TAS Editors/Reviewers Pick "The Most Important Trends" at CES 2009
What were the “Most Important Trends” at CES 2009? Our TAS Editors and Reviewers identified several, including:
ROBERT HARLEY: The proliferation of music servers designed for sound-quality. A good example is the Blue Smoke “Black Box” server ($6995) that looks like the first turnkey server to offer uncompromised sonic performance.
JONATHAN VALIN: Things are getting better folks, sonically speaking—better than I’ve heard in nearly forty years of listening to hi-fi. The show was a testament to this. The noise and colorations we’ve grown so used to over the years—and which we reviewers are geared to talk about—are going down or away in the very best products, making the job of audio criticism a lot harder to do, and making an audiophile’s life a lot better. Now if the economy will only cooperate, some of you may get the chance to hear the stuff I’ve heard and see for yourself that we’re entering a new Golden Age of High Fidelity.
NEIL GADER: An emphasis on value—particularly less expensive speakers based on flagship technology. Witness the Sonus Faber Liuto, Joseph Audio Pulsar, and Verity Audio Finn.
ALAN TAFFEL: High resolution DACs, and controllers supporting the new hi-res Blu-ray formats. Finally, we have the means to play “HD music” via downloaded files, music servers, and even Blu-ray Discs.
CHRIS MARTENS: The resurgent popularity of vinyl—especially among younger listeners. Vinyl’s tangible and intangible benefits (sound quality, plus the simple pleasure of spinning discs) foster deeper, stronger ties to our hobby.
DICK OLSHER: Raising the speed limit! The continued march toward greater transient speed via beryllium, titanium, and magnesium alloy cone drivers.
STEVEN STONE: Digital music servers and products designed to support hard-drive-based music libraries. In 2009 servers arrived big-time. By 2010 any audiophile without a music server in his system will be way behind the times.
JIM HANNON: The sound at CES was never better, aided by terrific turntable systems, reel-to-reel units playing Tape Project tapes, and high-resolution digital front ends.
(For full audio coverage of CES 2009, see the next issue of The Absolute Sound )
Comments
i m so close to buy my last speaker but i need a personel opinion between MBL 101e MKII vs genesis 2.2 speakers since you're the expert and pretty much hear almost everything out there bear on mind i mostly listen Salsa and Reggae music, i do like both speakers just want your honest opinion cause i trust it, either one you pick please tell me why, though i must admit MBL 101e might require a sub which i dont mind cause it is beautifull
May God bless
Anonymous,
I'm not sure to whom this was addressed, but I've had a good deal of experience with MBL speakers and I would highly recommend the 101 E Mk II (or the 111 F) for pop music. The Mk IIs are considerably improved over the original 101 Es--cabinet resonances have been reduced; drivers and crossovers have been improved; their sound is smoother and more neutral and more cohesive; their imaging (particularly center imaging) is tighter and better focused; and their soundstaging and dynamics, always MBL plusses, are as good as they've always been. The only downsides of MBL speakers are: a) they are low in sensitivity and need a very powerful amplifier (preferably an MBL amp) to drive them; b) they are ticklish about room size and placement (if your room is too large, they may not fare as well) and they like to see a mix of damped and undamped surface behind them and to their sides (and behind the listener); and c) they prefer to be played slightly louder than some speakers, although the latest generation of MBLs is better at lower SPLs than previous generations.
JV
Jonathan ,
I was told that you were fortunate to hear and evluate the new MBL speaker 111 F and 2009 CES .
Can you tell what you know about this new speaker ?
Thank you ,
Mark Hart
Hi Jim,
I think you are right on the money about the Reel to Reel tape deck phenomenon! Should you be interested in checking out a newly rebuilt United Home Audio Tascam professional Reel To Reel tape deck set up for The Tape Project tapes just let me know. United Home Audio will be putting the final touches on our newest offering in HQ reel to reel decks over the next couple of weeks. We have totaly rebuilt these units from the ground up with the following upgrades.
New high end gloss black paint job with silver cosmetics, pretty! We'll also have a black and gold unit with gold plated hardware and hubs, a real stunning look.
New HQ tape heads with prescision alignment.
New input and output connectors, plus we got rid of the old power cord and installed a 15amp IEC plug.
Upgraded preamp for record and playback featuring an IEC switch on the faceplate, this is required for The Tape Project playback.
Available options include a new custom all tube preamp for playback.
Complete internal diagnostic and lubrication was done of course
While being a pro unit the Tascam still retains it's "consumer size" chassis, best of both worlds. With a Tape Project tape this unit is simply the front end to beat, and I mean at virtually any price. Plus the recordings made on this unit are stunning, yes you can now enjoy analog and save your expensive phono cartridge and records. We've seen the resurgance of vinyl for a reason, because analog is a sound to be reconed with, so what's the next step in analog playback? Simple, reel to reel tapes (like the 1.5 generation master tapes now produced by The Tape Project) will put you closer to the live performance than anything available at this time. I understand that we are steping into a new relm of digital with high resolution downloads and Blu-ray audio, but still I question will you give up your analog for it? I bet that you won't, and I also bet that in a blind test the reel to reel playing a 1.5 generation master tape would beat the best that digital has to offer!
Music servers and beryillium drivers:
I *may* get a music server by 2010, but don't feel a big compulsion yet.
Given that I have glanced backwards with homemade horn/cornwall copies and flea powered tube amps, (not to mention LP's) I guess I'm already "out".
I would add, though, that my tweeters are TAD2001's - which have 1" beryillium compression drivers (not so much a Klipsch "copy" after all!).
Maybe some of those direct radiator metal cones could be horn loaded - to help expand the amp selection - get some of that lo-powered-amp magic HP has been taking about for so long. Mr Olsher has built speakers before - get on it , Dick!
Maybe, if high rez digital makes a comeback (after the SACD stumble) those servers will look better.
I very much hope that the reel-to-reel revival becomes a "real" phenomenon. I cant find simple parts or someone to repair my two Tandberg 3600 units. I've got a ton of irreplaceable music on tape that I could put on disc and preserve once I figured out how to use the software to do so (and moved the computer close enough to keep from having to buy a bizillion dollars worth of wire).
Mark,
I can't tell you much, save that it sounded terrific for the short time I got to hear it. I think the 111 F may be using MBL's new midrange and tweeter because it had better focus and finer resolution than the previous 111 (so, BTW, do the new 101 E Mk II and the world-class 101X-Treme). If you want more info on the 111 F, get in touch with MBL of America.
JV
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