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May 13, 2008
Titles lined up at this point include The Third Man, Bottle Rocket, Chungking Express, The Man Who Fell to Earth, The Last Emperor, El Norte, The 400 Blows, Gimme Shelter, The Complete Monterey Pop, Contempt, Walkabout, For All Mankind, and The Wages of Fear. Alongside the DVD and Blu-ray boxed sets of The Last Emperor, Criterion will also release the theatrical version in both formats. The Blu-ray release of Walkabout will feature new supplemental materials as well as a new transfer. An updated anamorphic DVD of the film will be released at the same time. The Criterion Collection website
April 7, 2008 The latest hybrid ELS/dynamic hybrid speaker from MartinLogan is the Spire ($8495 per pair), which features the proprietary Vojtko crossover topology derived from the flagship Summit loudspeaker. The Spire mates a CLS (Curvilinear Line Source) XStat panel with a 10" aluminum-cone dynamic woofer driven by its own 200-watt amplifier to produce "precision, dynamics and three-dimensional soundstaging" along with "shockingly powerful and accurate bass." A 35Hz equalization circuit allows low-end calibration for optimal speaker/room integration. The Spire is available in a variety of cabinet finishes, including black ash, dark cherry, natural cherry, maple, birds eye maple, wenge, and rotary cut bubinga. Additional finishes are offered through the MartinLogan Custom Shop. New Flagship Audio/Video Player from Oppo March 20, 2008
"We’ve leveraged our years of experience in upconverting technology, not to mention the latest innovations from leading video and audio partners, to release our most powerful, highest-performing player yet," said Jason Liao, vice president of product development at Oppo Digital.
March 6, 2008 The product of 30 years of experimentation, NSR Sonic Research's new Sonata D-3 loudspeaker is available in several different automotive finishes and with different crossover options. Drivers are from Vifa and SEAS, and the patented bass system is said to produce the lowest note of a Steinway Concert Grand piano -- 27.5Hz. The crossovers are completely point-to-point wired; the company eschews circuit boards because they "further add time distortions in the circuit." The speaker measures 46"H x 10"W x 16"D and weighs 84 pounds. Sensitivity is stated as 93.7dB/W/m, with 6-ohm nominal and 4-ohms minimal impedance. The D-3's frequency response is reported as 24Hz-30kHz. The standard D-3 costs $4495 per pair, while the D-3 with reference crossover is $5395 per pair.
Toshiba Pulls the Plug on HD DVD February 19, 2008
The press release goes on to say that Toshiba "intends to maintain collaborative relations with the companies who joined with Toshiba in working to build up the HD DVD market, including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation and major Japanese and European content providers." While this may be true, it's hard to imagine that any new HD DVD titles will appear if there are no new players or drives on which to play them. Press release on Toshiba's website More Bad News for HD DVD February 18, 2008
Netflix Chooses Blu-ray February 13, 2008
You're receiving this email because you have asked to receive high-definition movies in the HD DVD format. As you may have heard, most of the major movie studios have recently decided to release their high-definition movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format. In order to provide the best selection of high-definition titles for our members, we have decided to go exclusively with Blu-ray as well. While we will continue to make our current selection of HD DVD titles available to you for the next several months, we will not be adding additional HD DVD titles or reordering replacements. Toward the end of February, HD DVDs in your Saved Queue will automatically be changed to standard definition DVDs. Then toward the end of this year, all HD DVDs in your Queue will be changed to standard definition DVDs. Don't worry, we will contact you before this happens. You can click here to change your format preferences. We're sorry for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call us at 1 (888) 638-3549. The Netflix Team
January 24, 2008 Based in Montreal, Gemme Audio has created some unique loudspeakers at a variety of prices. The company's newest speaker, the Katana ($9300 USD per pair), uses Accuton ceramic drivers and first-order crossovers in cabinets that are "both stiffer and stronger, thanks to 50mm front and back baffles and extensive use of crisscross machined 25mm braces strategically embedded in the various surfaces." Sensitivity isn't as high as with other Gemme Audio speakers -- 88dB/W/m -- but the minimum impedance is said to be 7 ohms, and the median impedance is 10 ohms, making this speaker an easy load for any partnering amplifier. User selectable high-pass and bass contouring are important features. High-gloss piano black is the sole finish option.
