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    The Computer Audiophile

    CES 2010 Notes

    <img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/ces-2010.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left">The 2010 Consumer Electronics Show went very well. Not many people raved about the sound quality, myself included, but there were some bright spots for consumers. One item that will benefit high end audio is the increase in competition among asynchronous USB implementations. Wavelength, Ayre and <i>d</i>CS are no longer the only game in town for plug n' play async USB interfaces. I was also pleasantly surprised by the advances PS Audio has made with its PWD, PWT, iPod Touch remote control app, and possible NAS offering. Many readers can likely guess what I consider the best sound of the show, but just as relevant are my favorite sound of the show and favorite product of the show. Plus, see what ten CDs I picked up at T.H.E. Show that I've had on repeat since I walked in the door.

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    <b>Asynchronous USB</b>

     

    Asynchronous USB is commonly referred to as the best type of USB interface implementation. Until recently consumers have only had a few options for async USB components. There were a handful of new asynchronous USB interfaces on display at CES this year. Some of them I was unable to verify as truly asynchronous. Instead of cast doubt on the product or the manufacturer or publish incorrect details I will wait for further information before commenting. Two interfaces I was very impressed with come from Mbl and Resolution Audio.

     

    Everyone in high end audio is aware that Mbl manufacturers very good sounding products. I met with Mbl's Chief Engineer Juergen Reis who provided details about his new USB interface. Some technical aspects were admittedly way over my head, but I understood the gist of what Juergen said. The new Mbl USB interface does register as Asynchronous using the USB Prober utility, but Juergen's design appeared to take asyc one step further. I jokingly referred to it as Asynchronous+. It will be interesting to see other engineer's opinions of what Juergen has done and to compare the Mbl interface to other asynchronous interfaces on a technical level. The Mbl USB interface can be added to current Mbl DACs and does not exist as a standalone product.

     

    At CES 2008 San Francisco based Resolution Audio demonstrated a DAC with embedded AirTunes. The DAC received music via a wireless stream from a Mac Mini sitting a fair distance from the audio rack. At the time this component was all the rage. I mentioned the then named IXS Music Server in a <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/CES-Update-Resolution-Audio-IXS-Music-Streamer">post from January 8, 2008</a>. Since CES 2008 Resolution Audio's Jeff Kalt has gone through the same frustrations that many Computer Audiophile readers went through. When Apple updated iTunes and essentially broke the AirTunes functionality it was a headache for many readers and a turning point for Resolution Audio. The Apple "upgrade" was the straw that broke the camel's back and solidified in Jeff's mind that he could not depend on Apple's Airport Express as an integrated part of a Resolution Audio product. Resolution Audio is a small shop that could never handle all the customer service calls it would have received if it would have gone the AirTunes route. Following that experience Resolution Audio decided to develop the best USB interface it knew how to develop and include the interface in a new product or two. This year at CES Resolution Audio debuted of the Cantata Music Center and the Pont Neuf bridge asynchronous USB to Ethernet interface in the U.S..

     

    The Cantata Music Center features a Redbook CD player, AES/EBU, Coaxial, Optical, asynchronous USB, and Ethernet digital inputs. The Cantata's Ethernet port connects to a home network where it's a UPnP client and will play files from any UPnP server in addition to receiving remote control commands and streaming audio from a computer. The UPnP server can be any number of devices. Readers will most likely use a NAS unit as a UPnP server to store their music. At CES Jeff Kalt controlled playback through the Cantata via an iPod Touch.

     

    The Pont Neuf bridge asynchronous USB to Ethernet interface is the small device pictured below. It appears as an asynchronous USB DAC to a Mac OS X or Windows based computer. The Pont Neuf bridge allows one to place a computer anywhere on one's home network and still send audio to the Cantata. The Pont Neuf bridge uses a wired or wireless LAN as a USB extension through network hubs, switches, or routers. Technically each Ethernet cable can be 100 meters in length, greatly out-stretching traditional connection methods. Even a single Ethernet cable at 100 meters is substantially further than the current limits of FireWire and USB cables. FireWire currently limits a single cable to 4.5 meters. USB's current cable limit is about five meters. According to Jeff Kalt the Pont Neuf bridge will work at 24/96 over a wireless home network. As of this writing Resolution Audio has no plans to release the Pont Neuf bridge as a separate component capable of connecting other DACs.

