Happy 2014 to the CA readers around the world! CES starts Tuesday January 7, 2014 and runs through Friday the 10th. As usually there will be thousands of new products announced at the show. I'll be covering as much of the event as possible, focussing Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday on the high performance audio sections and Friday focussing on the main convention center where all the computer related products and mainstream consumer electronics are on display.
It's easy to get jaded after attending several audio and electronics shows, as evidenced by many writers complaining about the lines, the bad sound, the "hassle" of running from hotel to hotel, etc… However, we shouldn't forget these are first world "problems" that many people would love to experience. I'm looking forward to CES more than ever. I love technology, audio, music, computers, and the amalgamation of all of it into the next phase of high end computer audio. This is a major reason I got into the business. I live for this stuff. In November 2007 when I launched Computer Audiophile I dreamed of covering CES and writing about new products. I look forward to living this dream once again in a few days.
Without further ado, here is a list of some products I'm looking forward to seeing at CES this year.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
AURALiC
(From Auralic) AURALiC Introduces Wireless Streaming Solution That Supports DSD, Double-Rate DSD, DXD & USB Output to DACs. The Lightning is based on AURALiC's proprietary Telsa hardware platform. The new platform includes a quad-core ARM Coretex-A9 processor running at 1GHz, 2GB DDR3 onboard Memory, and dual-band 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi infrastructure. The brand-new Telsa platform enables a 25,000 MIPS calculating capability compared to 1,000 MIPS for AURALiC's previous platform, named Sanctuary.
ARIES, the first product in the Lightning family, serves as a bridge between music on network storage and DACs, enabling DACs to stream music quickly and superbly via Wi-Fi in virtually any format, including DSD, double-rate DSD and DXD. ARIES includes a switchable USB host output; digital AES/EBU, coaxial and Toslink connections driven by AURALiC's patented ActiveUSB technology; and an extremely accurate Femto Master Clock.
ARIES will be available in May 2014 at suggested prices starting at $999 (MSRP).
AURALiC products at the Venetian Hotel, Suite 30-212, during CES.
Naim
(From Naim) Naim We’ll be unveiling something special at CES Las Vegas in January 2014. Until then, here’s an early glimpse of what to expect.
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Aurender
(From TV Logic) The long awaited new model, the Aurender X100, will be launched at the 2014 International CES. The X100 comes in two models the X100L with 6TB of storage and the X100S with 1TB. The US retail prices are expected to be $3,499 for the X100L and $2,999 for the X100S.
The X100 and other Aurender products will be on display at the Venetian Hotels in Suites 29-228 and 29-230.
QNAP
(From QNAP)
HS-210 - Silent NAS: A revolutionary fanless NAS, quiet for living room environment.
TS-x70 Pro - with real-time and smooth multimedia transcoding capabilities.
Chord Electronics
(From Chord) The new Hugo from Chord Electronics offers studio-master-tape sound quality, advanced connectivity and uncompromising file playback capability, all from a palm-sized player. Hugo is the world's most advanced headphone amp/DAC, offering five digital inputs including A2DP aptX Bluetooth, plus advanced 384kHz PCM and DSD 128 playback for today's high-resolution DXD (Digital eXtreme Definition) music files.
Hugo has two 3.5mm headphone jacks, one 1/4" headphone jack and one RCA phono output, and uses small, lightweight batteries good for 14 hours of continuous operation. Available in black and silver finishes. US retail price $2,395.
Pass Laboratories
(From Pass Labs) Introducing the X.8 Series - Pass celebrates its twenty-second year by presenting the best amplifiers we have ever made. If you have heard the qualities of the highly acclaimed Xs series of amplifiers you will have had taste of what we offer here amplifiers that bridge the gap between measured performance and subjective experience. Amplifiers that invite you into the music.
EMM Labs
EMM will show the new and long awaited MTRX Amps at Venetian Tower, 30th Floor Suite 30-308 and Suite 30-310.
LH Labs
(From LH Labs) LH Labs, a division of California based Light Harmonic, will feature their newest consumer electronic product, “Geek Out” in the iLounge of the Las Vegas Convention Center during the 2014 International CES. “Geek Out” is up to 25 times more powerful than a computer headphone jack, and will play super high resolution audio, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit, decodes DSD and DSD2 (DSD64/128) audio natively and has two 3.5mm output headphone jacks. It comes in three different models; “Geek Out” - 450mW power output ($199), “Geek Out M” - 720mW power output ($249), and “Geek Out EM” - 1000mW power output ($299), and is available in four different colors, Diamond Black, Chalice Silver, Cobalt Blue and Vivid Red.
Light Harmonic will also be representing its flagship product, Da Vinci Dual DAC, ($31,000) featured in the high-performance category, taking place at the Venetian during the International CES.
Hi-Res Audio Experience
(From CEA) Comprised of three dynamic panel sessions, the track will feature leading experts across the consumer electronics and music industries who will discuss the latest developments in hi-res audio.
Welcome to the Hi-Res Music World, 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, January 7
An inside look at the opportunities and challenges associated with licensing and distributing hi-res recordings; new ways to ingest and archive digital assets; plus the marketing and promotion of these titles.
Moderator: Alex Pham, Senior Correspondent, Billboard Magazine
Panelists:
Mark Piibe, EVP, Global Business Development, Sony Music Entertainment
Jim Belcher, VP, Technology and Production, Universal Music Group
Norman Chesky, Co-Founder and President, HD Tracks
Chad Kassem, Founder and CEO, Acoustic Sounds
Cookie Marenco, Founder, Blue Coast Music
Mark Waldrep, Founder and President, iTrax.com
C. Jared Sacks, Managing Director, Native DSD Music
Meet the Hi-Res Music Creators, 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, January 7
Leading experts will discuss the music creative process, the benefits of recording, mixing and mastering in hi-res audio; their most recent hi-res projects; key characteristics of each hi-res format; and utilizing meta data to enhance the overall music experience.
Moderator: Mike Mettler, Founder and Editorial Director, The Sound Bard
Panelists:
Elliot Scheiner, Producer, Mixer and Engineer, ELS Surround
Allen Sides, Engineer and Producer, Ocean Way Recording
John Newton, Founder and President, Soundmirror, Inc.
C. Jared Sacks, Producer and Engineer, Channel Classics
David Chesky, Composer, Musician and Producer, Chesky Records
Cookie Marenco, Founder and Executive Producer, Blue Coast Records
Mark Waldrep, Recording and Mastering Engineer, AIX Records
Hi-Res Audio for Every Lifestyle, 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, January 8
Examining the variety of hi-res devices that are available today and the challenges related to marketing and promoting these products, including how to demonstrate hi-res audio at retail; different options for bringing hi-res music files into the home; and the best ways to educate and engage young music enthusiasts.
Moderator: Joe Palenchar, Senior Editor, TWICE
Panelists:
Steve Silberman, VP, Development, AudioQuest
David J. Steven, Managing Director, dCS Ltd.
Paul Wasek, National Marketing and Product Planning Manager, Onkyo USA
Owen Kwon, VP, Business Development, iRiver Inc.
Aaron Levine, Product Marketing Manager, Sony Electronics
Michal Jurewicz, President, Mytek Digital
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