Nagra's New Phono Stage November 21, 2007
The VPS comes standard with one MC input board. A second MC ($1495) or MM board ($395) can be added. "Continuous Improvement" from Aurum Acoustics October 5, 2007
Aurum has also released two internally mounted modules (shown above) for the Integris CDP that expand its capabilities. The new MC/MM phono stage ($2500) offers great flexibility and up to 81dB of gain, and the new headphone amplifier ($1000 alone or $800 with the phono stage) is said to provide "clean and pure drive to virtually any headset." High-Def "Benchmark" Video Discs September 18, 2007
HD HQV Benchmark includes tests for noise, video-resolution loss, "jaggies," and film-resolution loss. It is recorded in 1080i video, so it can be used to determine if a player or display properly deinterlaces 1080i sources. There are also promotional codes to receive $5 off the purchase price. SSNHQVBR (Blu-ray) and SSNHQVHD (HD DVD). Feature-Packed Budget-Priced Universal A/V Player from Oppo August 14, 2007
August 7, 2008 For the 12th consecutive year, The Cable Company will set aside 5% of all purchases made in August, including those from subsidiary usedcable.com, as part of its Summer Against Hunger fundraiser. This money is donated to CARE, and some of it is matched by participating vendors. CARE also helps line up an additional matching grant of at least 5:1 (and as much as 10:1 in the past) from a large donor. Thus, when The Cable Company contributes 5% of a sale in August, this may be matched by a participating vendor, and this 10% total donation generates an amount that's five times greater. So as much as 60% of the amount spent on audio products during August ends up helping some of the world's neediest people. CARE's poverty-fighting work reached 455 million people in 66 countries in 2006. For more information on CARE, visit the organization's website. Hybrid DAC from Accustic Arts July 24 2007
Accustic Arts' website B&W's Fourth-Generation 600 Series July 9, 2007
Current finish options are red oak and black ash, with wenge being added later in the year. Models and prices include: 686 minimonitor, $450 per pair; 685 minimonitor, $600 per pair; 684 floorstander, $1000 per pair; 683 floorstander, $1400 per pair; HTM62 and HTM61 center-channel speakers, $400 and $600 each respectively; ASW608, ASW610 and ASW610XP subwoofers, $450, $600 and $1000 each respectively; DS3/CDS3 surround speakers, $400 each.
June 15, 2007 Billed as " the culmination of 20 years of research and development in the areas of transient response, bandwidth, noise floor and octave-to-octave energy balance," Avalon Acoustics' new floorstanding Indra loudspeaker (under $20,000 per pair) uses proprietary drivers in a handmade multi-layer cabinet. The Indra features a 1" concave ceramic tweeter, 3 1/2" concave dome midrange, and a pair of 7" Nomex Kevlar woofers to produce a quoted frequency response of 28Hz-25kHz. Crossover damping networks are said to "virtually eliminate driver overhang and energy storage." According to Avalon, "More than just transparent and dynamic, Indra has the groundbreaking ability to recreate a holographic soundfield completely free of the loudspeaker cabinet and room boundaries." Join the SoundStage! Network June 6, 2007
Prove it! Due to continuing growth, the SoundStage! Network, which operates SoundStage!, SoundStage! A/V, Home Theater & Sound, GoodSound! and Ultra Audio, is always seeking passionate and articulate A/V enthusiasts to write articles for our sites. Ideal writers have great interest in high-end audio or home theater, basic knowledge of audio or video products, a love or music and/or movies, and an interest in translating the experience of high-end audio and home theater into words. We are one of the few online organizations that pays its writers, and there is opportunity to broaden your scope as a writer after you've shown the ability to meet deadlines. Candidates will be asked to produce a sample article in addition to explaining their A/V interests. If you are interested in joining our writing team, tell us about yourself. T.H.E. Show Expands May 11, 2007
With this move, T.H.E. Show more than doubles the number of exhibit rooms available. Only the ground-floor rooms at the Alexis Park will be allocated as exhibit space, with second-floor rooms reserved as sleeping space for guests. T.H.E. Show's current agreement with the Alexis Park runs through 2010. True High-Definition Downloads from iTrax April 23, 2007
