Since I was up a few bucks on the Black Jack tables of the San Remo, I didn't mind buying breakfast. I met Jim Merod at 9:00 at "Mr. Lucky's," the 24/7 café just off the casino floor at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel, just across from the Alexis Park on Harmon. After more great conversation and a sturdy breakfast, we parted ways for the day, agreeing to meet up for our staff dinner meeting by 6:30.

I headed into the Alexis Park by 10:00 and made my way to the Von Schweikert Audio room. I wanted to hear the new little VSA speaker, the VR-1, and I wanted to talk to Paul Garner about the new "Verbatim" cable line they were due to release this spring.

Albert Von Schweikert, yours truly and VSA's VP of Engineering, Kevin Malmgren, stand beside the newest member of the VSA Virtual Reality family, the VR-1

Well, the VR-1 was a certified hit. I was able to audition it in three configurations; as a stand-alone stereo pair, as a stereo pair with a pair of the new VR-S/1 subs ($1495 each), and in a 5-way system with a pair of the VR-S/1 subs. WOW! These little guys, just 12 × 8 × 11 inches and some 13 pounds apiece, really had a sense of body and a timbral balance that gave away their VSA lineage. While I admit that the 5.1 music demo was remarkable, the job they did on their own, sans any subs, as a stereo pair left me very surprised, especially when I discovered their $999 a pair retail price. Those of you with small rooms, or any other circumstance that dictates the use of mini monitors, may want to check these little guys out.

I have to confess to being very interested in having both the VR-1s and new VSA cable line in house for a closer look. The new cable line, tentatively labeled "Verbatim," consists of all ribbon construction and Albert says they measure as good as they sound. And they sounded great! As soon as they are available I'll be sharing my impressions with our readers. Paul has also promised me a first hand look at his new 135-pound power conditioner as well.

The remarkable VR-4 Gen III SE with its diminutive little brother, the VR-1

Incorporating a 6.5" resin impregnated mica/cellulose composite cone and a 1" composite silk dome, resin impregnated tweeter (both built to Albert's specifications with a Low Distortion Motor system), these little speakers were obviously something special. In fact, one of the most acknowledged and renowned recording engineers in the business, Stan Ricker, bought a set on the spot for his own studio. Stan has been at it nearly four decades and, besides having developed the half speed mastering process, has mastered for many great labels such as Acoustic Productions, Columbia Records, Crystal Clear, Delos, Diskwasher, JVC, Klavier, London, Mobile Fidelity, MCA, Phillips, RCA, Reference Recordings, Telarc, Telefunken, Warner Bros., and Windham Hill, to name but a few. The fact that a mastering engineer with those qualifications has chosen to use the VR-1 in his studio to do his monitoring is a pretty strong recommendation in my book. And, I was fortunate enough to catch Mr. Ricker walking the show and get his photo.

Mastering Engineer extraordinaire, Stan Ricker

Speaking of famous faces wandering the show, I also ran into Nelson Pass, who has not been to CES in six years. Mr. Pass was founded Threshold, whose Stasis circuit set the solid-state amplifier world on its ear in the early Eighties, then went on to establish Pass Laboratories, whose products again set new standards. It is always a pleasure to get to spend a few minutes speaking with such an influential and visionary designer in this industry.

Solid-state amplifier wizard, Nelson Pass, in attendance at his first CES in 6 years

One of the most aesthetically appealing turntables ever built, to my eyes, is the beautiful Oracle Delphi from Canada. I was thrilled to learn that the brother of Oracle founder, Marcel Riendeau, and co-developer of the original Delphi, Jacques, is back at the helm as President. While Oracle was showing their latest CD Player/Transport, I was taken with this simply gorgeous Black & Gold Delphi Mk II. Originally built on 29 October 1985, this vintage Delphi, serial number 1020, is fitted with a Dennessen Air Bearing Arm. Jacques said that this unit had retailed for $1950 and is one of some 14,500 Oracles sold since their inception back in 1979. The Mk V is still rolling off the assembly lines.

This vintage Oracle Mk II, fitted with a Dennessen Air Bearing arm, was built in 1985

Next, I stopped in to visit Roy Hall, of Music Hall, the importers of British audio products like Goldring, Epos and Creek. Well, even though last year he had denied that there would ever be a Music Hall MMF-9 turntable, the new unit was there in the flesh. And what a beauty!

