CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Non-Audio Stuff => The Geek Cave: Home Theatre, Computers, and More! => Topic started by: Anaxilus on January 06, 2014, 04:04:26 PM
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Headed to CES/The Show again this year. If anyone has any requests for impressions, let me know.
1/10/2014-Updated list of sampled gear w/ impressions to follow
Hifiman:
802 w/ balanced card
901
HE400i
HE560
HE7?
Jade2?
Nakamichi:
Audio Technica:
Westone:
Beta
Custom shells
Sony:
PCM D100
PHA-2
McIntosh:
MHA100 amp
Headphone-unavailable
Geek Out:
Astell Kern:
AK240
AK120
JHA:
Roxanne
Calyx:
Calyx M
Chord:
Hugo
Kingsound:
New stat prototype
Auralic:
Aries music server
Evolution MMMicro One + Dartzeel Music server
Simplifi Audio-Conference Room D was closed when I got there
Vapor-listed in Conference Room C but was closed as well and was informed Fritz was the only one there by another attendee.
Marten:
Coltrane Supreme S2
MSB:
Transport+DAC
Golden Ear:
Triton Series
Ayre+Vivid Giya G4
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LG:
Flex
Curved OLED
21:9 monitor
Transparent and mirrored glass/monitors
Sony:
4K upscaler
Panasonic:
4K gaming, Final Fantasy
Samsung:
TVs
Keystone
Oculus:
Rift HD, non Crystal Cove
Denso:
Bio Fuel
Security applications
Electrical charging stations
Toyota:
BMW:
Audi:
Alpine:
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I know it's not audio-related but please do try and check out the Oculus Rift booth! They said they'll be showcasing the newest prototype, an impression would be great!
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I already know you're going to work your charm for any info on upcoming Sennheisers. HE-90 replacement rumored to be nearing/not fake, and it seems they're phasing out the HD6x0 and replacing them soon (replacement drivers no longer available from Sennheiser for HD6x0 headphones).
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Oh also, we already know that Hifiman is knees-deep into developing (and possibly finalizing) its next line-up of planar magnetics with new design and lighter weight, and that they are also starting up with electrostats again (Jade 2 basically); an impression of whatever they might be showcasing or at least tease out some new info from them would be cool.
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Headphone Audio:
Chord Hugo
Calyx M
Home Audio at the Flamingo:
Evolution Acoustics/Dartzeel - Mmmicroone speakers with new Dartzeel LHC-208 Integrated Amp/Preamp/DAC/Music Server - Flamingo Room 4040
Simplifi Audio is in Conference Room D at the Flamingo, they usually have some pretty cool stuff.
Vapor is officially listed but I'm not sure they'll actually be there, but if they are they'll be somewhere here.
[size=78%]darTZeel, Kevin Malmgren and Jonathan Tinn from Evolution Acoustics will be playing DJ.[/size][/font]
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What's the price on that Hugo supposed to be anyway?
-Daniel
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Dunno if they'll be there, but those ribbon headphones from RAAL are what I'm most curious about. I know Obravo is going to be there with their ribbon / AMT headphones for sure tho.
And, of course, if there are any new stats from Sennheiser or HiFiman...
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Hugo will be between 1000-1200 GBP.
Check out the A&K Players. I think I'll go Sony, but who knows what kind of crazy shit iriver will be releasing.
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I already know you're going to work your charm for any info on upcoming Sennheisers. HE-90 replacement rumored to be nearing/not fake, and it seems they're phasing out the HD6x0 and replacing them soon (replacement drivers no longer available from Sennheiser for HD6x0 headphones).
If there is any truth to the 6x0 being phased out, can you imagine what the used market will do? People will go nutty with used prices even though there is a plethora of them out there.
If the new KingSound stat is there I'd like to hear if there is any improvement over the first one.
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Auralic will have a prototype of their Lightning network streamer. If it's any good, it could turn computer audio on its head. The price is surprisingly cheap at $999, and it will have the ability to send Asynch USB out to a USB DAC. They are also promising all kinds of stuff including some sort of DSP based room correction.
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The new sensaphonics thing please
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Another request, Marten will be there with their new Coltrane Supreme S2. Should be a hell of a speaker.
(http://stereolife.eu/images/snapshots/audio/MartenColtraneSupreme2.jpg)
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My first thought there was "cool... why did they put lights on a speaker?"
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My first thought there was "cool... why did they put lights on a speaker?"
Lol yeah those aren't lights. It's a new aluminum dome driver that they started using recently, co-developed with Accuton.
(http://www.marten.se/_gfx/gallery/tenor_1.jpg)
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AK240 would be interesting as well. Initial price estimates range from $2400 in the US to equivalent of $3700 in China. It is also a mess as a unit that is supposed to be portable.
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Well since the Hifiman new models are unveiled, initial impressions of them please! popcorn
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My first thought there was "cool... why did they put lights on a speaker?"
Lol yeah those aren't lights. It's a new aluminum dome driver that they started using recently, co-developed with Accuton.
Yeah I figured that was the most likely thing. Either that or some may have been passive radiators.