     

    In addition to the technical details both the Cantata and the Pont feature a new look and chassis design for Resolution Audio. In the past Resolution Audio components were about half as wide as the current Cantata and didn't feature the wonderful metal work now incorporated into both new components. Pictures alone don't do these components justice. The metal work is very solid and looks much more stunning in person.

     

     

     

    Click to enlarge.

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_19.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_19.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 19"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_18.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_18.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 18"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_15.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_15.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 15"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_14.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_14.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 14"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_13.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_13.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 13"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_11.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_11.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 11"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_10.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_10.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 10"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_09.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_09.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 09"></a>

     

     

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_21.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_21.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 21"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_17.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_17.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 17"></a>  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    <b>PS Audio</b>

     

    As I said in the opening paragraph I was pleasantly surprised with PS Audio's advances. To be honest I told the guys at PSA that I didn't think they could pull it off. We've all heard about PS Audio's ambitious goals in this area and I really thought there was no way a high end audio company could actually meet the goals (iPod Touch application, HRx 24/176.4 playback, metadata from its own server, a NAS, etc...). I am very happy things are working out great for PS Audio. In fact I Tweeted via the Computer Audiophile Twitter page that PS Audio may have out-designed Apple with its iPod Touch application. The app is as simple as it gets while still including all the extras a user could want. I played with the iPod app for quite a while trying to use all the features and possibly find its weaknesses. The whole experience was simple. I didn't find any real weaknesses but I did offer a suggestion or two. I'm sure the PS Audio guys had already thought of my suggestions and were just playing along to make me feel smart :~) Included in the PS Audio photos below is a shot of PS Audio's prototype NAS device. The final design is far from complete according to Paul McGowan. Paul does envision the PS Audio NAS as a simple device that requires no user intervention to setup or configure to work with the other PS Audio components. PSA has really put a lot of R&D into its new products and it's wonderful to see things are working out great.

     

     

     

    Click to enlarge.

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_34.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_34.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 34"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_33.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_33.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 33"></a>

     

     

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_32.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_32.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 32"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_31.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_31.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 31"></a>  

     

     

     

     

    <b>Best and Favorites of CES</b>

     

    My award for Best Sound of CES does go to Magico and its Q5 loudspeaker. That should be no surprise considering how much I've <a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Magico-Merging-Technologies-and-Matan">previously said about the speaker</a>. There's no need to go into more detail other than to say I didn't hear better sound anywhere in Las Vegas.

     

     

    My award for Favorite Sound of CES goes to the new Nagra 300i integrated amplifier with four 300B tubes. I got into the Nagra suite the night before the show started and listened to the 300i for a few minutes. The rest of the weekend I was craving that sound. It was very lush and so enjoyable I wanted more. During the course of the show I ran into several people who felt the exact same way. The 300i produced their favorite sound of the show. There was no price available for the new 300i.

     

     

     

    Click to enlarge.

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_05.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_05.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 05"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_04.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_04.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 04"></a>  

     

     

     

     

     

     

    My award for Favorite Component of CES goes to the <a href="http://www.resolutionaudio.com/">Resolution Audio<a> Cantata Music Server and associated Pont USB converter. A price wasn't available for this component either, but I sure it will not be stratospheric. Resolution Audio produces great components at reasonable prices and I expect nothing less going forward.

     

    Edit: Pricing just received from Resolution Audio.

     

    Cantata Music Center $6,000

    Cantata 50 amplifier $4,000

    Pont Neuf $400

     

     

     

    <b>New Music</b>

     

    One of my favorite things to do at CES and RMAF is to find new music. At every show there is a large area where many online record stores and record labels setup shop. It's always an expensive part of the show but it's the most fun and what I look forward to the most. Here are the selections I purchased at CES 2010.

     

     

     

    Click to enlarge.

