CES and T.H.E. 2009 - Is anyone going?

The most impressive thing at CES was when the guys @ NTT Audio aired out their total Wilson aLexandria rip offs to >120 dB with the symphony playing the exorcist rif, people literally RAN into the room! Someone asked them if they could rock, and Joe proved they can!

I was surprised how bad some rooms sounded this year, many big names rooms frankly sucked despite tons of great gear.

I only hit T.H.E show for a second to see a friend, but it would have driven me nuts to spend any time there, it was so depressing....

Jeff Rowlands room sounded amazing, the best I have ever heard the Thiels sound, and at very reasonable listening levels, possibly the most tubish sound form SS ever.

I am, and Lc you are right!

The CEA promised the hotels would not raise rates this year, and to my checking all hotels are at least 50% or more over last years rates. Add to that the worsening economy and I think you are right, attendance will/should be down this year, but not by much. The computer business (former COMDEX) section of CES is doing well and might be doing so well as to compensate for the lack of sale in the high end AV industry, but only time will tell.

BTW I used to dream of going to CES, now that I do and have obligations there, I HATE it, and LV! Spend an hour in a cab line and another hour to go cross town to see a 20 minute demo and talk for another 20 then do it all again for another meeting? It is ridiculous! It is just too big to be doable anymore.

I plan to spend two days at the Venetian this year, an afternoon or AM at the AVN's, and likely a day or so more @ T.H.E. Show, I made no meetings this year, and am trying to stop anything show related @ 6PM, when I will go have a good dinner and relax!

Albert,

We made reservations a long time ago... No waiting for tis guy!

Lc,

The AVN's are there the same time as CES, Thursday to Sunday.

I am wondering how I will do CES, T.H.E. Show and still make time to stop by the AVN's to thank several studios for help this year....

I guess I will sleep when I come home after!

Skippy,

In a word, NO, nothing new and cool, the biggest thing was Chord's Bluetooth DAC, but it was usurped by Sherwood having the same tech on a $400 receiver!!!!!

Vizio was showing a 55 inch 240 Hz TV that will ship in June and RETAIL for $1,999 as well as a Blu-ray player.

Speaker cable was Nordost, didn't check the rest.

No, I didn't even go in, I have never been impressed by Magico, I know I fly in the face of many reviewers but that's my feeling and I stick to it!