CES 2010: Final Thoughts

The Consumer Electronics show, the behemoth of tech, the Valhalla of gadgetry, has come and gone for yet another year. But this time, rather than arriving with a bang, it slinked into sight with something more like a whimper. CES…

CES 2010: Day 2 Round-Up

It may have gotten off to a dull start thanks to the lacklustre showing from Microsoft, but CES 2010 today threw up some really nice surprises. Keep an eye out for the Light Blue Optic's Light Touch here in today's…

Naim launches all-in-one NaimUniti home entertainment machine

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UK audio manufacture gods Naim is taking a step into the unknown this morning with the launch of their first all-in-one unit. The NaimUniti comprises an integrated amplifier, CD player, DAB/FM tuner, internet radio player, iPod & MP3 dock, digital to analogue converter, USB & network-stored music file player and network streamer. Kitchen sink not included.

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You get 10 inputs with 50-watt-per-channel amplifier action and the idea is that it sits as your all purpose box in pride of place in your living. Under the telly springs to mind. You can play music from USB, stream media over your network and you can start plugging in your satellite box, DVD player and games console too.

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It’s available now for a pretty reasonable £1995 with the n-link iPod connector cable for another £95. While you’ve got your wallet out, Naim also recommends a pair of £770 Naim n-SAT speakers as the perfect accompaniment.

NaimUniti Specifications

Audio Outputs – Speaker output Line output (L+R RCA) Sub output (2 Mono outputs via RCA) Pre-amp output (DIN)
Tape Output Fixed – 275mV, 600
Preamp Output load -10k to 8
Frequency response – 20Hz – 50 kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio – 80dB
Phase response on CD – Linear phase, absolute phase correct
Power output – 50WPC into 8Ù 90WPC into 4 Ù
Other outputs – Headphone 3.5mm jack
Antenna inputs F type
Analogue inputs – 3.5mm socket on front 3 x RCA 1*DIN with power to support
Stageline phono stage
Digital Inputs – 5 SPDIF (2xoptical, 2xcoaxial, 1*3.5mm jack) Input overload 27 dB (Rear panel connections) (Front panel: 33.8 dB) USB Front panel socket
Other inputs – Ethernet and iPod (analogue)
Remote input – Rear panel
RS232 – Rear panel
Audio files supported – Internet radio (WMA, MP3 Streams, MMS) Playlists (M3U,
PLS) MP3, AAC (up to 320 kbps, CBR/VBR) Apple Lossless (from iPod) Windows Media-formatted content (up to 320 kbps) WAV, FLAC, OGG Vorbis CD formats disc compatibility Redbook and CD-R Supply Voltage 100-120V or 220V to 240V, 50/60 Hz
Dimensions (H x W x D) – 87 x 432 x 314mm
Weight – 11.3kg
Finish – Black

Naim

CES 2009: Sennheiser announces "world's best headphones"- the HD800s

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Sennheiser’s making quite a bold claim here – the world’s best headphones. The HD800s apparently sound better than any other pair of headphones on the planet. I suspect that it might be difficult to prove that one to a jury – surely it’s more than a little subjective?

But let’s not quibble over that – it’s beyond doubt that these are damn good. A brand new “RING” driver, developed specifically for these cans alone, can deliver an amazing 6Hz – 51kHz frequency response. For comparison, your average person on the street can hear about 20Hz to 20kHz. Unless you’re an audiophile, therefore, you’re not going to get much out of these. Sennheiser also claims an amazingly low 0.02% distortion.

Denon announces top-end AH-D7000 headphones

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These over-ear headphones are Denon’s latest release to the ‘I’ve got rather a lot of money’ target market. How much money? Well, the AH-D7000s will set you back £800. That’s a lot of money, so you’d be right to ask what you’re getting for that.

You’re getting very high-class components, that’s why. A couple of 2″ drivers with free-edge microfibre diaphragms that’ll play notes up to 45kHz (20kHz is the top end of an average human’s hearing).

You also get housings crafted of mahogany (which I should point out is a highly endangered wood) with carvings on the INSIDE that ‘enhance the natural tonal balance’. The cable is 99.99999% oxygen-free copper, too, so you’ll get absolutely no distortion from that.

What do you think – worth £800? Or snake oil? Let us know your opinion in the comments.

Denon UK

Related posts: Denon DVD-A1UD high-end universal Blu-ray player | Denon DP-200USB turntable – the stylish way to turn your records into mp3s

SHINY VIDEO REVIEW: Logic3 Valve80 iPod Dock

Here’s the rather delightful Valve80 iPod dock from Logic3. It’s expensive, but it sounds absolutely amazing compared to your average dock. In fact, calling it a ‘dock’ is a bit of an insult – it’s a bonafide Hi-Fi amplifier, with two audio inputs and video out. £300 quid though… crumbs… that’s not going to go down well with your bank manager.

Logic3 Valve80

Related posts: Logic3 releases iPod dock with valve amplifier | Shiny Review: Logic3 Jivebox iPod speakers