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/hank-mobley.jpg" title="Hank Mobley - Soul Station (XRCD24)" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/awmxr0001.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="AWMXR0001" ></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/horace-parlan.jpg" title="Horace Parlan - Speakin' My Piece (XRCD24)" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/awmxr0002.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="AWMXR0002" ></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/sonny-clark.jpg" title="Sonny Clark - Cool Struttin' (XRCD24)" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/awmxr0003.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="AWMXR0003" ></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/tina-brooks.jpg" title="Tina Brooks - True Blue (XRCD24)" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/awmxr0004.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="AWMXR0004" ></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/ats-delight.jpg" title="Art Taylor - A.T.'s Delight" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/CBNJ_84047_SA__49150__01152009122731-7601.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="49150" ></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/soul-samba.jpg" title="Ike Quebec - Soul Samba Bossa Nova" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/CBNJ_84114_SA__49161__01152009122731-6007.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="49161" ></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/john-patton.jpg" title="John Patton - Along Came John" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/CBNJ_84130_SA__49163__01152009122731-8022.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="49163" ></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/lee-morgan.jpg" title="Lee Morgan - Lee-way" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/CBNJ_84034_SA__49149__01152009122731-9124.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="49149" ></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/whistle-stop.jpg" title="Kenny Dorham - Whistle Stop" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/CBNJ_84063_SA__49152__01152009122731-7671.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="49152" ></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/dexter-calling.jpg" title="Dexter Gordon - Dexter Calling" class="thickbox" rel="CES-Music-Gallery"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/CBNJ_84083_SA__49140__01152009122730-5124.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="49140" ></a>

     

     

     

     

    Links to purchase:

     

    <ul>

    <li><a href="http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AWMXR0001">Hank Mobley - Soul Station (XRCD24)</a></li>

    <li><a href="http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AWMXR0002">Horace Parlan - Speakin' My Piece (XRCD24)</a></li>

    <li><a href="http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AWMXR0003">Sonny Clark - Cool Struttin' (XRCD24)</a></li>

    <li><a href="http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AWMXR0004">Tina Brooks - True Blue (XRCD24)</a></li>

    <li><a href="http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/49150/Art_Taylor-ATs_Delight-Hybrid_Stereo_SACD">Art Taylor - A.T.'s Delight</a></li>

    <li><a href="http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/49161/Ike_Quebec-Soul_Samba_Bossa_Nova-Hybrid_Stereo_SACD">Ike Quebec - Soul Samba Bossa Nova</a></li>

    <li><a href="http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/49163/John_Patton-Along_Came_John-Hybrid_Stereo_SACD">John Patton - Along Came John</a></li>

    <li><a href="http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/49149/Lee_Morgan-Lee-way-Hybrid_Stereo_SACD">Lee Morgan - Lee-way</a></li>

    <li><a href="http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/49140/Dexter_Gordon-Dexter_Calling-Hybrid_Stereo_SACD">Dexter Gordon - Dexter Calling</a></li>

    <li><a href="http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/49152/Kenny_Dorham-Whistle_Stop-Hybrid_Stereo_SACD">Kenny Dorham - Whistle Stop</a></li>

    </ul>

     

     

     

     

     

     

    <b>Final Notes</b>

     

    <a href="http://www.caryaudio.com/">Cary Audio</a> was demoing its new music server. The server is still very much a prototype.

    Jeff Kalt of Resolution Audio was using a little <a href="http://www.mimomonitors.com/">USB iMo monitor</a> to display iTunes cover flow. A touch screen is now available.

    Ayre's Bluray player produced a great picture as well as really nice sound through Ayre components and Vandersteen model Seven loudspeakers.

    The Samsung both at the convention center was absolutely over the top. Not audio related but worth a mention. The 3D TVs were also better than expected.

     

    Finally, it was great meeting the Computer Audiophile readers who I ran into at the show. I think we need to set something up for Rocky Mountain in October so more of us can meet up :~)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Click to enlarge.