iTrax.com will launch in June with 500 tracks available from several audiophile labels, although the catalog of AIX Records will initially be featured. Discussions are underway with many other audiophile labels to broaden the pool of available downloads. iTrax.com will not sell physical CDs or DVDs but will direct consumers to other sites where they will be available. For consumers interested in acquiring a large number of iTrax.com tracks, the site will have a hard-drive-exchange program. Monitor Audio Goes Platinum
Monitor Audio's impressive new Platinum speakers top off the company's offerings and utilize various new materials and technologies, including a Ceramic-Coated Aluminum Magnesium (C-CAM) ribbon tweeter, a midrange/woofer driver made of honeycomb Nomex between ultra-thin C-CAM layers, a cast Anti-Resonant Composite (ARC) material for the front baffle and midrange enclosure, and High-Velocity (HiVe2) ports. The new Platinum speakers are as beautiful as they are technologically advanced. Finish options are piano-lacquer Santos rosewood or ebony, with front baffles hand-upholstered in Strathsprey leather. There are three speakers in the line: the Platinum 300 floorstander (shown right, $8995 per pair), the Platinum 100 minimonitor ($4295 per pair), and the Platinum 350C center-channel speaker ($4295 each). There are also stands made specifically for the Platinum line.
New Compact DSP-Enhanced Subwoofer from Axiom February 22, 2007
The EP400 will be available in March in Axiom's standard in-stock finishes -- black oak, Boston cherry, light maple and Mansfield beech -- and a wide range of custom vinyl and real-wood finishes. Philips All-In-One System Has Audiophile Touches February 15, 2007
Décor-Friendly JBL Speakers with Professional Features January 25, 2007
The ES series includes a surround minimonitor (ES10), two compact minimonitors (ES20 and ES30), two floorstanding speakers (ES80 and ES90), a center-channel speaker (ES25C), and two powered subwoofers (ES150P and ES250P). Suggested retail prices range from $349 per pair to $1098 per pair. There is an array of installation options for the speakers, including wall mounting. New Lamm "Signature" Amp January 3, 2007
The ML3 Signature will be unveiled at the CES in Las Vegas January 8-11, where it will be on static display. New CD/SACD Player from EMM Labs November 21, 2006
B&W Adds High-Value Floorstander November 14, 2006
New Top-of-the-Line Headphones from Ultrasone October 10, 2006
New Videoless Universal Player from Esoteric September 22, 2006
Klipsch Acquires API August 15, 2006
August 3, 2006 Once again The Cable Company will devote August to its Summer Against Hunger fund-raising efforts to help the poorest people in the world's most ravaged countries. In August, The Cable Company, Usedcable.com and many vendors will contribute a portion of their sales to CARE, which helped 48 million people in 70 countries last year. The Cable Company will donate 5% of its sales, and participating vendors will match with another 5%. CARE has secured a 5-to-1 matching corporate grant for all contributions. This means that as much as 60% of the amount of each sale will ultimately help the world's neediest people. The Cable
Company website
New Balanced Headphone Amp from RudiStor
RudiStor's NX33 ($1150 regular price; $990 introductory price) is a compact solid-state headphone amp that will accommodate both standard single-ended 1/4" and balanced XLR connection. It is a class-A, no-feedback design that uses no capacitors in the signal path. According to RudiStor, the NX33 "offers one of the lowest noise floors that we have measured, providing a blacker-than-black background." The NX33 has single-ended and balanced inputs, and an IEC power-cord connector. Anthem's Latest A/V Preamp/Processor July 6, 2006
Onkyo's New Stereo Separates June 14, 2006
In-Wall/In-Ceiling Speakers from Paradigm June 8, 2006
Wilson Audio Introduces the WATT/Puppy 8 May 23, 2006
