T.H.E. Show (Las Vegas) 2012 Coverage

January 15, 2012

The Channel Islands Audio and ESS Labs Room

ESS Labs demoed its mighty custom speakers with multiple Heil Air Motion Transformers, as well as its AMT “Limited Edition” model ($5495) (inside), using the ubiquitous Oppo BDP-95 universal Blu-ray player ($999) and Channel Islands Audio’s VDA-2 24-bit DAC ($599), VAC-1 high current power supply ($150), PLC-1 MkII passive line controller ($900) and D-200 MkII monoblocks ($3500/pair). The rack was by Sound Fusion and Kimber cables were used throughout. Unfortunately, the experience was underwhelming.