CES Random Note I

<img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/blcnt.jpg" style="padding: 1pt 10pt 7pt 0pt;" align="left"> CES 2008 is over so it's time to parse through my notes and translate my "chicken-scratch" into intelligible sentences for the Computer Audiophile readers. Here is the first Random Note based on information I gathered at CES and T.H.E. Show. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

<strong>Bel Canto:</strong> The e.One DAC3 will not be getting the much anticipated 24 bit / 96 KHz USB update that has been rumored on the internet. (Like most USB products the DAC3 currently supports 16 bit / 44.1 KHz music over USB). Instead Bel Canto has even better news. They are working on an external add-on piece for the DAC3 to allow it to convert 24/96 music. This is great news for those who have purchased the unit already or those looking to purchase it soon. There is no need to hold off indefinitely, buy your DAC3 now. The Bel Canto ULTRA-DOCK, its iPod dock developed in conjunction with Sonic Focus, was on display visually but not sonically. This unit is still pre-production and may undergo many changes prior to its official release. It is my understanding the Wadia iTransport and other music server type products are being watched very closely by Bel Canto and based on reaction to those products BC will adjust accordingly. Bel Canto is focusing much of its energy in 2008 on the DAC3 "addition" and the ULTRA-DOCK. I have a feeling we'll see the DAC3 component first because of the impact the Wadia iTransport is already having on traditional iPod docks. Sure there is a place for high end components like the ULTRA-DOCK that can upscale and refine compressed music coming from a very subpar internal iPod DAC. But Bel Canto would be much better off to go back to the drawing board before releasing this product to work with Apple on getting the digital signal straight from the iPod. One design change I personally would like to see is the option to use a cable to connect an iPod. Limiting the iPod's placement to the vertical top mounted dock really hinders the user's placement options. If a turntable is on top of your rack you are out of luck with this unit, and almost every other dock type component. An optional cable connection method would even allow for iPod design changes that other manufacturers have no control over. When the iPod gets smaller or Apple changes the dock connector it will preposterous to expect consumers to buy a completely new high end component for several thousand dollars. It would be acceptable for consumers to purchase a simple cable with a different iPod connection and the same component connection.

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<a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/ces-day2-high-end-audio-photo-gallery/large-music-ces73.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/ces-day2-high-end-audio-photo-gallery/small-music-ces73.jpg" alt="CES High End Audio Photo Gallery"></a><br />

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<a href="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/ces-day2-high-end-audio-photo-gallery/large-music-ces74.jpg"><img src="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/ces-day2-high-end-audio-photo-gallery/small-music-ces74.jpg" alt="CES High End Audio Photo Gallery"></a><br />

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<IMG SRC="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/bcdac3f.jpg" ALT="DAC3 Front">

<IMG SRC="http://www.computeraudiophile.com/files/bcdac3b.jpg" ALT="DAC3 Back">

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