At the Home Entertainment show held in Los Angeles from June 1-4, Wilson Audio will unveil the latest iteration of the company's first and best-known speaker: the WATT/Puppy System 8 ($27,900 per pair). The System 8's tweeter is new for the speaker, having initially debuted in the MAXX Series 2. Wilson Audio developed this tweeter after testing and comparing all existing technologies and exotic materials. The new tweeter is said to reduce time-domain distortion and diffraction, resulting in better resolution of transients and overtones, and greater treble extension and air. The WATT/Puppy 8's revised crossover uses technology first developed for the Alexandria X-2 that is said to reduce a specific kind of noise that Wilson Audio has named "crossover jitter." This has reportedly led to a more coherent and seamless transition from treble to midrange, and greater bass impact, speed and linearity. The System 8 WATT also employs a new cabinet structure that omits the lead ingots used in pervious models. The entire speaker now also uses the elegant recessed diffraction pad and pin-style grille-attachment scheme first developed for the Alexandria. Because of the great changes to the WATT/Puppy System 8, owners of previous iterations will not be able to upgrade their speakers. However, Wilson Audio is offering an upgrade/trade program for the WATT/Puppy 8 with pricing based on the date of purchase. Majik Separates from Linn May 11, 2006
May 5, 2006 The new Stereovox XV2 digital cable ($150 up to one meter in length, and $50 for each additional half meter) replaces the company's HDXV and employs new precision processes and a full-metal foil beneath the woven shield to tighten impedance tolerances and decrease leakage. "Still a stone-cold bargain," quipped designer Chris Sommovigo. "If you thought HDXV was a giant-killer, XV2 will shock and amaze." Like its predecessor, XV2 will be terminated with 4GHz-rated 75-ohm BNCs and come supplied with a pair of Stereovox's special BNC-to-RCA adapters. The XV2 will also be available in three-cable bundles for use in component-video applications.
April 28, 2006 The Atelier First Horn loudspeaker ($699 per pair) features a single full-range Fostex driver, a stainless-steel footing, and a stainless-steel dragonfly driver ring. The cabinet is constructed from 11 plies of birch, internal connections are made with 14-gauge Litz wire, and speaker connectors are from Cardas. The First Horn's 94dB sensitivity is said to make it appropriate for a wide array of amplification -- from 2-watt SET to 100-watt solid state. The First Horn is sold factory direct.
High-Definition Video from 500 Feet Away April 19, 2006
The system consists of one SES 114TT transmitter with 12V DC power supply and one 110RW receiver. It costs $599. Additional 110RW receivers are available for $199. Hold Your Own Film Festival April 14, 2006
The titles for the Docurama Film Festival I titles are diverse:
Attendees will further be able to immerse themselves in the movies by visiting the Festival's website, which will have film trailers and clips; descriptions of all the films and filmmaker biographies; an interactive buzz blog, allowing for comments and open discussions of all the films in the festival; and podcast interviews with the filmmakers (scheduled to air live the week of June 27). Docurama Film Festival I website
April 12, 2006 Mirage's new OM Design speakers stretch the capabilities of the brand's Omniguide technology, which allows the speakers to produce a uniform 360-degree radiation pattern. The flagship OMD-28 (shown right, $3750 each) features a complex curved cabinet in hand-lacquered piano black finish or two different hand-lacquered real-wood veneers: burled maple or rosewood. It uses dual 8" multi-layer carbon-fiber woofers and a 5 1/4" multi-layer carbon-fiber/fiberglass hybrid midrange, both of which feature Mirage's patented Ribbon Elliptical Surround for linear inward/outward driver movement and greater excursion. The OMD-28 also uses a new chambered 1" titanium-dome tweeter. All of the drivers used in OM Design speakers are proprietary. The OMD-28's bass extension reportedly goes to a low 25Hz, with usable output down to 18Hz. Matching OMD-C2 center-channel speaker ($2000) and OMD-R surround speakers ($1000 each) round out the OM Design series. VTL's Best Gets Better
VTL's TL-7.5 Reference has garnered a number of enthusiastic reviews and awards during its four-year run as the company's top preamp. During the development of the TP-6.5 Reference phono stage, VTL discovered a new circuit that uses 12AU7 tubes run with higher current. Incorporated into the TL-7.5, this circuit has lowered the preamp's voltage gain by 6dB and improved its sound. The new TL-7.5 Reference Series II will cost $15,000; owners of the original TL-7.5 Reference can upgrade for $2500. Statement Analog from Metronome
