Music and vinyl lovers alike rejoiced when tech gadget companies at CES 2016 unveiled high-tech turntables. With HiFi (high-fidelity audio) at the forefront of sound quality, music gadget companies are developing speakers, headphones and related music equipment with high-resolution sound capabilities.
Over the past few decades music listening has evolved from vinyl to tape to compact discs, but in the recent years nostalgia has kicked in and vinyl records have crept their way back into the mainstream. People love the “crackle” you hear when you play a vinyl record.
Tech companies are reviving old technologies and integrating them into new technologies that give users an updated mode of music listening.
Panasonic’s Direct-Drive is a HiFi turntable that has a Twin-Rotor Surface-Facing Direct-Drive Motor, high sensitive Tonearm, a three-layer construction combination of heavyweight brass and aluminum die cast platter and deadening rubber to cover its entire rear surface. Turntable speeds include 33 ⅓ rpm, 45 rpm, and 78 rpm.
Your records will have to wait awhile as the Technics 50th anniversary limited edition Grand Class SL-1200GAE will be available in summer 2016 with a limited serial number plate and restricted global quantity of 1,200 pieces, while the Grand Class SL-1200G will be available in late 2016.
Sony’s PS-HX500 turntable has a new innovative design along with Sony’s state-of-the-art digital technology. Its built-in A/D converter supports hi-res digital transfers in native DSD (up to 5.6 MHz) or WAV files (up to 192 KHz/24-bit resolution). This helps music lovers to digitally store their favorite music from vinyl LPs and play them for personal use on virtually any compatible hi-res audio device.
Sony developed an entirely new app with exclusive software that lets users edit and combine tracks form both sides of an album or multiple tracks can be split and saved. The turntable also comes equipped with a special driver for recording compatible DSD streams. The PS-HX500 turntable will be available in spring 2016.
TEAC showcased their sleek TN-550 turntable in Gibson Guitars’ tent at CES. The TN-550 boasts an acrylic top, Audio-Technica’s 100 phonograph cartridge, and a cultured marble base to reduce vibrations for unequalled sound quality. The tone arm utilizes anti-skating, weight control, and “PC-TripleC” pure copper wiring by SAEC Corporation for perfect balance. The TN-550 and sister TN-570 are the premium choice in TEAC’s line of turntables. However, the TN-570 adds 16bit/48khz USB digital audio out for digital recording on PCs and Mac. This 25 lb. turntable will cost $899.00 and will come out sometime in 2016.
For more CES 2016 coverage click here
