Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
2) Put more focus on today's popular trends, namely ipods and Computer Audio!!! Some High End Brands such as Musical Fidelity and PS Audio sell USB DACS in either standalone DACS or even their Integrated Amps (Musical Fidelity A1008 and A5.5)... Other Brands, most notably Krell are making ipod docks.... Krell has created a full system centred on using an ipod as the source (Krell Kid ipod Dock + Papa Dock 150 Watt Amplifier)... I know this is blasphemy to many Audiphiles, but there really needs to be less emphasis on Vinyl (and Feanor will hate this) and even on SACD... these products just aren't mainstream....
Here is a product that actually got my attention. Usually these things blow right past me. But this one just seemed to be a perfect combination of current trend, high-end, tubes, and low Chinese cost. This all in one gizmo from Shanling has a tuner, pre amp, CD player, Ipod dock and a tube amp with a blistering 3 watts of power all for about $1000. I really do think it is cool, although I read at least one review that said it looked like the Sharper Image catalogue threw up. But Shanling really should mate it with some optional speakers. Not many Joe Consumers will know how to mate this thing with speakers to achieve good synergy.