CanJam @ RMAF Denver, Colorado 2017

Another CanJam has drawn to a close, but thankfully it had left us with a taste of numerous products to look forward to.

 

Acoustic Research

AR treated show visitors to their brand new AR-M200 music player, as well as their recently introduced AR-H1 planar headphones.

The AR-M200 is a $400 DAP packing in an AKM4490 and high-current high-output Class A based amplifier. It also sports 2-way Bluetooth transmission, as well as both a standard 3.5mm output and a 4.4mm Pentaconn output. The AR-M200 is only the second DAP to offer the 4.4mm Pentaconn interface (the other being the Sony WM1)

 

The AR-H1 offers planar driver technology in a $600 package. Its specification include a frequency response range of 10-70kHz, 100dB/V of sensitivity, along with an impedance of 33-ohms. This means that the AR-H1 is a pretty efficient set of cans, and as such should not require the use of a powerful amplifier.

Astell&Kern

A&K took to CanJam to show off their latest DAP, the AK70 MK II, as well as giving visitors a sneaky glimpse of their upcoming ACRO L1000 desktop DAC and headphone amplifier.

You can read more about the AK70 MK II here.

The ACRO L1000 is based around a dual AK4490 DAC architecture, and offering both balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs. The output level for unbalanced is 5Vrms, whilst balanced gets 10Vrms. A whopping 20W (into 40ohm) of output power is on tap from the amp. The ACRO L1000 supports sample-rates for PCM formats up to 384kHz/32-bit, and up to DSD256.
No word on expected pricing yet.

Click here for our range of A&K products!

 

Audeze

Audeze have enjoyed great success with the LCD line of headphones. So, at RMAF 2017, they introduced the world to their very latest additions to the LCD line – the LCD-MX4 and LCD2C, as well as a few one-off LCD4 designs.

Like those that came before it, the LCD-MX4 is powered by Audeze’s patented Fluxor magnets, and coming in at a mere 20-ohm of impedance. It also weighs 30% less than any other LCD model. Retail prices have been pegged at just under $3000.


The LCD2C is, as Audeze puts it, a reinvention of a classic. As the name suggests, the LCD2C is based off of the original LCD2. It features a lightweight suspension headband, magnesium rings, remodeled audio jacks, as well as the slightly dark sound signature of the original LCD2. Spec-wise the LCD2C seems to be identical to the LCD2, which suggests that they’ve used the exact same drivers, and as such the original and updated versions should sound very close to one another, if not identical. Pricing for the LCD2C is $600

For their newly released LCD4 models, Audeze decided to do a few one-off models as well. This involved crafting them from hand-picked wood materials. The one pictured below features Burl Wood. Keep a look out on their website for more info on these collectable models.

 

Check out our range of Audeze products!

 

Caprice Audio

Caprice Audio took to CanJam to introduce their product – the Mosaic. Not a great deal of information has been made available about the Mosaic other than that it is a high-end filter, and Caprice Audio proudly boasts about the Mosaic’s “wave stream hybrid technology”.

The Mosaic promises to “remove digital distortion while improving timbre and transient response.”

The Mosaic will be available in two colours – black and silver. The Caprice Audio website states that the black version retails for $1500, whilst the silver version is only available for custom orders.

Clear Tune Monitors

Clear Tune Monitors seem to be relatively unknown players in the audio world, but have already produced a few products. Their portfolio includes universal and custom-fit IEMs, all of which fall in a wide price-range.


At CanJam they showed off their “Vintage Series”, which consists of their VS-2, VS-3, and VS-4 universal IEMs.
However, they aso introduced 2 brand new and upcoming “DaVinci” IEMs, which feature 9 and 10 drivers.

 

Comply

Comply too made an appearance at CanJam, and even gave away some free eartips.

Check out our range of Comply products!

 

Fiio

Of course, Fiio made an appearance too, namely to showcase their latest products, the Q1 MKII and BTR1.

The Q1 MKII, as the name suggests, is a redesigned and updated iteration of the original Q1. In fact, feature-wise, the MKII is quite an upgrade over the original. The MKII houses an AK4452 DAC chip, which enables the device to decode PCM formats up to 384kHz/32-bit, and DSD formats up to DSD256


The BTR1, on the other hand, is a product that brings wireless connectivity to headphones/IEMs that don’t have built-in wireless technology. Essentially, the BTR1 is a battery operated (205mAh built-in), compact device that contains its own DAC (AK4376), amp, and Bluetooth 4.2 wireless circuitry (which includes AptX).

There are loads of Fiio products available in our store!

 

iFi Audio

iFi was there too, largely to let people experience their new Nano iDSD Black Label. This is of course an update of their regular Nano iDSD, and the baby brother of the Micro iDSD Black Label.

You can read more about the Nano iDSD Black Label here.

Check out our range of iFi-Audio products!

 

JH Audio

JH Audio joined in on the CanJam fun and had there entire product line on display, including their latest Lola

More info on the JH Audio Lola is available here.

 

Klipsch

Klipsch showed up to demo their new HP-3 headphones. This is the first product in their “Heritage” line.


The HP-3 features 52mm “Free-Edge Bio Dynamic” drivers, in a triple-vented semi-open design. The solid-wood earcups and genuine cowhide leather headband certainly gives off a sense of luxury and fine craftsmanship.

Spec-wise the HP3 has a frequency response range of 5-45kHz, a sensitivity of 98dB, and an impedance of only 25-ohms. It will be available in 3 colour variants, namely Ebony, Walnut, and Oak.

 

 

Koss

Koss has been in the audio world for quite some time, and so they joined in CanJam with their latest on-ear headphones, the KPH30i.

The KPH30i is a $30 set of on-ear headphones aiming to provide users with a lightweight and adjustable form-factor, offering spacious sound for on the go use.

The KPH30i has a frequency response range of 15-25kHz, an SPL of 101dB, and an impedance of 60-ohms. It also features an in-line microphone and remote.

 

THX

THX is all over the audio world, in particular with movies. This year at CanJam they showcased their AAA technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bEbzNrC4C8&spfreload=10

THX describes this AAA technology as:

THX AAA delivers the most accurate performance of any amplification technology available, revealing every detail of even the most dynamic high resolution content with greatly reduced energy consumption. THX is currently working on developing multiple applications for AAA.  From mobile to headphones, AAA will deliver infinitesimally low levels of distortion, noise and power consumption.

This low power consumption means this convenient single-chip solution can be powered by a single 3.6v battery giving your users extended playtime, smaller batteries and of course, the world’s best distortion levels. All branded by THX for the guaranteed highest quality audio.the room.”

 

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