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_30.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_30.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 30"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_25.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_25.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 25"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_07.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_07.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 07"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_36.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_36.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 36"></a>

     

     

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_29.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_29.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 29"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_26.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_26.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 26"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_23.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_23.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 23"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_08.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_08.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 08"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_27.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_27.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 27"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_35.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_35.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 35"></a>  

     

     

     

     

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_53.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_53.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 53"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_51.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_51.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 51"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_45.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_45.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 45"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_44.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_44.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 44"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_43.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_43.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 43"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_42.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_42.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 42"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_40.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_40.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 40"></a>

     

     

     

    <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_50.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_50.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 50"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_49.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_49.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 49"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_48.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_48.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" align="left" alt="CES2010 48"></a>   <a href="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/full_39.jpg" class="thickbox" rel="CES2010"><img src="http://images.computeraudiophile.com/graphics/2010/0115/small_39.jpg" style="padding: 5pt 10pt 7pt 5pt;" alt="CES2010 39"></a>  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     




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    Chris,<br />

    <br />

    I have one album at 88.2, the rest are all 44.1 and 96, so this would be useful. Did ASUS deliberately exclude 88.2 ?? <br />

    <br />

    Mike<br />

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    Hi Mike - I gave ASUS some info late last night/early this morning and I received a response saying 88.2 and 176.4 should be supported in the final release version of the software I received :~) This is looking very good.

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    Being a newbe I'm a bit confused about what sample rates are available via USB. I had thought that USB DACs such as the Ayre and Wavelength have so far been limited to 24/96 and I had the impression this was a USB limitation. From what Dave is saying I'm misunderstood. So, what exactly is the limitation on sample rate via USB and is there a difference between the Mac and PC platforms? <br />

    <br />

    Thanks v. much.

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    Dave/Chris, are the Cary products using Async USB input?

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    Rfarris1,<br />

    <br />

    The limit is not with USB but with the Windows native drivers. If someone wants to write the driver then they can use higher sampling rates. Currently there are drivers in MAC but not yet Windows 7. I read Wavelength is working on a solution for this

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    Not sure if it is async, but according to Billy Wright they have written the drivers for Windows to support 196/24 via USB. In the end, for me at least, how it sounds trumps the choice of interface.

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    I am pretty sure that high resolution files (24 bit and 88.2,96, or higher sampling rates) are currently used, and have been in use, for most titles remastered in 1996 or later. These titles would include tons of classic rock, and jazz, and these titles are archived at higher resolution now. Additionally, anything released as SACD is likely archived in DSD, which converts quite transparently to high res PCM if done properly. Of course some of these remastered files come from original digital sources that may be 16-20 bit and 44.1-48 kHz sampling rates (mostly music recorded digitally in the early days of CD, mid 80s to first half of the 90s) and will not be much improved by the upsampling, too bad for all you late 80s rock fans. The good news, is that stuff recorded earlier than the mid 80s was analog, so as long as the tapes were handled well, the high res archives contain remasters from the original analog master tapes.<br />

    The bottom line is that there is a ton of music (rock, pop, and jazz) already archived in high resolution available for distribution, and if the record companies can perceive a way to make money off of this it will happen. <br />

    To me, high resolution is the great promise of computer based playback, and hopefully, the more people that get going with computer based systems the more potential demand there will be for high res music distribution (by download, or perhaps uncompressed files sold on DVD discs, like HRx). Ultimately, the record companies need to get over their fear of sharing and copying, as we know, every format, no matter how well "copy protected" (including SACD/DSD) can be hacked and end up as uncompressed files on our hard drives.

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    Understood Dave,<br />

    <br />

    However, virtually every DAC which has multiple inputs, sounds worse from the USB input than SPDIF when USB has the potential to sound better.

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    Not sure I can agree as I have not heard virtually 'every' DAC, so I am not sure how to respond. I have heard here (in my own system) the following DAC/CD players when mated to my Mac: Cary 306 Professional, Playback MPS-5, Bel Canto DAC3, Redwine Issabellina, Neko Audio D100, Mhdt Labs Havana USB DAC, and the Ayre QB9. All these either feature different USB implementations and/or a S/PDIF input. And yes I have preferred one form of input over another based on how the designer went about it Of course in the end you are not listening to just the input (USB, S/PDIF, etc), but the whole DAC - input choice, power supply, digital, analog, etc. so how the input influences the sound is hard to decipher unless the DAC has multiple options to compare.<br />

    On the MPS-5, the USB is not competitive with the S/PDIF, but Andreas and Jonathan will admit as much. On the Ayre, USB is the only option and the DAC is quite wonderful. Is async the way to go? Is the wonderful sound a result of async? No way to know as they do not offer a non-async USB input so one can hear the differences - now that would be cool...

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