CES 2014

Vladimir Lamm introduced at CES 2014 the new LP 2.1 phono preamplifier, a pure Class A vacuum tube based phono preamplifier operating pure "Class A" with no loop feedback.

The 2014 International CES opened yesterday, with attendance down due to the extremely cold weather conditions gripping the nation, but among vinyl fans warm feelings prevailed as sales were the highest in 2013 since the 1991 debut of Soundscan. And it can be argued that Soundscan barely "scratches the surface" of actual record sales.

Osaka, Japan-based Zanden Audio added a third phono preamplifier to its line with the $7,500 Model 120, a solid state LCR RIAA design using Jensen dual tap step-up transformers with 60dB and 71dBs of gain and input impedances of 36 ohms and 470 ohms respectively.

Rega and importer The Sound Organization launched the new Rega RP10 turntable.

Pro-Ject announced at CES 2014 a major line upgrade. We have a GoPro video covering all of it but because of pathetic internet speed we are unable to post at this time. It might have to wait until after CES.

For now, here are the details: The $199 Elemental is now in full production. This is an "out of the box" ready to play 'table complete with Ortofon OM-5 cartridge. The intent is to kill the grew chewing Crosely junk by convincing budget buyers that spending $60 on a turntable and $30 on a 180g version of Dark Side of the Moon is DUMB.

AMG's new Teatro moving coil cartridge is an international collaborative effort, combining a machined, two-piece Tiodize Type III Titanium body manufactured in America and a Japan-sourced generator system, featuring separate coils for each channel said to increase separation (most cartridges have two coils mounted on a single former).

Germany-based Transrotor added four new models to its lineup.