My thoughts on the recently concluded HES 2007 in NYC

RAF · 05-20-2007, 08:58 PM

I recently attended the Home Entertainment Show (HES) 2007 in New York City and have posted some impressions here.

Please feel free to comment and ask questions if applicable.

I settled on this section, Speakers and Subwoofers, for this thread because the bulk of my discussion involves that topic. I've also provided links in other sections to this thread here so as to avoid duplicate and fragmented posts.

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bobbyg2 · 05-20-2007, 09:13 PM

Are you planning on buying one of those amps from Cinepro?

RAF · 05-20-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyg2

Are you planning on buying one of those amps from Cinepro?

I would love to be able to afford an audio setup in my HT like the one I experienced in NYC. But unless I hit the lottery that's just not in the cards. I'll just have to "get by" with my current equipment - which isn't too shabby. I will add that my new JVC DLA-RS1 FP blows away the SIM unit that they were using in the CINEPRO room - but this demo wasn't about the video. The audio was AMAZING!

Cees Alons · 05-21-2007, 05:11 AM

VERY interesting, Robert. And your remark about the SIM as well (do you happen to know which SIM it was?).

The findings about the non-damaging effect of those impressively loud sounds are remarkable.

Yes, this all makes one realize again that pre-processing and amplifier effects and distortions are generally not as big (and hence important) as what's happening in the speaker stage of the sound reproduction system.

Cees

RAF · 05-21-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cees Alons

VERY interesting, Robert. And your remark about the SIM as well (do you happen to know which SIM it was?).

According to my notes it was the SIM2 Domino Series D80 1080p DLP projector (List: Under $10,000). In fairness to this projector (compared to my JVC DLA-RS1) the conditions in the Cinepro room, which was really all about the audio, didn't lend itself to a pristine video presentation. The SIM was mounted on a relatively flimsy scaffold (to avoid ceiling mounting in the regular hotel rooms being used for the show) and the screen was one of those <$500 mobile units (Screen Innovations TMS-80). That combination of "loose" mounting of both FP and screen in a room that was literally rocking from the sound certainly couldn't have done anything to enhance the clarity of the picture produced. And it is my understanding (from the published specs on the D80) that the maximum contrast ratio is 4000:1 so it's not a fair fight between it and the JVC. But I still can't help thinking that the JVC costs far less than the D80.

Like I said, the CINEPRO demo was all about the sound - not about the picture, so it really didn't matter.

RAF · 05-21-2007, 09:57 AM

A quick question.

I realize that a lot of people read these threads - some posters and some lurkers. I was just wondering if anyone else reading this thread happened to attend the Cinepro demonstration in NYC at HES 2007? If so, what were your thoughts on what you heard?

Thank you.

Chris S · 05-30-2007, 11:21 PM

Robert I saw you mentioned that Outlaw hinted at a 990 pre/pro successor. Do you believe this is something we may see this year or were they it just too vague to really tell?

RAF · 05-31-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris S

Robert I saw you mentioned that Outlaw hinted at a 990 pre/pro successor. Do you believe this is something we may see this year or were they it just too vague to really tell?

Chris,

As you may know, I've been following the Outlaw pre-pro line ever since its inception with the 950. In fact I was infamous "Beta Tester #1" for that unit and still bear the scars from a doubting electronics audience out there that didn't think that Outlaw could pull this off at that price point.

And even though I went the Lexicon route after that (it's all detailed on my HT web site) I still watched developments at Outlaw. More recently I commented on Outlaw's decision to stick with DVI on the 990 (which caused another stir) but now the time is right for HDMI to become an integral part of all pre/pros and receivers. In fact I moved on from my Lexicon MC-8 to a Denon 3806 AVR (in pre/pro mode) for that very reason - something that has raised the eyebrows of some audiophiles, but a step that I would take again in a heartbeat for the overall utility of such a product (once again, see my web site for details.)

Most recently I'm in the hunt for an HDMI 1.3 pre/pro or AVR used in that mode. Even though my current HDMI 1.1 pre/pro is up to the task because all the HD Audio codecs are decoded by my various players (both HD-DVD and Blu-ray) and, therefore, any HDMI does the job, I think that an HDMI 1.3 pre-pro offers more options (if the right decoders are onboard the unit). And, of course, I'm always curious regarding Outlaw's movement in this direction.

When I saw Peter Tribeman at HES (I bump into him several times a year at various shows) I asked my usual question about a 990 HDMI replacement. My inquiry went something like, "I guess we'll be seeing an Outlaw HDMI 1.3 pre/pro in the next couple of years, at least in prototype?" Peter's answer was, "No. Probably not that long a time frame." Don't try to read too much into this statement but it seems to me that Outlaw at least has something on the drawing board and they are probably further along than many people think in this most competitive segment of the market. I wouldn't be surprised if the "Model 1000" (or whatever they choose to call it - I suggested "Model 1080" to Peter) is closer than we think.

None of the above represents any inside information on my part, but just observations based on prior experience so it would be inappropriate to state with authority that Outlaw's HDMI pre/pro is almost here. It's on it's way and probably a lot closer than the long road to their first pre-pro, the 950.

I hope this helps.



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