State Amps

    •The D'Agostino Momentums continue to impress with their liquidity, bass control and balance. Oh, and yeah, they look pretty good too!

    Runner-Up: Not inexpensive by any means, but the Bryston 28 SST2’s continue to hit way above their price point. They just don’t do anything wrong and they do a lot of things right – definitely all the important things. Really, the Bryston 28 SST2’s represent a wonderful pair of amplifiers made by a wonderful company with the best warranty in the business and a terrific team behind them.

    Favorite NEW Tube Amp
    •This category was very hard for me for the opposite reason of my Best of Solid State category because there were so many great sounding tube amps! I admittedly have a love affair for Asian amps (you thought I was going to say Asian women didn’t you?) ☺ Triode Corp amps are a big tease! But in all seriousness, the Best Tube Amps were the Kondo amps. I didn’t know HiFi could sound THIS good. I could never afford them, but one can always dream.

    Favorite Tube Amps

    * VAC Statement 450’s. On the big Focal’s, these great amps continue to impress. Sounding more like music, and less like “tube” or “solid” state, the VAC 450’s continue to represent some of the best that is possible in amplification today.

    Favorite Tube Amp for the Money
    •This is an easy one. The LA Audio P-845 monoblocks. These amps stopped me in my tracks. I had to force myself to leave the room. I returned to this room 5 times. For $9995 for the pair, an absolute home run.

    Favorite Demonstrations:
    •The Shunyata demonstration with the Alpha Digital Power cord would convince even the most harden cable skeptic that cables DO matter.
    •Over at the Raidho/Ansuz room, Lars gave a pretty impressive demonstration of the new Ansuz cable risers.

    Biggest Disappointment:

    •McIntosh once again disappoints their core customers with another lackluster CES launch. Appealing to the iPod generation must be their current priority. Boom boxes, headphones and streamers must be the talk of the town at McIntosh these days.

    Thank you!

    I want to personally thank all the manufacturers who participated in CES. Their hard work and investment should not be overlooked. It is not inexpensive for them to come to these shows, to be away from their families, etc. and to put up with the same questions over and over again! Thank you.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  2. #2
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Mike, thanks for all your hard work. You did a great job ! Now I'm lusting over those XA160.8's
    Mark


    Kharma DB9 Signature
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  3. #3

    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Grateful thanks for the summary well done!

    B

  4. #4

    Best of CES 2014

    Mike...great job and thx for sharing.
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
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  5. #5
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Awesome Mike!

    ____________

    Few pics of your Favorite Overall Room (Focal-JMlab/VAC) ::








    http://www.focal.com/2014/----------------------------------------------------http://www.focal.com/en/
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  6. #6
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    What brand of amp stands is that ??? Beautiful.
    Paul

  7. #7
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    I THINK critical mass.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  8. #8
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Thanks Mike!
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

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  9. #9
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Well done. I hope u had fun in addition to all the hard work. Thanks for sharing how many great rooms I had no time to visit. Safe travels
    Nick
    Nick



    Main system :TAD CR1 speakers, Viola Labs Symphony amp,Pass XP-20 preamp., MSB Discrete DAC with twin power supplies and V2 Renderer module, Gigafoil V4 inline ethernet filter with uptone LPS-1 power supply with Ghent audio Gotham 2.1mm to 2.5mm cable and AG diamond ethernet cable, Sonicorbitor Roon Audiophile 6 TB network server-player , MG Audio Design Planus III jumpers & speaker cables, Zitron Cobra power cords, Shunyata Hydra AV, and acoustic zen absolute copper IC,. Room treatment ASC tower traps, Vicoustic absorber premium cinema wall and ceiling panels, and MSR acoustic trifusser side wall panel

  10. #10
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    Best of CES 2014

    Donation for Mike's hard work ?
    Paul

  11. #11
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    I THINK critical mass.
    Critical Mass makes beautiful looking as well as sounding racks and amp stands.
    Jim

    D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
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  12. #12

    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Thanks for the summary Mike! Like Mark, I would love to hear the .8 series one day!