Well known for its digital products, Metronome has introduced the new Gaia turntable, "a reference-setting, state-of-the-art analog turntable that sets new levels of performance regardless of price." Gaia uses materials specifically chosen to damp or eliminate vibrations, and has an "advanced designed" separate power supply "for extremely low noise and effortless, stunning dynamics." Build quality is said to be "extremely high," with "close tolerance manufacturing from [the] leading-edge aerospace industry." The Gaia is available in two versions -- Standard ($35,000) and Deluxe ($44,000) -- with the latter adding a special Silent Base and shipping in a custom flight case. The Silent Base can be added to a Standard Gaia at a later date. Metronome products are distributed in the US by tmh audio. New A/V Speakers from Gallo Acoustics
Gallo Acoustics' new Nucleus Reference AV and Reference AV Center speakers ($1200 each) are based on the company's recently introduced Nucleus Reference 3.1 floorstanding speakers but are specifically engineered for use with flat-panel televisions. The Reference AV features Gallo's proprietary CDTII tweeter and the company’s patented S2 Technology, which enhances low frequencies. In addition to use with flat-panel TVs, the Reference AV can be used in stereo, in multiples for a complete home-theater package, or as center- and rear-channel speakers in a surround system with Reference 3.1s in front. Each Reference AV and Reference AV Center is shipped with standard wall mounts; optional matching cast-aluminum table stands are also available.
Play and Store Your CDs March 8, 2006
Krell's Evolution March 3, 2006
All of Krell's new Evolution products will begin shipping by the end of this month.
February 24, 2006 Measuring 11"H x 6 1/2"W x 10 1/2"D, B&W's new CM1 ($450 each) is said to be sized "for custom applications where it can be hidden away in purpose-built cabinetry." Owners may think differently about this petite speaker -- its real-wood veneer (rosenut, maple or wenge) and Nautilus technology demand for it to be displayed prominently. The CM1 is a two-way, vented-box design that uses a 1" aluminum-dome tweeter derived from B&W's original Nautilus design and a 5" B&W-designed and -manufactured Kevlar midrange/bass driver. The first-order crossover uses "a select audiophile-grade capacitor." Grilles are attached with hidden magnets. The fully shielded CM1 is appropriate for stereo or home-theater use.
Alexis Park Out, Venetian In February 22, 2006
The 2007 CES will be held in Las Vegas from January 8 to 11, Monday through Thursday. Gryphon's Trident Speaker System
Gryphon Audio Designs' newest speaker, the Trident (70,000 € per pair), is said to achieve "the theoretical ideal of all drivers operating in phase at all times at all frequencies." The Trident uses seven extensively modified Danish driver per speaker (four 8" woofers, two 5" midrange units, and one 1" ring-radiator tweeter) and dedicated onboard 500W bass amplifiers. Trident also makes use of Gryphon's hand-adjusted Constant Phase crossovers and proprietary Q Control room-integration circuitry. Each Trident is housed in a non-resonant enclosure and weighs over 400 pounds. The Trident's front baffle is said to incorporate a carefully calculated time-aligned curvature. In terms of finish options, Trident incorporates Gryphon's SideSpin, an innovative modular construction method that makes it easy to remove and replace the the speaker's side panels, offering owners the option of changing the exterior of their loudspeakers at any time. Audiophile-Grade Fuses from Germany February 15, 2006
February 8, 2005 Anthony Gallo Acoustics' Nucleus Reference 3.0 garnered much critical acclaim during its nearly three-year run as the company's flagship speaker. The new Nucleus Reference 3.1 ($2995 per pair) uses the patented CDTII tweeter -- an improved version of the original CDT -- along with patented S2 Technology, which decouples the backwave of the woofer from the air inside the enclosure and is said to provide "superior low-frequency extension." Also, non-polar electrolytic capacitors in the crossover have been replaced with a metalized polyproplene type, resulting in "better midrange clarity and enhanced low-level resolution." Gone is the Reference 3.0's tweeter-level switch. As with the Reference 3.0, the 3.1 features carbon-fiber midrange drivers mounted independently in stainless-steel enclosures. These bracket the CDTII tweeter, with its 300-degree radiation pattern. A 10" long-throw, dual-voice-coil woofer produces the low frequencies.
