2018 Holiday Gift Guide – Gifts Under $1,200

Happy Holidays From Suave Kajko & George de Sa!

Rega Planar 3 (P3) with Elys2 Cartridge, $1,145 US
The Rega Planar 3 (P3) was fully redesigned in 2016 with amazing results. This turntable is sleek and stylish, yet will perform like a hot rod when it comes to playing vinyl LPs. It comes in a number of lovely finishes to suit your choice. It can be ordered with the Rega Elys2 cartridge mounted and ready to go, so you or your loved one doesn’t need to wait to start that music spinning. www.rega.co.uk

Traxxas XO-1 R/C Car and Battery/Charger Complete Pack, $999 US ($799 US + $199 US)
Many of us dream of owning or at least driving a supercar, so why not turn dreams into reality with the Traxxas XO-1; the “World’s Fastest Ready-To-Race R/C supercar”. The Traxxas XO-1 provides lightening quick steering and AWD traction, with belted slick tires and functional aerodynamics. No toy, this car demands an advance driver, doing 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds, 0-100 mph in 4.92 seconds, with a top speed exceeding 100mph. www.traxxas.com

BenQ TK800 4K HDR projector $1,499 US
The TK800 is the second true 4K, 3840 x 2160 resolution, projector in the world. With four times the resolution of Full HD 1080p, 4K UHD provides unbelievably crisp, clear and fine detailed images for large screens. Yes, this is priced above the $1200 threshold but in this case it’s truly worth the stretch as it gets you into the formerly prohibitively expensive 4K HDR performance range. You and your friend will surely be glued to your seats over the holidays with this pick. www.benq.com

Yamaha RX-A1080 Aventage 7.2 Channel 4K AVR, $1,299 US
The Yamaha RX-A1080 is a fully-loaded 7.2-channel AV receiver that features a fabulous ESS SABRE DAC, along with seven HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs. It incorporates the latest in surround sound processing, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and also some other desirable features including Zone 2 functions, a phono input for your new turntable, Wi-Fi, YPAO with Precision EQ and lots more. www.yamaha.com

Totem KIN Play Powered Speakers, $999 US
Got someone on your gift list that could use an upgrade to their sound with the simplest solution possible? Just connect a smartphone to this speaker via Bluetooth and play your tunes! Based on Totem’s wonderful sounding Rainmaker speaker platform, the KIN Play features wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 4.1 (aptX), an RCA line input that is switchable to phono (for use with a turntable) or a 3.5 mini jack, a digital optical input and a subwoofer output. A built-in class D amplifier offers up 120 Watts per channel. www.totemacoustic.com

Triangle AIO 3 Streaming Speaker, $739 US
Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer that makes some amazing sounding home speakers. The AIO 3 is the company’s first “lifestyle” speaker that looks absolutely gorgeous and offers the sound to match. Using Triangle’s well-designed app, you can stream music to it via aptX Bluetooth, AirPlay, Wi-Fi or UPnP. You can also use it to access music internet radio station and your favorite streaming services like Spotify, Deezer, Qobuz and Tidal. You can also plug in other music sources into the AIO 3 by using its USB, optical and 3.5mm inputs. The AIO 3 can also be used as a soundbar for your TV. www.triangle-fr.com

JVC KW-V940BW Car Receiver, $699 US
Upgrading your car’s entertainment system is the best way to modernize any car. After market car stereos still offer far better functionality and more features than even the best built-in entertainment units found in the latest vehicles. This JVC receiver sports an awesome 6.8” resistive touch display and features like Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and WebLink, which allow you to seamlessly control popular apps from your smartphone right on the display of the JVC receiver. Therefore you’ll be able to access navigation apps, make phone calls, send & receive texts, and listen to music in a way that allows you to stay focused on the road. www.jvc.com

Kirmuss Audio Ultrasonic Record Cleaner $850 US
There’s little joy spinning a dirty record – unless you like the sound of pops and crackles. That’s why the Kirmuss cleaning machine made it on to our gift list. Traditional record cleaning machines will make your records look pretty but most times leave undesired residue on the surface of the record which can actually negatively impact sound quality. The Kirmuss machine uses ultrasonic technology to not just clean, but rather restore your records and bring them back to their former glory. So bust out that classic Bruce Springstein record, give it a good clean, and rock out like it’s the 90s! www.kirmussaudio.com

BIS Audio PowerBIS Power Bar, $675 US to $725 US (approx.)
Providing clean power to your audio components is critical when building a high-end audio system. After all, our audio components take the power that we feed them and “shape” it into the music that we hear. The Montreal-made PowerBIS is meticulously designed and utilizes the highest quality materials that result in a power bar that is as transparent as possible, while providing superior sturdiness and contact stability. Available in 6 and 8 cryogenically-treated receptacle versions, the PowerBIS is a perfect upgrade for every audio system. The power bar comes with a detachable 1.8m AC20 power cord. www.bisaudio.com

Check out our Gift Ideas Under $2,000 by clicking here!

About the Author: Suave Kajko

After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 2002, Suave turned his attention to his passion for audio, video and technology in general. Through hands on experience with an extensive number of audio video products, Suave provides a real world, expert perspective on the latest products and the technology surrounding them. As an enthusiast, he shows a true passion in his writing that is easy to understand by all consumers. Aside from contributing to NOVO, Suave has also written about audio for special sections of The Toronto Star, Son et Image Magazine (FSI Guide) and appeared several times on television. More recently Suave was interviewed and quoted in articles for the Globe and Mail and MSNBC.com. In 2010, Suave launched the Toronto Audio Video Entertainment Show (TAVES), an annual consumer trade show that has witnessed tremendous growth year after year.  In 2014, the show was expanded to include a new technology & innovation pavilion and rebranded as the TAVES Consumer Electronics Show.  As of 2016, the show attracts over 7,600 attendees and exhibitors from around the globe.  TAVES showcases cutting-edge technology and innovation in the most exciting categories: virtual reality, drones, wearables, health & fitness, gaming, audio, home theater, robotics, 3D printing, personal transportation, smart devices and electric vehicles.  For more info, please visit www.taveshow.com.

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