CES 2011

MSB is offering a new universal transport based on Oppo's BDP-93, which plays practically anything on disc including DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray, CD etc. The player also sports a USB input allowing it to stream from a USB memory stick player, external hard drive or computer.

The MSB Universal Media Transport will be available in about six weeks, with a multichannel option available six weeks after that. Price starts at $3,995.

MSB was also showing their new "high res" USB DAC that the company claims can play a 384kHz stream over USB or SPDIF "bit perfect". Depending on options, the Platinum DAC IV starts at $6,500 and tops out at $27k.

It's Wednesday evening just before rush hour, and the traffic is not too bad passing through the outskirts of LV along Interstate 15 heading north. The rest of the Stereophile crew will be arriving during the next few hours and Thursday.

John Atkinson has handed out the assignments:

John Atkinson: expensive speakers

Robert Deutsch: low-mid-priced speakers

Erick Lichte: amplification of all kinds

Jason Serinus: cables, accessories, and headphones

Stephen Mejias: budget gear of all kinds

Jon Iverson: digital products of all kinds

We'll gather tonight at JA's favorite Indian restaurant for dinner, and then coverage will start up in earnest Thursday.