Cocktail had their new brawnier and refined X-50 server/player on hand. And I'm comparing it to the previous X-30 model, which I'd seen at previous shows. The new X-50 feels much heavier and looks built to kill in a solid black case. On the front is a similar layout to the X-30, with a CD slot on the left and a slightly larger color display on the right.

In response to requests for a more affordable cable that's truly high end, High Fidelity Cable founder Rick Schultz has introduced the company's entry-level Reveal interconnect ($699/1m pair) and speaker cable ($1399/2m pair).

Musical Surroundings' impressive setup included the new entry-level Rockport Atria II loudspeaker ($26,500/pair)…

Naim Audio first displayed their monolithic flagship Statement amplification system at the 2014 CES; this year it was present in a static display…

At CES 2017, Japanese manufacturer A&M Ltd. announced the expansion of their Air Tight amplifier line with the ATM-3211 all-triode, 120W monoblock ($72,000/pair).

Dennis Bonotto, new International Sales Manager for Nordost, joined the company's Michael Taylor to introduce Nordost's new top USB cable, the Valhalla 2 USB ($3500/1m)…

A 2017 CES Innovation Awards honoree, the HiVi Swan MS-10 ($4000 per pair) is a wireless active stereo system that resembles no loudspeaker that I've seen. (I kept thinking that it looks like one of those "ergonomic" office chairs.)

CES 2017 was the occasion for the North American debut of Dynaudio's Contour series of loudspeakers. There are four models in this range, all manufactured at Dynaudio's newly expanded R&D and manufacturing facility in Skanderborg, Denmark.

Based in the Czech Republic, Acoustique Quality is a highly sophisticated loudspeaker design and manufacturing facility that uses the latest technologies, including 3D modeling, five-axis machining, high-precision cutter saws, etc.

The CES 2017 demo of the TAD Micro Evolution One ($12,495/pair)—shown here with Jonathan Derda of MoFi Distribution, the importer—provided convincing proof of the engineering skill of TAD's current Japanese designers. The sound (with all TAD electronics) was simply superb…