    Allen



  13. #13
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    That was a great summary Mike, Thanks. I would have really enjoyed listening to those big Focal's and mentally compared. Anyone know if Albert Porter attended, he now has the same speakers and has been looking at options and I had mentioned the Vac's. I'll have to drop him a note

    Appears besides getting to see lots of eye candy first hand there were some great rooms, gotta give your hats off for being able to pull such off in less than ideal conditions and limited time frame.

  14. #14
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Best of CES 2014
    Thanks Mike. Great summary.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post

    Favorite Overall Room

    •the nod definitely has to go to the VAC/Focal room at the Venetian.

    Runner-up: Wilson Alexia/DCS/VTL room at the Mirage.
    Did you order the Grande's already Mike? You're not the #2 type of guy
    Hans

    Bowers & Wilkins 805 D3 /alternatively JM Lab Point Source Aria 5 (self modified)/ 2x SVS 3000 SB, Audionet AMP (2x), dCS Bartók used as streamer / DAC / preamp, Pro-Ject RPM 9 with Speedbox S and Orthofon MC Vivo Blue, KEF LS50 Nocturne / Sunfire Atmos(kitchen). Patio: Bluesound Node 2i and Focal CMS50.
    RoonServer on Nucleus.

  15. #15
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by Glareskin View Post
    Thanks Mike. Great summary.



    Did you order the Grande's already Mike? You're not the #2 type of guy
    They are great, but not for my room. Too big, too tall, too heavy, too expensive. If I had a 25 x 35 room with 12 or 15 foot ceiling and a concrete floor (instead of a wood subfloor), they would be on my short list. But in this price range, MBL 101 Xtremes for me.


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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  16. #16

    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Mike, is your $4,999 price for the Bryston Model T speaker correct? I thought it was $6,495 for vinyl (who would ever buy) and more for the veneers.

  17. #17

    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Hi Mike

    Thanks for the nod on the sound of the Bryston speaker but one small correction they are $4695 not $4995

    Thanks
    james

  18. #18
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Thanks for the coverage Mike.

  19. #19

    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by James Tanner - Bryston View Post
    Hi Mike

    Thanks for the nod on the sound of the Bryston speaker but one small correction they are $4695 not $4995

    Thanks
    james
    James, where is the best source for current pricing of the three T (Model, Middle, Mini) Bryston speakers, both vinyl and veener?

  20. #20
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by James Tanner - Bryston View Post
    Hi Mike

    Thanks for the nod on the sound of the Bryston speaker but one small correction they are $4695 not $4995

    Thanks
    james
    Wow. Even better! I will correct.


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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  21. #21

    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Hi Hiker

    The speakers we were demoing were the MIDDLE T's not the Model T's.

    The Middle T's in Vinyl are $4695 and in Wood add $800

    The Model T's in vinyl are $6495 and in Wood $7495

    The Mini T's are $2695 in vinyl and add $800 for Wood

    In order to keep things simple going forward the Model T Series will be available in WOOD only as a stock item and Vinyl will be special order.

    The A Series will be available in VINYL only and Wood will be special order.

    james

  22. #22

    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Thank you James. I believe you are making a smart marketing move by offering the T's in wood as standard finish. I am interested in the Middle T in wood and believe it is a very good value for what you get. Mike was apparently much impressed with the sound of the Middle T at CES 2014.

  23. #23
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by Hiker View Post
    Thank you James. I believe you are making a smart marketing move by offering the T's in wood as standard finish. I am interested in the Middle T in wood and believe it is a very good value for what you get. Mike was apparently much impressed with the sound of the Middle T at CES 2014.
    Hiker - definitely try to find a place to audition. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I thought they cost at least double when I spoke with James.


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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  24. #24
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Nice write up Mike. About the only thing I would mention is that the Raidho micro speakers were very impressive.

    How about some additional categories?

    Best booth babe

    Best bar

    Best menu item
    Jock

    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.

