CES 2010

Following the successful introduction of their high-end Zeppelin iPod speaker system, B & W has entered the sound bar market with a higher end model, the Panorama. Few details were available, although it is a powered sound bar with 5 source inputs including 2 optical and 1 coaxial digital input. Price is $2200. B & W also says it does not require a subwoofer and has enough bass to fill most rooms. We'll see.

Last year, Wadia Digital introduced the 170 ITransport, a high-resolution audiophile iPod dock for playback on high-end A/V systems. A new companion piece is the 151 Digital Amp, which creates a miniature 2-channel system for listening to not only your iPod but other stereo sources as well. The 151 has 2 coax and one optical input, along with a USB port (for flash drives). The high-end DACs (which is what WADIA is well known for) coupled with the build-in 50 watt amp, creates a compelling high-end system that doesn't cost a lot (by audiophile standards) or take up much space. The iTransport sells for $379. The price for the 151 Digital Amp was not disclosed but would definitely be under $1K.

German speaker manufacturer Canton Electronics is showing the DM70, a 2.1-channel integrated system that incorporates a built-in amplifier and a powered subwoofer and is designed to be placed beneath a flat-panel television on a shelf or credenza. This innovative system presented a very convincing simulation of a full multichannel speaker system using Virtual Surround Sound and will likely appeal to many who don't want or have room for rear channel speakers. Looking at the photo it is difficult to believe that the DM70 has a 300-watt amp and a 3-way bass reflex speaker system and a subwoofer in such a small footprint. The DM70 is supplied with a remote control. Pricing is not finalized but is expected to be about $1500. For those not familiar with Canton speakers, read my recent <A href="http://ultimateavmag.com/speakersystems/canton_gle_speaker_system">review </A>of the very affordable Canton GLE speaker system.

Las Vegas is very visually deceiving. Buildings, signs and objects are so large in Las Vegas they appear much closer than they really are. Case in point: The Las Vegas Hilton is next door to the LV Convention Center, but walking from one to the other can take 20-30 minutes or more . Last night I attended an event at the Wynn, which is next door to the Venetian. A friend suggested we walk rather than drive. After convincing him that was a mistake, we drove from one parking garage to the other and the distance turned out to be more than 1/2 mile. I have nothing against a good walk except when carrying my laptop computer and the tons of literature collected at the show. Gotta go, it's time to walk the convention floor, which is over 1.5 million square feet! Despite the saying that "Everything is bigger in Texas", the Lone Star state has nothing over Las Vegas.

During CES they commission pretty much every large vehicle they can find to shuttle attendees from one venue to another. Vegas has purchased some very old double decker buses from England and put them into service as tour buses. Here we are outside the Sands/Venetian Convention Center and heading out to the main Las Vegas Convention Center. How many Convention Center's does one city need?