The new Music Hall MMF-9 features an electronic speed control and carbon fiber tone arm

Selling for $1695, this unit offers a ton of features. This new Music Hall badged table takes the flagship position in the overachieving line of MMF turntables. The MMF-9 utilizes a three-plinth design, using four Sorbothane™ springs between each layer. The motor sits external to the plinth at the front left corner and offers an electronic speed control that will run the motor at 50 Hz (which, theoretically will let it run more quietly than a 60 Hz motor). The platter is 1" thick acrylic, comes with a Ringmat XLR mat and sits on an inverted ceramic bearing. The tone arm is the acclaimed Project 9.1 carbon fiber arm. A modified version of the high-output MC Goldring Eroica, called the Music Hall Maestro, incorporates a VITAL stylus and is included to round out this incredible analog package. The Maestro may be purchased separately for $550. I spent a little time listening and I have to say, this is one sweet sounding table - especially for its price. Roy and Leland have promised one for review so stay tuned.

Stopping by the Red Rose Music room is always a treat, and even more so when hosted by the gracious Victor Tiscareno. Victor was showing a number of things, including their new modular amplifier, the Model 150 mono amp. The 150 may be purchased in any combination, 2 for stereo, more for multi-channel systems, and has a retail of $795 each. This modular approach is both smart and logical. They also were showing their new Rosebud Mk II loudspeakers ($3,500/pr.), and the Model 3 Silver Signature preamp, with remote control and a phono section capable of supporting both MM and MC cartridges. This room was very seductive, with warm, rich tonalities and plenty of detail. I hope to have some of these products on had soon as Victor was kind enough to offer them.

Mark Levinson's Red Rose Music showed some innovative and wonderful sounding gear

Speaking of innovations, Andrew Jones, formerly of KEF and now with Technical Audio Devices, introduced their new $40,000 a pair Model-1. TAD is a 28-year-old company that has primarily dealt with pro sound. This new product is a design marvel, employing a proprietary Coherent Source Transducer technology, with drivers fabricated from Beryllium and their SILENT cabinet design (Structurally Inert Laminated ENclosure Technology). The cabinets are built from more than 50 individual machined layers of the finest Birch ply. Each layer, or cross section, is laid like the story of a building, one upon the previous layer, yielding a VERY sturdy and inert cabinet.

How did they sound? In a word, they were breathtaking. Dynamics and impact were simply astounding. Detail was riveting without being in your face or "Hi-Fi" sounding. These are some very interesting products and deserve a closer look as the products are rolled out.

TAD Director of Engineering, Andrew Jones, stands beside one of the remarkable new Model-1 Loudspeakers

The Wisdom Audio Infinite "RUSH" Planar Array Line Source floored publisher Clement Perry and contributor Greg Petan when the system was at its best. I never got to hear that delicate balance, as the CD player they had tweaked the system with gave out. Though I never heard that highly tuned alignment, I did understand why they were taken, as my time with the "RUSH" was just that. This was one big, vibrant, vivid and very dynamic sounding room. Those big black things in the middle of the photo below are not subs, but actually the jointly Rowland Design Group/Wisdom Audio developed Model 17 Smart Two Channel Hi Current amplifiers, which retail for $26,400 each. I only wish I had been able to hear it before the Accuphase CD Player had given up the ghost. I can only imagine what it was like.

David Livesay poses between the remarkable Wisdom Audio Infinite "RUSH" loudspeakers

The VAC/Nearfield Acoustics room was another mega-buck, killer sounding room. The 4-piece, $49,000 Rosewood Pipedream's Model 18, besides being visually stunning, were sonically superb. The source in this room alternated between the new $6000 George Mark Audio Technologies Processor/Pre-amp or the new, surprisingly affordable, $1600 VPI Aries Scout turntable and JMW-9 tonearm combo, fitted with a Dynavector cart. The VAC PHI 2.0 Master Controller handled preamplification and all cabling in the room was from Silversmith Audio. All equipment rested on Rix Rax equipment stands. The elegant and stunning looking 300B based, push-pull VAC PHI 70 Ultriode Mono Amplifiers, in their classy looking Plexi cases, delivered effortless dynamics and realistic soundstaging. This room left most show-goers speechless.

The beautiful aesthetics and superb sound in the Nearfield Acoustics/VAC room left most CES attendees speechless

Now, I have to admit to giving up on the chronological approach some time ago, but for good reason. In my next and final report, I will outline the best sounding rooms I visited - period. And, those of you who know me may be in for a real surprise. Just what does that mean? Well, let me give you a bit of a hint. The two most musically moving systems I heard at this years audio tryst in the desert were powered by, dare I say it aloud, TUBES! Till then…