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New sounds at the New York Audio Show 2014 (pictures)

The selection of superb sounding, high-end audio gear has never been wider.

Steve Guttenberg
Ex-movie theater projectionist Steve Guttenberg has also worked as a high-end audio salesman, and as a record producer. Steve currently reviews audio products for CNET and works as a freelance writer for Stereophile.
Steve Guttenberg
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1 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Focal Stella Utopia EM tower speakers

As the Audiophiliac cruised the halls of the New York Audio Show, he discovered a soon-to-be-released $50 in-ear headphone from HiFiMan that's sure to turn some heads, and at the top-of-the-heap, seriously expensive Focal Stella Utopia EM tower speakers.

Made in France, the Focal Stella Utopia EM speaker places each driver in a separate cabinet.

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2 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Sony Walkman NWZ-A17SLV high-resolution music player

Sony's nifty NWZ-A17SLV is the smallest high-resolution player I've seen, and it sounds great. A review is on the way.

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3 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Micromega MyAmp integrated stereo amplifier

It's a tiny thing, but the MyAmp is loaded with analog and digital connectivity options -- a review is in the works.

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4 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

HiFiMan RE300 in-ear headphones

HiFiMan's affordable and super-comfy new headphones sounds full-bodied and clear. The RE300 will be available in November, and a review will follow.

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5 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Sennheiser HD-800 headphones & Woo Audio WA22 headphone amplifier

The HD-800 headphones' sound perfectly jelled with the made-in-New York Woo Audio WA22 headphone amp.

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6 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

VPI Prime turntable

This made-in-New Jersey turntable sports a 3D-printed tonearm!

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7 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Aura Note V2 amplifier/CD player & Davis Acoustics Olympia One speakers

This petite amp/CD player and very small speakers produced bona-fide high-end sound quality. Its bass was so good I assumed the system had a subwoofer -- it did not.

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8 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Music Hall mmf-2.2 turntable & Audioengine A5+ speakers

A sweet-sounding little system that won't break the bank.

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9 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Zesto Audio electronics

Wes Bender Studio NYC had a rack full of luscious-sounding Zesto Audio gear, including the Bia 120 power amp, Leto preamp and Andros 1.2 phono preamp.

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10 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

KEF Reference Series speakers

The bookshelf and tower KEF Reference Series speakers' highly detailed sound and razor-sharp imaging were truly exceptional.

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11 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Vinnie Rossi Audio Lio integrated amplifier

Vinnie Rossi is phasing out his old company, Red Wine Audio, and the modular Lio is his first new design under his own name. Users can easily install plug-in circuit boards for digital converters, phono preamps, power amps, etc.. Review to come.

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12 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Nola Metro Grand Reference Gold speakers

It didn't take long to know this is an astonishing speaker. The Nola Metro Grand Reference Gold produced the best sound at the New York Audio show 2014.

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13 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Zu Audio Soul Supreme speaker

The Zu Soul Supreme is a Zu Druid V speaker that's been stuffed into a smaller obelisk cabinet. It sounds a whole lot bigger than it is.

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14 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Neat Acoustics Iota speakers

The Iota is a small desktop speaker that can also do wonders as a hi-fi speaker. It features a ribbon tweeter. A review is in the pipeline.

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15 of 15 Steve Guttenberg/CNET

Volti Audio Vittora speakers

The Vittora is a fairly large horn speaker, and it was playing the Rolling Stones when I entered the room. It's the best party speaker of all time!

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