    ---------

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  25. #25
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Mike did you listen to the AZ Crescendo's hooked up to the LA P-845 mono's? I saw they were paired up.
    Paul

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  26. #26
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by PMCH View Post
    Mike did you listen to the AZ Crescendo's hooked up to the LA P-845 mono's? I saw they were paired up.
    YES! When you get a minute, read my Best of CES 2014. The LA-845's on the AZ speakers stopped me in my tracks. The entire LA setup with the AZ was a big highlight for me. I went back 5 times, so oh yeah, I loved that room. The LA gear was one of the best I heard all week. Very reasonably priced too.


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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
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  27. #27
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Favorite NEW Solid State Amps
    ... the winner for me was the Pass XA160.8’s. They are fast, dynamic, punchy with quick bass, a terrific midrange and much better separation than the XA.5 series. These amps are going to be a hit for Nelson & Co. A pair of XA60.8’s might just be the ticket. A great balance between sonics and heat!
    Which speakers were they driving? What was the source?
    Howard

    Pass Labs XS 300's, XS Pre | Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference Series 3, Alpha USB | Aurender W20SE, ACS10 | Magico S7's with MPOD's, QSub 15 x 2 | Shunyata Denali 2000T x 2 with Sigma HC | Audience aR6-TS Incoming... Shunyata Everest 8000 w/ Omega XC | MIT Heritage and Oracle Interconnects and speaker cables | Critical Mass Maxxum rack | Resolution Acoustics custom room treatments

  28. #28
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    Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by The Sandman View Post
    Which speakers were they driving? What was the source?
    Sony speakers. An Oppo CD player and a Technics TT.
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  29. #29
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by The Sandman View Post
    1. Which speakers were they driving?
    2. What was the source?
    1. Sony SS-AR1 hi-end loudspeakers.
    2. (a) Oppo BDP-105 hi-end Universal BD player (DSD/SACD stereo/multichannel, etc.). 2. (b) Technics SP-10 hi-end tt.
    With Pass SP-10 mk2 Power Supply.

    * Sorry, no pics.

    EDIT: You're in luck Howard!















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  30. #30
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Some people might raise some eyebrows at Tekniks (Technics) turntables, but that would be just that; eyebrows' raising.

    Here's the SP-10 MkIII :

    ~ Bob ~
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  31. #31
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Was the DeVore in the CES ?
    Paul

  32. #32
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Can you show me some pic Paul?

    * I'm visible now by the way.
    ~ Bob ~
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  33. #33
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Bob, Welcome back Now that's more like you

    Here is the pic .





    I would like to get exact set up with Leben gears

    Paul

  34. #34
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    I've seen all Leo Yeh's pictures (MY-HIEND.COM) from CES 2014, and I saw a bunch of similar speaker designs, but I'm just not sure if one of them was a DeVore speaker. It would take quite some time to revisit them all.
    I bet you would like to know the source and the pre-amplification and amplification and cables used with them?
    I might do it again, then I might not.
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  35. #35

    Re: Best of CES 2014

    John was there with his new Gibbon-X speakers driven by VTL amps. Sounded very punchy and easy to listen to. That table combo is highly underrated esp. the EMT cartridge.
    Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, PF, www.positive-feedback.com
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  36. #36
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Did anybody see or hear the most praised speakers of 2013: the Grimm LS1?

    http://www.grimmaudio.com/site/asset...ht_english.pdf

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  37. #37
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Heard them at RMAF. Loved them. I still think about them.
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  38. #38

    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    YES! When you get a minute, read my Best of CES 2014. The LA-845's on the AZ speakers stopped me in my tracks. The entire LA setup with the AZ was a big highlight for me. I went back 5 times, so oh yeah, I loved that room. The LA gear was one of the best I heard all week. Very reasonably priced too.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
    Hi Mike, Did you listen to the push-pulls or the SET. Thanks, Paul

  39. #39
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    Re: Best of CES 2014

    Welcome to the forum pas, thank you for joining.
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