Back to the future

To those who are anxious to know if my team and I would be featuring a digital source in our exhibit in this weekend’s November Hi-Fi Show at the Dusit Thani Hotel, my answer is a big “Yes!”

Just like last year, your AudioFile and the STAR are partnering with Audioamplified to bring you the best that digital music has to offer.

We have been known to advocate analog playback, but we are also cognizant of the ever-growing fascination of today’s generation with digital music servers.

We are fortunate that our display room has been chosen to be one of the venues for the launch of Cocktail Audio X30 (CA-X30) which is touted to be years ahead of its time — a real technical coup. Audiophiles can now enjoy what the future holds in digital music reproduction at a surprisingly friendly price.

The CA-X30 looks like an ordinary CD player. However, underneath its chassis are quality electronic parts designed to form a formidable music gadget that brings out the best in music at 24/192 native resolution

In a nutshell, the CA-X30 is an advanced all-in-one music system which includes an amazing set of features. The device can operate as a stand-alone audio system with connected speakers or as an advanced sound source in digital or analog Hi-Fi system.

It plays back music files in many popular formats, supports high-resolution files, and allows ripping CD-audio disc and doing records from external sources, both analog and digital. The user can install a built-in hard drive up to 4 terabytes which can accommodate the contents of tens of thousands of CDs.

The cataloging and quick access to the music collections is done via internal database which supports all the information about albums, artists, covers, etc. Data can be also uploaded and updated from the internet. For owners of smartphones and tablets, the CA-X30 manufacturer has even prepared an option to control and manage the unit via a web browser.

It can also play back multiple tracks with no gaps between them. This is a useful function for lovers of operatic or classical music which is often composed of multiple tracks. The CA-X30 allows you to record from the internet radio, FM radio and line-in, as well as from cassette tapes and vinyl.

It is equipped with the PCM1792A converters from Burr Brown, the audio quality of which is hailed by audiophile community. Its integrated amplifier can provide up to 50 watts of power per channel, thereby transforming the CA-X30 into a full stereo system.

Not only is this component revolutionary, it is sleek and built for durability. Its front panel is 8mm thick aluminum with CNC cutting and metal chassis. The die-cast aluminum feet provide both rigidity and additional resistance from external vibrations.

If you want to see and hear for yourself how the CA-X30 performs, just go to Room 445 of Dusit Thani today and tomorrow. I will be more than glad to have you as my guest for a wonderful listening session. Bring your family and friends. Something will be sure to interest them in this year’s Hi-Fi Show.

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For comments or questions, please e-mail me at audioglow@yahoo.com or at vphl@hotmail.com. You can also visit www.wiredstate.com for quick answers to your audio concerns.