LATEST ADDITIONS

Not really, but two new power conditioners from PS Audio could keep your electricity from being at fault when it comes to better sound and picture. Sure, you might think AC is just AC, but if you’ve ever been to my house you’d know that minor fluctuations (not to mention major ones) can do some insidious things to electronics gear. PS Audio’s PowerPlay conditioners clean up your power company’s act – and they also are fully configurable, programmable, and controllable over the Internet. The web interface can show you cool stuff like the fluctuations in voltage and noise in the current. They can also let you know of unfortunate electrical goings-on in your home if you’re away. Ideal for the installer crowd here is the fact that the installer can also be notified of problems that might be fixed by accessing the PowerPlay conditioner over the web – instead of making a long, gas guzzling service call. Plan on spending $2,000 or $1,000, and then maybe another $1,000 for the controllable UPS. Shockingly expensive, you say? Not if you consider the sonic and visual benefits plus the long-term reliability and security aspects. I used to dismiss power conditioning as voodoo, but now that I’ve seen how a bad electric mojo can mess with your stuff I’m a believer.

Sony's other projector intro at CEDIA is the VPL-VW70, which will list for $8000. It offers panel alignment and anamorphic zoom, and it is said to exhibit a dynamic contrast ratio of 60,000:1.

Looking at this flat panel edge-on, you'd think it's an OLED, but it's actually an LCD TV that measures only 9.9mm thick. The light source is a set of white LEDs placed along the edge of the screen, so there is no local dimming. Like most of Sony's upscale LCDs, this one offers 120Hz frame interpolation, a wide color gamut, and Bravia Link. The off-axis performance I saw was amazing.

Standing next to the Devin Zell is the CLX. Introduced just a few months ago to great fanfare (and apparently a great meal at<i>Le Bernardin</i> where chef Eric Ripert is also a Martin Logan fan), the CLX features a "triple stator, double diaphragm, low frequency panel" that means the descent-I subwoofer to the right will only be needed for movies. Yeah, that's right, this baby is definitely reviewable! $20,000 to $30,000 a pair, depending on finish. They're showing it at a nearby hotel, so I'll try to check it out on Saturday.