CES 2017

Audiophiles have many portable playback options, including compact high-performance DACs and serious headphones, to choose from. But what about high-quality video on a phone?

High-Res Audio is alive and well, thank you very much. New hardware is arriving, as well as new high-res streaming services. Case in point, regarding the former, Pioneer showed the XDP-300R, its newest portable audio player. It joins the previous XDP-100R player but does not replace it.

Low, flat rectangular black boxes with a few buttons and displays. Boring. You need to add a little buzz to your stereo shelf. For example, how about a Beehive? If you’re looking for a tube-driven headphone amplifier and DAC, this might be the hive for you.

Any cyclist knows how dangerous it can be to use earphones while cycling. They also know how much more fun it can be if there’s music motivating your workout. Coros is introducing a cycling helmet that lets users hear ambient sounds while playing music or taking a phone call.

How many times has this happened to you? You ask your car to phone Peggy, and instead it orders a pizza? Or maybe you ask for directions to Rochester and instead it changes your radio station? How come car voice systems can’t work as well as all the other voice systems we use? Ford asked the same question, and Alexa answered the call.

Looking for a compact speaker with built-in phono preamp so that you can plug a turntable directly into it?

Super-versatile DTS Play-fi wireless connectivity is a highlight of one of MartinLogan's two new soundbars.