CES 2004 Show Report: Part One
 Finding
affordable audio gear at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas can be a
difficult task. The proportionately few specialty audio exhibiters usually try to outdo
one another by showing their most outrageous -- and most insanely expensive -- products.
However, many companies do display reasonably priced components, and the GoodSound!
coverage team managed to find some worthy of your attention.
The most remarkable display of high-value audio gear at
this year’s CES had to be from Cambridge Audio, who featured their new Azur line of
electronics. The remote-controlled, 50Wpc 540A integrated amplifier and 540C CD player,
with 24-bit/192kHz Wolfson DACs, retail for an amazingly low $379 USD each. The upgraded,
65Wpc 640A integrated and matching 640C CD player are available for a still very
reasonable $529 each.
There was also the Cambridge Audio 540R ($699), an 80Wpc,
6.1-channel receiver with Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, Pro Logic II, and component-video
switching -- as well as the 540D DVD-Audio player, at an almost unbelievably low $379.
Cambridge Audio’s new product line was rounded out by: a slimline DVD receiver that
wasn’t displayed, but will soon be available as part of a "lifestyle"
system ($799 including speakers); two AM/FM tuners, including one that’s DAB (Digital
Audio Broadcasting) capable ($299 and $479, respectively); and an optional phono section
($60) for the 540A and 640A integrated amps. All of the Cambridge components feature
"low-resonance, acoustically damped chassis" and large, impressive-looking
remotes, and are available in black or silver finishes.
Cambridge Audio Azur 540A integrated amplifier
Cambridge Audio Azur 540R receiver
JoLida JD 402 tuner
Hsu VT-12 satellite speaker
Hsu VT-12 center-channel speaker
Gallo Acoustics Nucleus Micro speakers and TR-1
subwoofer
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Another impressive display of high-quality budget
components was from Music Hall, who import and distribute lines of affordable electronics
from Creek and Shanling. Epos loudspeakers, also distributed by Music Hall, showed the new
M5 two-way bookshelf ($650/pair) and the matching M8 center-channel ($600 each). The
handsome Music Hall CD-25 CD player, with HDCD decoding, looked to be extremely
well-constructed for a $600 player, with a thick, attractive faceplate and handsome
brushed-aluminum finish.
For tube fans, Antique Sound Labs displayed the
single-ended, class-A MG SI 15 DT integrated tube amplifier ($895), which can be switched
from triode to pentode operation to provide 5Wpc or 15Wpc, respectively. Another
manufacturer of high-value tube audio gear, JoLida, displayed their sleek new JD 402 AM/FM
tuner. It has a tube output stage and appears to be very solidly built and nicely finished
for its price of $500. JoLida also showed their impressive-looking JD 100A CD player
($900), which also features a tube output stage, and the JD 707 ($1200), a 40Wpc tubed
integrated amplifier, both with eye-catching styling similar to that of the JD 402 tuner.
For vinyl lovers on tight budgets, Pro-Ject was showing the
Debut II turntable, available in nine different colors and delivered complete with
OM-5E moving-magnet cartridge for $249. Nor were high-value analog sources overlooked --
our sister site SoundStage! presented their year-end Hall of Fame award to the venerable Lehmann Black Cube phono stage.
For many years, the Black Cube has provided vinyl enthusiasts with extremely high-quality
analog sound at a reasonable price. The current SE version of the Cube, with upgraded
power supply, retails for $895.
One of the most-talked-about demos of CES 2004 featured one
of the least-expensive systems at the show. Using an entry-level Onkyo TX-SR501 receiver
and inexpensive KLH KD-1220 DVD player, Hsu Research’s tiny Ventriloquist VT-12
sub-sat speaker system produced remarkable sound. This system’s unique design directs
frequencies below 250Hz away from the left and right front VT-12 speakers, each of which
has a single 2.5" full-range driver, to the larger, two-way, VT-12 center-channel
speaker. The sound of vocals through the Ventriloquist was rich and full-bodied --
two-channel music sounded wonderful. As was to be expected from a system from Hsu
Research, a company known for its subwoofers, the bass on movie soundtracks was simply
amazing, easily filling the listening room with ground-shaking sound effects -- even using
Hsu’s smallest (8") subwoofer. The sound from these tiny, inexpensive speakers
was striking; if we hadn’t known better, we might have guessed that the system cost
several times the Ventriloquist’s ridiculously low asking price of $500.
Another company showing high-value multichannel speaker
systems was Gallo, who were using their new TR-1 100W subwoofer as part of a 5.1-channel
system with their Nucleus Micro speakers, all for a mere $999. Rocket, available from
AV123, displayed two speaker systems of note: their Tyke 5.1 ($499), which features
satellites with extruded-aluminum enclosures; and the ELT 5.1 ($999), which has beautiful
enclosures of cherry-stained birch and uses the same 5.25" alloy woofers as
Rocket’s top-of-the-line RS750 speaker.
Although the large Japanese electronics manufacturers
showed mostly video products and home-theater and lifestyle systems, a few still displayed
some two-channel audio components, such as integrated amplifiers. The most impressive of
these was the Denon PMA-2000MkIV R ($1200), rated at 80Wpc into 8 ohms and 160Wpc into 4
ohms. This massively built model features Denon’s "Ultra High Current MOS single
push-pull circuit" and weighs an astonishing 52 pounds.
Marantz displayed their PM7200 integrated amplifier ($599),
rated at 95Wpc, with 25W of "pure class-A power" and "dual-mono"
construction. For extreme value, it would be difficult to beat TEAC’s Distinction
series, which comprises the C-1D CD player ($249), T-1D AM/FM tuner ($249), and A-1D
integrated amplifier ($349).
At the end of each day of walking the halls of the Las
Vegas Convention Center and the Alexis Park and St. Tropez hotels, the GoodSound!
crew was ready for an appetizing and satisfying dinner. The official SoundStage! Network
meal for CES 2004 may have been the $7.77
steak and shrimp special at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino’s restaurant, Mr.
Lucky’s, but that was a bit extravagant for the GoodSound! crew. I went in
search of the best cheap steak within walking distance of the Strip. The Runner-Up for
Budget Meal of the Show was the $5.95 prime-rib special at the San Remo Hotel, which
consisted of a fairly tender cut of prime rib served with a side of vegetables, potato,
and salad. But the winner had to be the $4.99 off-menu steak special at the Ellis Island
Hotel -- a tasty, tender cut of sirloin (8-10 oz) with a quality side of green beans,
potato, and a salad. I recommend washing it down with one of Ellis Island’s delicious
root beers, reportedly produced at their own brewpub.
Look for more high-value audiophile gear (any maybe some
more dining tips) from CES 2004 in Part Two of our GoodSound! CES show coverage, to
be posted next month.
...Roger Kanno
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