January 27, 2006 Post-CES e-mail has brought a handful of announcements for new distribution agreements. The latest is from tmh audio, which will begin distributing New Audio Frontier's electronics in the US. Of special emphasis are the New Audio Frontiers 845-based SET amplifiers, which employ no feedback and tube rectification. Six SET models will be available starting at $13,000; the Stereo 845 ($13,000) is pictured. New Audio Frontiers also makes a KT66-based SET amp and tubed preamp that tmh audio will handle. Eventus Audio Now in the North America January 23, 2006
Aaudio Imports in Southern California is handling distribution of Eventus Audio speakers in North America. Current pricing is as follows: Sophis (center-channel speaker) - $3500 each Eventus Audio website
January 19, 2006 Burmester audio products are well known for their robust build quality, jewelry-like finish, and refined sound. The German company has named a new US distributor. Soundquest, located in New York City, will begin distributing Burmester's large product line -- source components to speakers -- to US-based dealers. In addition, Soundquest distributes Audio Physic speakers, which also originate in Germany.
OTL "Beast" from Transcendent Sound January 17, 2006
The Beast monoblocks are available with RCA ($3695 USD per pair in kit form, $4995 per pair assembled) and XLR inputs ($3995 per pair as kits, $5295 assembled). A second RCA jack is supplied in the XLR version that is directly wired to the input, thereby bypassing the transformer. Thor on FOX
High-end audio can use all of the publicity it can get. In this spirit, Thor Audio has signed a contract with the FOX Network, whose show House will feature Thor Audio products as part of Dr. Gregory House's (Hugh Laurie) personal stereo system. Episodes that feature Thor Audio equipment will run on the following dates in 2006: January 24, February 7, February 14, March 7, March 28, and April 4. Concord Acquires Telarc December 19, 2005
Included in the transaction is Heads Up International, which became part of Telarc in 2000, and its catalog of contemporary instrumental and world music. Following the recent acquisition of Fantasy, Inc., this transaction further reinforces the Concord Music Group as one of the world’s largest independent record companies. Telarc's website Stereo Receiver from Outlaw Audio December 15, 2005
Like all Outlaw Audio products, the RR 2150 receiver is sold exclusively through the company’s website. New Preamp/Processor from Bryston December 8, 2005
December 5, 2005 The Cable Company and UsedCable.com's Summer Against Hunger fundraiser has become a fixture of the audio industry's summer months. This year, total program contributions to CARE and The International Rescue Committee were a little over $81,000. This was accomplished through matching funds of 3:1 from US AID for one-third of the fundraiser's total, and 7:1 from the European Community for the other two-thirds. Over the course of ten years, Summer Against Hunger totals, including matching contributions, approach $400,000. The Cable Company website Chris Whitley (1960-2005)
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris Whitley passed away from lung cancer in Houston on November 20. He was 45. Whitley's dozen albums combined elements of folk, country, electrified blues and rock music, often sounding old and new at the same time. His debut album, Living with the Law, recorded in Daniel Lanois' New Orleans studio, garnered very positive reviews and earned Whitley a spot opening for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. His latest album, Soft Dangerous Shores, was recorded in 2004 and came out earlier this year. An accomplished musician, Whitley's playing on dobro and slide guitar called to mind many blues and rock greats, a feat aside from his songwriting abilities. Whitley is survived by his daughter, brother and sister, father, and ex-wife. Link to biographical information on All Music
November 16, 2005 Inspired by the larger and twice-as-costly Summit, MartinLogan's Vantage ($4995 per pair) is the company's newest hybrid powered electrostatic speaker and "features advanced technological developments, dramatically reducing cabinet size and establishing new standards for efficiency, dynamics and precision in a floorstanding loudspeaker." The Vantage uses a MartinLogan PowerForce 8" aluminum-cone woofer along with a 200W amplifier in a "precision acoustic control cabinet design" to produce usable bass down to 34Hz. The Vantage's MicroPerf stator technology features more open playable area in each panel -- equal to nearly twice the size of a traditional electrostatic transducer. Finish options include a variety of real-wood veneers with multiple layers of hand-rubbed lacquer.
