CES 2008: Robert Harley tackles Disc Players, Transports, and DACs at CES
January 23rd, 2008 — By Robert HarleyJanuary 23 - I usually cover all digital products at shows, but this year I split the task with Alan Taffel. I took the disc players, transports, and DACs, and Alan tackled “Next-Gen Audioâ€? (hard-disk-drive storage, Web-based content acquisition, wireless access, and high-end products with Ethernet ports).
This turned out to be a good move as this show saw the introduction of many conventional digital playback products, along with a wide range of next-generation gear that signals a new direction in high-end digital playback, as you’ll see in the links below.
Disc Player with LCD Display by Boulder
PS Audio’s Memory Transport
DACs by Accuphase and Berkley Audio Design Associates
CD/SACD Players from Esoteric Wadia, NAD, Meridian Audio, More
Meridian Audio’s 808.2 CD/DVD-A Player
Amps, Loudspeakers, Cables, More
Robert Harley’s Best of Show
Next: Disc Player with LCD Display by Boulder
808i version 2 is the best heart you can possible get in your stereo system. It plays all with ease and the preamp and converters in this machine are almost over everything anything else. I have put my blue ray player, turntable and TV in it, and it sounds terrific. Best buy, and thats it! A beautiful machine. Now i play the turntable. I had my doubts about this one because of the ADA converting, but don´t worry, this is a peace of cake for this machine. I have a time a go DAC 64. This is better on all parameters.
Comment by Nils March 19th, 2008 @ 3:29 amThanks to Robert and Allen.
Kind regards from Nils, owner of 808i.2
Great report and follow up comment. I have the 808i.2 on order to use with my DSP5200s and can’t wait.
My question is what improvement the new CAT5 link is over the current Meridian communication system?
Comment by Steve June 8th, 2008 @ 7:56 am