CES 2006

Here's Where To Stick Your iPod

Stephen Mejias/Jon Iverson  |  Jan 5, 2006

Continuing our mission to find some good-sounding, small loudspeakers, we wandered on over to the Margules Audio room, where I spotted some cute, little guys hanging out in the corner. Unfortunately, they weren't hooked up to anything that actually plays music. Only the larger speakers were prepared to rock, and after my time with the Piazettas, I really wasn't interested.

However, our attention was immediately taken by an intriguing new piece, Margules' prototype i-Fi, "an iPod high-end interface," which is scheduled to be available in about six months and will retail for somewhere between $600 and $900.

The thing seemed simple enough: you stick your iPod in there and let it play.

COMMENTS
TEvo's picture
Submitted by TEvo (not verified) on January 5, 2006 - 9:00pm

Someone needs to calculate how many iPods and/or iPod Nanos would be equivalent in weight to that beefy looking kit...or not.

c whit's picture
Submitted by c whit (not verified) on January 5, 2006 - 9:00pm

Steve Jobs must be laughing his a** off. I bet he had no idea that his little 21st Century Walkman would be so accepted by the high end audio community.

Stephen Mejias's picture
Submitted by Stephen Mejias (not verified) on January 5, 2006 - 9:00pm

>Steve Jobs must be laughing his a** off. I bet he had no idea that his little 21st Century Walkman would be so accepted by the high end audio community. Just as last year, many industry people are praising the iPod as the bridge between casual listeners and hi-fi enthusiasts. I'd like to believe this, and to some degree, I do. It is a bridge.But there's something else - besides music - that drives the iPod craze. It has to do with style. The iPod isn't only about listening to music; it's a fashion statement. I'm convinced that a certain number of people who own them, own them as fashion accessories. Nothing much more than a belt or a pocketbook. I don't mean to be grim. I'm just saying.

ez's picture
Submitted by ez (not verified) on January 5, 2006 - 9:00pm

The iPod is a bridge between the casual and mid-fi. Slim Devices' SqueezeBox is a bridge between the listener and hi-fi. Why Stereophile doesn't review it is a mystery to me, and many others.

Jim's picture
Submitted by Jim (not verified) on January 5, 2006 - 9:00pm

The iPod has brought back music. As a high-ender, as many of you are, it's sound isn't perfect (like the early days of CD tried to have believe), but it decent and portable. It does have a cool factor, but its total integration and ease of use truly are its strongest points. Like all Apple products, it is well engineered to just work.

Ward's picture
Submitted by Ward (not verified) on January 5, 2006 - 9:00pm

Well, Stereophile has reviewed the Airport Express, and a few USB DACs, which serve much the same purpose as the SqueezeBox (i.e. using a hard drive instead of a CD transport).

FPGS's picture
Submitted by FPGS (not verified) on January 12, 2006 - 3:40pm

iPod is all about content. You can have any and all the music you like with you at all times.Of course with compression there is a compromise.It's about time someone did a product to brung that content into a High End environment.I heard it at CES and I'm still trying to get my jaw back where it belongs.This is the first time I've heard an iPod actually sound good enough to deserve serious listening through good electronics and speakers.I can't wait for a second listen, and I'll bring my check book next time.

Thomas's picture
Submitted by Thomas (not verified) on January 23, 2006 - 10:04pm

Excellent idea, a High End interface to the most ubicuous player that its around. Forget about SACD and DVD-A, they are not for the masses, but anyone can enjoy the music from their iPod's in a magnificent High End stereo system with this device. I want it now!

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