November 9, 2005 Gemme Audio's new Concerti 108 speaker ($3395 USD per pair) uses a single Fostex FE108 Sigma driver in a cabinet made of eight 1"-thick acrylic-coated MDF panels and sealed completely with a polyester lacquer that makes the cabinet "as hard as a concrete block." A "smoothly expanding horn that is highly rigid," accounts for the Concerti 108's 93dB sensitivity. Gemme Audio's True-Horn technology is said to deliver "very fast transient attacks, accurate micro-detail information retrieval, explosive dynamics, and the feel of a 'live' concert." The Concerti 108's cabinet is polished to a high gloss piano finish.
Latest HD Projector from Vidikron November 2, 2005
A New Statement from Anthem October 26, 2005
Wilson Audio Introduces Sophia Series 2 October 18, 2005
Owners of original Sophia speakers with a factory invoice dated July 15, 2005 or later can exchange their speakers for Sophia Series 2s for $1290 -- the difference in price between the two. Other Sophia owners can have their speakers upgraded to Series 2 (minus the recessed diffraction pad and grille-attachment scheme); the cost is based on the original purchase date and will be either $3500 or $4000 until May 1, 2006, when all upgrades will cost $4000. Contact Wilson Audio for details. XM Radio/iPod-Ready A/V Receiver from Onkyo October 11, 2005
A/V UPS from Richard Gray's Power Company October 4, 2005
Décor-Friendly Home-Theater Speakers from B&W
Called "a slim, impressively elegant solution to the challenge of bringing fully cinematic sound to the most carefully designed home-theater installations," B&W's new XT4 left/right floorstanding towers ($2500 per pair), XTC center-channel speaker ($800 each), and XT2 bookshelf/surround speakers ($1000 per pair) use extruded-aluminum vented enclosures that are a mere 6" wide and are said to "rival the performance of much larger cabinets." Each speaker uses a Nautilus-derived 1" aluminum-dome tube-loaded tweeter developed specifically for the XT series and a 5" woven-Kevlar-diaphragm bass/midrange driver. The XT4s add a pair of paper/Kevlar-composite woofers for claimed extension to 34Hz. All three XT models have first-order "minimalist" crossovers. Finish is satin aluminum with black grilles. New DSP Minimonitor and Center-Channel Speaker from Meridian
Meridian's new DSP3100 replaces the existing DSP33 and comprises two different speakers: a bookshelf/stand-mounted monitor ($4795 per pair, $595 for matching stands) and a separate horizontal center-channel speaker ($2895 each, $345 for the matching stand) for home-theater use. A Motorola 56367 running at 150MHz handles DSP duties for both speakers, while dual 24-bit delta-sigma converters perform digital-to-analog conversion. The DSP3100 minimonitor is a two-way rear-ported design with a single 6" woofer, while the horizontal center-channel speaker is a two-and-a-half-way closed-box design with dual 5 1/4" woofers. Both speakers use a Meridian 1" doped-fabric-cone tweeter. Specially designed aluminum stands are available, and the DSP3100 minimonitor includes omnimount/universal wall brackets. Finish options include black and silver that match Meridian's G-series components. Linear Acquires Sunfire September 2, 2005
Reference Recordings Returns August 19, 2005
Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of Reference Recordings, and new releases will begin appearing in January. The first of these is Five O'clock Foxtrot, a collection of orchestral music by Maurice Ravel, with Eiji Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra. Arcam Adds Speakers to its Product Lineup August 16, 2005
Analog/Digital Subwoofers from Meridian August 9, 2005
