{"id":51126,"date":"2018-02-19T13:22:22","date_gmt":"2018-02-19T18:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=51126"},"modified":"2018-02-19T13:23:28","modified_gmt":"2018-02-19T18:23:28","slug":"toronto-audiophile-standouts-in-high-end-audio-from-the-consumer-electronics-show-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2018\/02\/19\/toronto-audiophile-standouts-in-high-end-audio-from-the-consumer-electronics-show-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"TORONTO AUDIOPHILE | Standouts From The Consumer Electronics Show 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held annually in Las Vegas is very large, ungainly and expensive to attend. The effect of the trade-only show on high-end audio has fallen over the past 20 years from the most important show to least. This year at the very pricey Venetian Hotel, the high-end audio participants were housed on one floor. That said, there were a few standouts that our readers may find of interest.<\/p>\n

Many CES non-audiophile exhibitors demonstrate prototypes, most of which never come to market or fail in quick succession. CES is always about the next best thing. 2018 was the year of the \u2018digital\u2019 assistant (Amazon\u2019s Alexa, Google Assistant) and what looked to be an army of robots.<\/p>\n

High-end audio is getting much better at tracking trends in mainstream audio and making quick decisions in manufacturing and design to bring the latest trends<\/a> into the audiophile world.<\/p>\n

Here are a few components of interest.<\/p>\n

\"Sonos
Sonos Play:1 Compact Wireless Speaker for Streaming Music<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SONOS<\/a> just released the new PLAY:1, now with Alexa support and with Google Assistant coming soon. \u2018Hey Google, play the highest rated Brahms 2nd Symphony\u2019. Could be fun for couch potatoes. And unlike the just-released Apple HomePod which only natively supports Apple Music, SONOS supports all the major streaming players such as Spotify, TidalHiFi, Deezer, etc. CAD$249.00 each. They can be purchased in a pair for a discounted price and matched via the app as a stereo set.<\/p>\n

\"Kanto
Kanto Audio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kanto Audio<\/a>, a direct (Canadian) competitor to the very popular Audioengine series of powered loudspeakers, debuted its YU Series. The most powerful of the bookshelf speakers, the YU6s, offer a very sleek design and all the onboard power you\u2019ll need. More plug & play for a reasonable price and from a Canadian company. CAD$499.00\/pair.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Pro-Ject JukeBox E Audiophile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pro-Ject Audio<\/a> continues to produce a very wide range of turntables from inexpensive starter \u2018tables to very expensive audiophile benchmark units. A couple of units were new to the Pro-ject range.<\/p>\n

The Pro-Ject JukeBox E Audiophile \u201cAll-in-one Plug & Play\u201c turntable system + BT + line is very easily set up. Pro-ject says: Juke Box E is record player, phono stage, Bluetooth receiver, line pre-amplifier and power amplifier in one, requiring only a pair of speakers to make a complete system. If you thought that a starter turntable system is complicated to set up, Juke Box E proves the contrary. This good sounding belt-drive deck offers the fastest possible installation process because it comes pre-adjusted out of the box and offers superb sound quality. Tracking force and anti-skating of the turntable section are carefully pre-set. An acrylic dust cover is included. The \u201cAll-in-one turntable system\u201d is available in high-gloss black, red or white colour.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Plug in your speakers and you\u2019re all set. CAD$699.00<\/p>\n