LATEST ADDITIONS

CES 2011
Arcam AVR500
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010

First announced at CEDIA in September, the AVR500 is a stripped down version of the AVR600 with no preamp outs, no phono input, and two sub outs instead of three. It provides 100Wpc of Class AB power and uses a Pixelworks video processor for $3800.

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CES 2011
Arcam Solo Neo
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010

After five years, Arcam has updated its Solo Music CD/tuner/integrated amp to the Solo Neo by adding a network card with WiFi so you can stream music from your PC. Also available is a USB port for music files on a mass-storage device, all for around $2000.

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CES 2011
Manley Stingray iTube
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010

I profiled this tube-based integrated amp with iPod dock <A href="http://blog.ultimateavmag.com/ultimate-gear/the_ultimate_ipod_accessory/..., but I got to hear it at the Venetian. The amp was driving Gershman Acoustics speakers, and the iPod was playing Ella Fitzgerald in uncompressed WAV files, which sounded fantastic.

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CES 2011
Million-Dollar Stereo
Scott Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010

Swedish speaker maker Perfect8 assembled a 2-channel rig in its Venetian suite that would set you back a cool $1,000,000! Aside from the speakers, which include a pair of Forces and three Cubes with powered subwoofers, the system includes electronics from Ypsilon, an Audio Stone Pythagoras turntable, and ZenSati cables. I heard a recording of cello and pipe organ, which was spectacular—a beautiful, open sound and great bass response. For more on the Perfect8 speakers, <A href="http://blog.ultimateavmag.com/ultimate-gear/eight_is_enough/">click here</A>.

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CES 2010
Yes, It Does
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010
With an ad campaign and slogan like this, you'd never guess that one of the products this company makes is a Touch Pad Digital Bible Reader. No, seriously. (They also make digital media players, digital video recorders, and digital picture frames.)
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CES 2010
They're Not Yolking
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010
The Sound Egg is a complete 5.1 personal surround sound chair with five speakers and an integrated 10-inch subwoofer under the seat. The company says "the chair is a mobile acoustic chamber that will give you the most realistic sound in audio technology with a full 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency spectrum." The Sound Egg chair is available in a variety of colors for $1,450 (shipping included).
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CES 2010
How to Be Picky
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010
From the same booth offering X-ray vision for your cell phone camera. I like the fact that handcuffs are one of the items you'll learn how to pick.
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CES 2010
Your Insurance Won't Pay for these X-rays
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 07, 2010
So, I was just thinking the other day, "If only I had X-ray vision for my cell phone camera."
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CES 2010
B&W Overhauls Famed 800 Speaker Line
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 07, 2010
We hope Bowers & Wilkins will forgive us for using the once ubiquitous acronym B&W – we are old fashioned that way. Any changes in the company's world-beating 800 line, lately known as the Diamond Series, qualifies as major news. The original 13 models have been reduced to 7 ranging in price from $2500 to $24,000. Lineup is what you see here plus two centers not pictured. New stuff includes new crossovers, magnets, gloss black finish, and every model has the cool Diamond tweeter.
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CES 2010
B&W Headphones Are Luxuriously Soft
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 07, 2010
These great-looking headphones have pads made of New Zealand sheepskin. They feel soft to the touch and are said to provide both comfort and isolation. Available this month, price n/a.
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