Consumer Electronics Show 2007 Pre-Show News Report

Rotel will introduce at the International CES 2007 show their new RDV-1093 DVD player ($1499). The units plays DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, and has a built-in scaler and HDMI output. Other disc formats is can handle are DVD-R and DVD-RW, SVCD, JPEG photo, CDs, and CD-R/RW including those encoded with MP3 and WMA music files. Internally, a switching power supply with an advanced pulse circuit and individually regulated supply stages generate optimal voltages. Critical audio and video D/A converters are all wideband designs. For more advanced installations, the RDV-1093 also features an RS-232 interface and discrete IR commands.

 

PrimaLuna will features their new DiaLogue One and DiaLogue Two (pictured) integrated tube amplifiers ($2199 and $2499 respectively). All PrimaLuna amplifiers are equipped with SoftStart circuitry and advanced conservative design to prevent shorts plus extend the life of all critical components. Premium parts include ceramic tube sockets, Nichicon & Realcap capacitors, WBT-style speaker terminals, ALPS volume control and gold-plated input jacks. Both units can be ordered with an optional phonostage. The DiaLogue One can operate in either triode or ultralinear mode (switchable) and produces 18 or 36 watts respectively from a pair per channel of EL34 output tubes. PrimaLuna's DiaLogue Two uses Solen capacitors and fast recovery diodes in the power supply, and a pair of KT88 output tubes with switchable operation to produce either 21 or 38 watts. Both units have multiple stereo inputs, stereo output, and home theater pass-thru.

 

The 2007 International CES Elite Audio Video Distribution will have Muse electronics, Kuzma, Plinus, and many others. Muse is going to premier their new player Erato II, a high performance video player, plus their Muse 200 amplifier mated to Nola Viper IIA loudspeakers. Also at the show will be a system consisting of the Kuzma XL turntable (pictured) with a Kuzma Airline arm and a London Decca cartridge, Plinius Electronics including the new Koru phono section and the new HT-301 Custom installation amplifier. Loudspeakers will be ESS 500 from Germany. Hannl record cleaning machines will be on display as will the Nola Viper Reference loudspeaker in new Rosewood Piano Gloss finish. See our review of the Kuzma STABI Reference turntable with Graham 2.2 tonearm by clicking here.

 

We will spill the beans as high-end audio manufacturer Parasound is said to show their "rumored" Parasound JC 2 audio preamplifier designed by John Curl and the CTC Builders. For many years John Curl and CTC Builders has offered some very highly received and critically acclaimed amplification units. Of course you heard the "rumor" here first!  Look for our live coverage to tell all! We reviewed the excellent Parasound Halo JC 1 monoblock amplifiers, click here to see it.

 

Dynaudio will unveil their Multimedia Components (MC) line of loudspeakers. The first Dynaudio Multimedia product is the MC 15 ($1299 per pair), a compact active loudspeaker designed to accompany PCs, video game consoles or MP3-players. A matching multimedia subwoofer, the Dynaudio Sub 250 MC ($1000), will also be unveiled at CES and be on active display. The small MC-15 two-way design uses an Esotec 1.1-inch soft dome tweeter and 5.9-inch magnesium silicate polymer (MSP) diaphragm midrange/woofer with 3-inch aluminum voice coil. Frequency range is from 55Hz to 21kHz and it has a very low 85dB/W/m sensitivity. Dimensions are 6.7 x 10.2 x 9.3 (WxDxH in inches) and it weighs 15 lbs. A review of the Dynaudio Confidence C2 loudspeaker can be seen by clicking here.

 

Marten has provided us a sneak peak of the world premier of their Bird ($29,700) loudspeaker. Made in Sweden, the Bird is the latest and greatest model that completes the Heritage series from Marten and incorporates unique ceramic drivers and a custom-made 26mm diamond tweeter. The main drivers use ceramic membranes (Corundum) with the hardness of Sapphire due to their cone rigidity and hardness. This 3-way ported design uses a 1-inch tweeter and a pair of both 7-inch and 9-inch drivers. Frequency response is from 28Hz to 45kHz (+-3dB) and has a sensitivity of 89dB/W/m. Dimensions are 11 x 45.6 x 18.1 (WxHxD in inches) and overall weight is 104 lbs. Marten's Bird is delivered in an exclusive piano lacquer finish plus available is Walnut, Cherry, Maple or Black.

 

Sony will be showing their latest Blu-ray, model BDP-S1 ($999), player that handles the company's newest generation disc format while leaving out the company's proprietary SACD format. The unit plays back full 1080p high-definition video and various surround-sound formats including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and dtsR-HD. It does not play HDCD, DVD-Audio, or SACD audio formats. It does offer HDMIT, component video (Y/Pb/Pr), S-Video, and composite video output. Audio output is via digital (optical and coax) while analog outs include 5.1 channel and stereo. Sony's BDP-S1 handles 5-inch digital data discs including BD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD +R/RW, DVD -R/RW, AVC-HD, and MP3/JPEG from DVD formats. Planned firmware upgrade in 2007 will allow for compatibility with most BD R/RE discs. The unit is not backward compatible with CDs (CD-ROMSs/CD-R/CD-RW, or the CD layer of hybrid SACD/DVD-Audio discs, VCDs/Super VCDs, DVD audio discs, Super Audio CDs, DVD-RAMs, or HD DVDs. Also, note that some DVD-RWs/DVD-Rs cannot be played on this player due to the recording quality or physical condition of the disc, or the characteristics of the recording device and authoring software.

 

Mystère will be shown at the 2007 CES with Sumiko Audio, with products consisting of their IA11 and IA21 and perhaps pre-production versions of the CA11 and CA21 preamplifiers plus PA11 and PA21 stereo amplifiers. Mystère and Prima-Luna, while closely related, attempt to get the maximum result out of two given design ideas, resulting in two different looking and sounding lines. Their local market-testing has revealed that both get positive consumer rating, with some preferring PrimaLuna and others preferring Mystère. Both brands use Adaptive Auto Bias System for ease of use.

 

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