CES in Las Vegas worth the trip?

Sdcampbell is correct about the sound at CES. However, it is a great learning experience to speak to the designers and importers as well as meeting other audiophiles. It's about the only chance to see this much equipment and software in this short period of time.

Think of it as a social event rather than an opportunity to hear the best high end sound has to offer.

There is also the possibility of making a great buy on something you always wanted. I've bought equipment at below dealer cost from tired exhibitors that didn't want to drag their gear back home. This is especially true for overseas exhibitors offered US Dollars in cash and no expense of return air shipping back to their country.

After the show each day there are groups of people that team up and dine together. Some of the most memorable nights of my life have included dinner parties with audio names that frequent these posts. As you might imagine, some have personalities as outrageous as their equipment and often the mix of two or more at the same table make for an unforgettable experience.

You should go! I went to my first C.E.S. last year, and the range of high end products is amazing. Like Sdcampbell said, most of the rooms have dreadful accoustics, but you can still make a comparison about relative sonic signatures, and just the way the actual gear looks vs. photos is worth the take! Plus the people (some living legends are there!) and info will greatly improve your audio savvy as well as learning about forthcoming gear and projects WAY AHEAD of reports in audio mags. Plus, there's never a dull moment in Vegas! Sorry "Big Apple" residents, but the city that never sleeps is really Las Vegas, NOT New York! Don't forget that there are TWO SHOWS...the C.E.S. and the EXPO (formerly called the SHOW). Anyone know if the EXPO will be held at the Tuscany again this year?

You definitely should go to the CES--it is fun and you get to see equipments from other countries that would never get to the dealer's showroom. Also, you get see a lot of new video and telecommuication gadgets.

This will be my fifth trip and have already got my airplane ticket. I can't wait.

To expand the topic a little, what about the smaller Montreal show as an alternative? Sure, there's not the same low priced buffets and hotels as in Las Vegas, but wouldn't things be a bit less hectic and addictive in Montreal? Also, apart from the show itself, isn't that city is just as licentious as LV, but in a more cultivated, European way? Just some idle thoughts on *which* show....I agree they're all a lot of fun for those who want to explore equipment more than, say, music, although even at best you're fighting crowds for an off-axis or obstructed seat in a usually acoustically non-optimal room run by often exhausted and cranky personnel. (Although some of the designers can be available to chat.) But it's marvelous because the attendees are at least as esoteric as the gear.

Fatparrot- The SHOW or the EXPO will be at the San Remo this year. Next to the Tropicana and across from the MGM Grand.

Too bad. While I agree that the hotel rooms at the Alexis Park are horrible for the CES exhibits, I thought the Tuscany had some excellent large rooms. I've stayed at the San Remo and thought it was a dump, so I have no expectations that the environment there will be flattering to the exhibits. Too bad - I think the big Kharmas are going to be a The SHOW driven by the Tenor amps. Last year the Kharmas were driven quite impressively by Lamm monos. I'd listen to that system in the parking lot.