I've been looking forward to this year's CES for some time as there have been several significant technology and market changes in the last year, and I was eager to see how hi-end audio has responded. Based on the show reports, hi-end audio is still chasing that elusive audio nirvana through technologies at least 20 years old (release of CD) and with architectures that are even older (analog source, preamp, amp, speakers). New HD disk formats became available in the last year that support delivery of 8 channels of 24-bit, 192 kHz digital audio. Windows Vista will support audio of at least that resolution as well as providing methods for routing that content on home networks. The overwhelming success of the iPod has clearly demonstrated that consumers crave convenience and portability in their entertainment. Where are the DACs with HDMI or even firewire or ethernet connections? These DACs could easily also integrate sophisticated DSP from vendors such as Audyssey. Why convert to analog at all? Class D amps have evolved to the point where very high quality amplification can be integrated into the speaker enclosure (e.g. Sonicweld). I feel that, by not embracing these new technologies, hi-end is missing a tremendous opportunity to offer new hardware that can deliver truly state-of-the-art performance.
I've been looking forward to this year's CES for some time as there have been several significant technology and market changes in the last year, and I was eager to see how hi-end audio has responded. Based on the show reports, hi-end audio is still chasing that elusive audio nirvana through technologies at least 20 years old (release of CD) and with architectures that are even older (analog source, preamp, amp, speakers). New HD disk formats became available in the last year that support delivery of 8 channels of 24-bit, 192 kHz digital audio. Windows Vista will support audio of at least that resolution as well as providing methods for routing that content on home networks. The overwhelming success of the iPod has clearly demonstrated that consumers crave convenience and portability in their entertainment. Where are the DACs with HDMI or even firewire or ethernet connections? These DACs could easily also integrate sophisticated DSP from vendors such as Audyssey. Why convert to analog at all? Class D amps have evolved to the point where very high quality amplification can be integrated into the speaker enclosure (e.g. Sonicweld). I feel that, by not embracing these new technologies, hi-end is missing a tremendous opportunity to offer new hardware that can deliver truly state-of-the-art performance.