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Well since the Hifiman new models are unveiled, initial impressions of them please! popcorn
x2
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Could you stop by the Light Harmonic booth to see if they have a prototype PCB of the geek pulse to demo? I backed it so I want to know if it sux :P
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Second AK240. The balls on those guys. I wonder if next year there'll be an AK480 for $5,000. You know because why not?
http://www.whathifi.com/news/astell-kern-unveils-new-ak240-portable-audio-player-at-ces
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Second AK240. The balls on those guys. I wonder if next year there'll be an AK480 for $5,000. You know because why not?
http://www.whathifi.com/news/astell-kern-unveils-new-ak240-portable-audio-player-at-ces
Damnit, if that thing had 512gb I might actually be tempted to buy it.
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$2400? Helllllll no.
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Are the angled sides playing with my eyes... or is that thing actually the size of a brick?
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Are the angled sides playing with my eyes... or is that thing actually the size of a brick?
There's definitely some visual trickery going on.
(http://stat.ameba.jp/user_images/20140107/15/e-earphone/7b/c3/j/o0750050012806704534.jpg)
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Obligatory Orpheus pics. What I like about these display units is their technical savvy. Many other personally owned Orpheus rigs start sounding too romantic and syrupy over time.
(http://i.imgur.com/eqKGMugl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cJ7m0Tvl.jpg)
Blue Mics:
(http://i.imgur.com/EpQnAuZl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/42o0HQpl.jpg)
Stax. New portable amp, portable DAC/amp, and entry level amp. Have to say, the 007 tII is one of the best amps I've ever heard with the 009. Probably the only Stax amp I like they currently make.
(http://i.imgur.com/ArEIOLFl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Wxk6jrTl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UcpbzxWl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LJmj2TQl.jpg)
Nakamichi. Promising entry level bluetooth and ANC headphone. MSRP around $169, street price will be much lower. ANC implementation needs some more work as it's too intrusive, but the sound for a bluetooth phone is some of the best I've heard in this price bracket and then some and I'm not a fan of wireless. Very balanced and clear. Uses latest and greatest APTX 4.0. I would put this up for contention as pirate booty in the $100-$150 range. I did tell Nakamichi they need to consider swivels and perhaps a modular mic for gamers.
(http://i.imgur.com/HL6ydA8l.jpg)
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Stax. New portable amp, portable DAC/amp, and entry level amp. Have to say, the 007 tII is one of the best amps I've ever heard with the 009. Probably the only Stax amp I like they currently make.
(http://i.imgur.com/ArEIOLFl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Wxk6jrTl.jpg)
Nice. Maybe the Edifier takeover and the competition from newcomers is finally pushing Stax to make an effort in the entry level market rather than bust out the 100th edition of the same Lambda & SRM 1 combo.
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I hope the STAX portable DAC/Amp is sold separate from headphones. It would make my hotel rig a little cleaner/smaller. I'm a big enough sucker to try it. :)p2
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Gavin posted that they have the final boards for the geek out. Check out LH if you have time and see if the unit sounds the same as the one you heard at RMAF :)
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Mike, one late edition - Goldenear has the new triton one, and if it performs anything like the hype I may end up getting one for HT. If you get a chance, they are in Venetian 29-131/132. PASS/MSB electronics, but only 5K for a lot of speaker.
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Don't really have any interest in this, but in case anyone else does - mcintosh also has a new headphone at the show. Rebranded Beyer (T5P?) but with a darker sound signature according to their rep.
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I "think" the headphone they have here is a prototype... FWIW
I actually love the look of the McStuff. I could see myself with a room full of it! :P
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Hope it's not too late for this last minute request!!
http://www.pcr-online.biz/index.php/news/read/ces-2014-igrow-helmet-uses-lasers-to-reverse-baldness/032902 (http://www.pcr-online.biz/index.php/news/read/ces-2014-igrow-helmet-uses-lasers-to-reverse-baldness/032902)
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Gavin posted that they have the final boards for the geek out. Check out LH if you have time and see if the unit sounds the same as the one you heard at RMAF :)
Yup, impressions incoming...w/ caveats.
Mike, one late edition - Goldenear has the new triton one, and if it performs anything like the hype I may end up getting one for HT. If you get a chance, they are in Venetian 29-131/132. PASS/MSB electronics, but only 5K for a lot of speaker.
I was not impressed at all tbh. Too much unevenness in the FR and didn't find the surround, spatialization doing anything well. Maybe for movies, but not for music IMO. I don't think you'd be happy w/ it. I might prefer Bose depending....
Don't really have any interest in this, but in case anyone else does - mcintosh also has a new headphone at the show. Rebranded Beyer (T5P?) but with a darker sound signature according to their rep.
It was at the show but not auditionable. Had a good listen to the amp though, more on that tomorrow.
I "think" the headphone they have here is a prototype... FWIW
That is correct.
Hope it's not too late for this last minute request!!
That is also correct. Just drove back. I also don't a have a proper sample so perhaps stick to Rogaine for now? ;p
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Definitive Tech along with Goldean Ear have always been absolute darlings of the audio press. Never lived up to the insane hype IMO.
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First post updated w/ teasers. :&
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Another request, Marten will be there with their new Coltrane Supreme S2. Should be a hell of a speaker.
(http://stereolife.eu/images/snapshots/audio/MartenColtraneSupreme2.jpg)
I know the guy who bought the pair of Supreme 2's that Marten was showing at CES. They are bringing them from Vegas to his house this week. They're only $375K for a pair.
http://marten.se/blog/2014/01/and-finally-the-room/
He also bought all those diffusors in the room too.
It will be interesting to see how they sound because his room is way too bright, especially for those speakers.
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AK480
Hey guess what..
http://www.head-fi.org/t/712487/lightbox/post/10412196/id/1073773