NO CES Updates???

i have attended ces for the last 15 years. i did not go this year.

here are some of my reasons.

at some point, i have had my fill of speakers, amps, and other components i have heard 5 times.

there are very few exhibits that have outstanding sound.
there is no purpose listening to mediocre sound, after the novelty has worn off.

there are very few advancements in technology.
there is "sameness" in the sound of push pull amplifiers and many tube preamps. many 24 bit , oversampling digital sources have a lot in common, sonically.

Mrtennis, this was my first and last CES. I couldn't agree with you more, and I have only been once. With a few notable exceptions; Vandersteen, Magnepan, MBL, and Peachtree Audio, nothing was really mind blowing. Also, if attendance was donw 22% this year, I cannot imagine how packed it normally is. It seemed packed to me at CES, THE Show was pretty sparse.

It was fun to go once just to see it. Vegas is such a wierd place though......

Golden_ears, I don't disagree with you regarding casual attendees - I was one myself for years. The $100 fee was only for people registering late, which I think went up to $200 after Jan. 1st. At that rate it would be a consideration for those whose curiosity and desire to attend are not high. As for your theory and pointed opinion about 'spin' and money grabbing, no one is being forced to attend. I accomplished a lot by attending, however.