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The kick off to CES 2016 is two weeks away today. As usual, all the big names in hi end audio will be at the Venetian.
I expect we will see some pretty big announcements.
What's are your CES 2016 wish list (audio)?
Mine are...
Revel Salon 3
McIntosh updates the 2301's and uses KT150's!
MQA Announcements and Updates
Hmmm.... I don't have one ... Weird...
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Hi Mike,Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike
Your Item #1 would be cool but don't hold your breath. I've spoken to Revel several times in the last few months (I have a friend who is in the market for a pair of new Revels) and they said they are focused on bringing other new models to market. No Salon 3 or Studio 3 are in the works. So unless they are lying to me, you'll see no Salon 3 at CES 2016.
My friend and I did a head-to-head comparison of Revel's Studio 2 and F208 the other day at a local audio store. Both speakers were compared in an identical setup on an all Mark Levinson and MIT cabled system. We both preferred the F208 (a much newer model I might add) over the Studio 2 by a considerable margin. The F208 sounded more musical and had a smoother and more cohesive midrange and treble. The Studio 2 were a little more transparent and had a little tighter bass but their treble presentation was bright and their beryllium tweeter was not at all seamless with their midrange (even with the tweeter fully attenuated) compared to the F208's tweeter and midrange. I was really surprised by how great a speaker the F208's are and also by how far the Studio 2's performance was below the Salon 2's (not even in the ballpark).
Sorry to get off track from your original posting, Mike.
Happy Holidays,
Ken
Wow Ken, I am surprised by your findings but admit that I've never heard them side by side.
I would have to believe Revel would be super quiet on the replacement speaker. They all keep it close to the vest so as not to kill sales of current gear. That's my belief.
I hope nothing new shows up, that'll make me feel better about my gear :D
My friend and I didn't say a word to each other while we were listening, so as to not bias each other. But after the comparison was finished we told each other that the Studio 2 was a definite no go, while we were impressed as heck with the F208. There was one song (Ella Fitzgerald - Solitude), which is one of my favorite auditioning songs for tonal purity. The F208 was nearly identical to the Salon 2 in sound quality on this particular song.Quote:
Originally Posted by joeinid
Ken
Focal Sopra 3
Wilson Sophia 4
There will never be a Wilson Sophia 4.Quote:
Originally Posted by Audio 1
Ken - interesting comments. I heard the F208 against the Salon 2 and felt the Salon 2 was much better - especially that tweeter.
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Hi Mike,Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike
Overall the Salon 2 is significantly better than the F208. I was commenting on one particular song, which I've listened to a hundred times on the Salon 2, the F208 actually sounded very similar. On other material the Salon 2 is above and beyond the F208. However, in my opinion, the Studio 2 is a different story. My friend and I did a direct comparison of the Studio 2 and F208 on numerous songs of different genre and we both preferred the F208 on every song. I commented to the dealer that I thought something might be wrong with the Studio 2 but he insisted they were fine. It looks like my friend will be purchasing the F208.
Best,
Ken
How about new Lumin gear? And, I would expect that Caelin should be announcing soon a "sigma" series interconnects and speaker cables. Also, maybe we'll learn some more about the Wilson Alexx and the DAG Mono 400s.
A standalone Lumin network bridge (minus DAC) to compete with the Aurender N10.
Plus, in view of the warm reception to the M1, a higher end version with A1/S1 casing and linear power supply.
I would like to see McIntosh produce a new version of the MEN220, perhaps the MEN222. I want it to include state of the art A/D and D/A convertors, keep all the existing features of the MEN220 with the exception of the Bypass. I want a true analog Bypass, not just the Room Perfect Bypass as it is presently configured. I really like what Room Perfect does but the digital convertors need to be refreshed.
Come on McIntosh, it's time.
NEW ARC Phono stage
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Great. It never stops. I wonder just what trick they will pull out of the hat to better the Zitron Analog series? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ritmo
Revel Salon 2 replacement, maybe they're going to call it something else because they keep denying it's in the works.
I simply don't believe them. I'm sure they've been doing a lot of R&D for a long time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MDP
My CES 2016 wish list is that there is NO Salon 2 replacement. I'm just not ready for that. :happy:
McIntosh D1150 top shelf DAC
I also like Dan's MEN222 idea/specs [emoji106]
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Ha!Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceLet
Me too, I'd go crazy :D
I'd like to see McIntosh be more innovative too and not just waiting for new OEM tech to come along for them to re-power and re-badge.
I wish audio gear prices be lowered without compromising on quality...raw materials and components prices have dropped and hope this filters into the end product pricing.
Hi Mark,Quote:
Originally Posted by MDP
I'm hoping they hold onto the Salon 2 for a little longer. Hard to improve on this tremendous design. I love the cabinet, the titanium drivers and their beryllium tweeter. Maybe a diamond coating on the beryllium dome and some upgraded crossover parts. I wouldn't want them to change much. I bet you're in heaven with them! :)
Best,
Ken
EMM Labs DAC2 replacement (very likely).
Magico S3 upgrade with the new tweeter, midrange and bass goodies (very unlikely).
Ayre 5 series DAC (very much like).
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I wish Ayre would release a new mono amplifier at a lower price point than the MX-R Twenty. Something based on the VX-5 Twenty would be nice.
Price can make a speaker sound better than others.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpinist