Show Report 2008 Las Vegas

 
   
  The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) hosted their audio exhibits at the Venetian Hotel for its second year. CES is the main business event for the entire audio industry and attendance was the highest I’ve seen.  Some of the rooms used for the demonstrations, especially many of the larger suites had very bad room dimensions making it very difficult for a good demonstration.

There was an impressive number of high end audio companies showing at the main CES show and at the un-sanctioned venues displaying many interesting and great Audio, Video and Software pieces. 		 
 

 

Standing left to right David Weinhart, Robert Suchy and Garth Leerer next to the world class Clearaudio Statement table.

 

  
  Musical Surroundings, the distribution company for Clearaudio, Aesthetics, Benz Micro, Pathos and Musical Surroundings (their own brand) had rooms looking and sounding great. They displayed an impressive selection of some of the finest pieces of electronics to be seen and heard anywhere.  Clearaudio showed over 20 different turntables from $2,000 to $125,000 all beautifully designed and built in Germany.  After a lot of thought, I purchased the world class Clearaudio Statement Table including the Clearaudio reference linear tracking arm and reference pure gold wound  Clearaudio Goldfinger cartridge This reference LP player is one of the greatest examples of what is possible in the world of LP’s and a great tribute to the most diverse line of turntables made.  We're the first showroom in the U.S. to have one on display and audition!  You're cordially invited to experience the cost no object Clearaudio Statement system in our world class showroom in Los Angeles by appointment.  
 

 

Jeff Rowland had several new exciting pieces on display. Jeff Rowland was showing, the new improved Continuum integrated amplifier available in either a 250 watt into 8 ohms for $7,200 or a 500 watt into 8 ohms for $8,800, new reference two chassis Criterion pre amplifier for $18,000, 312 Stereo 500 watt amplifier into 8 ohms for $15,000 and new intriguing PC-1 Power Factor Corrector / conditioner designed for most of the newer Jeff Rowland products and many other products that have switching power supplies capable of 220 volts inputs for $1,495.

Jeff Rowland & David discussing his new designs

  
 


 
  Left to right are the Jeff Rowland’s Continuum integrated amp, Criterion reference pre amplifier and 312 stereo amplifier. Right to left are the Jeff Rowland’s 501’s & 201’s mono blocks, Capri pre amplifier in silver and in black and new PC-1 conditioner.  
 

 

 

  
  (Left) Scaena speakers with BAT VK-600SE amplifier in the off site venue. (Right) Scaena speakers in the joint BAT & Scaena room at the Venetian hotel  
  Balanced Audio Technology: showed the new REX Ultimate Line Stage pre amplifier with the VKD5-SE with the optional Supperpack and VK-600SE dual mono solid state and VK-150SE tube amplifiers with the good looking Scaena line array speakers and sounded delightful together. BAT also rented a Tuscan style villa for an off site demo room. Additionally they showed the new VK-55SE Tube Power Amplifier based on the incredibly successful VK-55 retailing at $5,995 and new SE version promises to be a new value packed winner  
 

 

The F-80 Meridian / Ferrari cost no object table top radio, CD, DVD player with optional I-Pod interface.

 

David Weinhart next to the new wonderful DSP-7200 digital active speakers with the new improved Signature 808 CD Reference player

  
  Meridian had several impressive rooms showing their diverse products including the mind boggling Meridian F-80 table top radio, CD DVD player complete with DSP internal speakers and sub woofer co-designed with Ferrari along with their diverse line of surround processors, CD players, DVD & CD drives, speakers in wall and free standing in both digital active and analog designs and their award winning projectors and video processors.

With new partners Meridian was making it well known that they are growing and showing clues in how they plan to further grow their cutting edge company. The Meridian America staff and several guests from Meridian UK were all coordinated in matching fashionable outfits and many new employees were on hand to meet the dealers. In these trying times Meridian showed off their products and staff and clearly looked like the unquestionable AV leader at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

My highlight of their rooms was the new DSP-7200 digital active speakers being driven with the new improved Signature 808 Reference CD player. The sound was open and extended down to the lowest bass with a clarity and speed exceeding my high expectations. In particular their ability to reproduce piano was uncanny. Also the new 7200’s speakers are the first of the Meridian DSP speakers to introduce a CAT-5 cables for superior ease of use and sound quality.		  
 

Mitch Freeman, Audio Consultant and friend standing by the G-61R surround processor

Mike Barber, VP Sales speaking with Pete Perciavalle friend and one of the top AV consultants about integration issues.

  
   
 
 


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