For various reasons all centering around the global economic condition, this years CES, was especially enlightening.

On the long and tedious flight starting from Newark’s Liberty Int’l Airport, my thoughts were who the exhibitors were going to be and how many of them were going to show up this year.
That duly noted, it was a pleasure to see as many exhibitors large and small as I did representing their respective brands. Many manufactures and distributors I spoke with were encouraged by the number of people attending this year’s event. I also was mindful of the positive spin one needs to prod consumers into thinking all is well (when life throws you lemons, make lemonade).

CP and I got remarkable rates this year at the Bellagio which made it easier for us to commute to venues of the CES.
Let’s start my commentary on The S.H.O.W at Alexis Park. What a sight. The loss in attendance since CES officially moved to the Venetian made me wonder if the remaining exhibitors cared about their isolation or do they just want to mingle with each other and serve wine and cheese. The small traffic consisted mostly of the audio press. The good thing that came out of this was that each room we entered an empty listening seat - the bad news was when we left the room went right back to empty.

 

The Evolution acoustics room, whose products are engineered and hand crafted in the USA,
demonstrated synergy between their Mini Two loudspeaker ($40k), dartZeel 200 watt integrated amplifier ($22k) and Playback Designs CD player ($15k). For me, the sound was natural sounding and inviting with plenty of harmonic rightness. A definite candidate for best sound.

 
The Virtue Audio room was showing their $349 Virtue One Class-T amp powering Clair Audient loudspeakers. The overall performance coming from this 30-watter was surprisingly musical and of true high-end quality. This young company has bright future with its introduction of book size amplifiers.

 

Magnepan’s room hosted an unusual loudspeaker demonstration that was the equivalent of a blind listening test. The demonstration consisted of listening to an unnamed Maggie loudspeaker behind a curtain wall with only the loudspeakers hidden. About three tracks of different types of music were played (Jazz, Classical and a female voice). A short discussion of sonic impressions started before the curtain was opened to reveal the loudspeakers (and let me be the first to say NO ONE GUESSED CORRECTLY). The jazz intro featured a drum solo that was engaging and as dynamic, wall to wall and powerful as I've ever heard from a Maggie loudspeaker. Let me mention, I've owned many.

I had to pick my jaw up from the floor when I witnessed what actually produced that remarkable sound (which BTW, was powered by mega-watt Bryson amps). The smallest Maggie loudspeakers I've ever seen that were no bigger than an album cover!

The sad part about the S.H.O.W was many of the rooms were sonically splendid sounding, which I think the Alexis Park is known for, but with practically no attendance or participation from the thousands of CES attendees, it didn't seem to matter. So sad.