August 2, 2005 The Cable Company and UsedCable.com have organized the tenth annual Summer Against Hunger fundraiser, which supports the relief and development efforts of the International Rescue Committee and CARE. Both The Cable Company and UsedCable.com donate a percentage of sales in August to the IRC and CARE, with matching funds coming from a cross-section of vendors for sales of their products. Further matching funds for overall contributions are also donated. Last year, the US Agency for International Development (US AID) combined to match Summer Against Hunger efforts on a 3:1 basis. The Cable Company website
Audio Research's More Affordable "Reference" Amplifier July 28, 2005
Biasing the Reference 210 requires only two adjustments; values are shown on the amplifier's vacuum-fluorescent display, which has six levels of illumination, plus off. AC line voltage and logarithmic, scalable power output (0-10, 0-50, 0-100, 0-200 watts) along with total hours of tube use can also be shown on the display. The Reference 210 is available in silver or black finish, both with black rack-mount handles. Two Audio Companies Sold July 22, 2005
Subwoofer Amplifier from Anthony Gallo Acoustics July 19, 2005
New Audio Cables from DH Labs Designer July 13, 2005
Online Shopping "Gaining in Popularity" and Satisfaction July 8, 2005
The CEA's "The Demographics of Online vs. In-Person CE Shopping" study drew its conclusions from surveying more than 1000 US adults. "Premium" Interconnect from Acrolink July 6, 2005
Speaker Suite "Designed for Modern Living" July 4, 2005
June 16, 2005 The AcuHorn grand biancore155 ($11,500 per pair) uses a pair of Tesla drivers along with Siltech Generation 5 internal wire and WBT binding posts. The speakers are said to be 99dB sensitive and a 4-ohm load, appropriate for use with SET amplifiers from 3 to 30 watts per channel. Each grand biancore155 measures 62"H x 8"W x 24"D and weighs 90 pounds. Finishes are said to be available in "natural high-quality veneers." Manufacturer's website
Statement-Level FM Listening from Magnum Dynalab June 9, 2005
"Studio-Quality Sound" at Home from JBL May 24, 2005
The Studio L Series includes three bookshelf monitors (L810, $550/pair; L820, $650/pair; L830, $650/pair), two floorstanding speakers (L880, $1398/pair; L890, shown right, $1398/pair), two dedicated center-channel speakers (LC1, $399 each; the wall-mountable LC2, $499 each) and a 12", 600-watt powered subwoofer (L8400P, $999 each). Audio in the Shadow of the Rocky Mountains May 19, 2005
The Rocky Mountain Audio Fest will be held at the Denver Marriott Tech Center Hotel, 4900 South Syracuse, from September 30-October 2. Show director Alan Stiefel says, "We have 78 [exhibitor] rooms now and will probably be in the mid-80s." Exhibitors have until July 31 to register. A Trio of High-Value Home-Theater Packages from Onkyo May 16, 2005
May 10, 2005 Danish speaker manufacturer Peak Consult says about its new flagship speaker, El Diablo ($75,000 per pair): "Countless hours of measurement and critical listening by many audiophile ears have gone into making the finest three-way loudspeaker available." The multifaceted cabinet of the El Diablo is constructed of 1"-3"-thick MDF and 1" of solid hardwood. Special resonance suppressers have been used in several key places inside each cabinet. A Scan-Speak 1" ring-radiator tweeter with a neodymium motor is used along with a single hand-built 5" Audiotechnology midrange and dual 9" Audiotechnology woofers created specially for El Diablo. The speaker's second-order crossover is constructed from hand-selected components and "with no consideration for cost." Stereovox cabling is used internally. Frequency response is quoted as 20Hz-45kHz and sensitivity as 94dB/W/m. El Diablo measures 45"H x 11 7/8"W x 21 1/2"D and weighs 188 pounds.
May 4, 2005 The SoundStage! Network's A/V Tour continues with coverage of High End 2005 from Munich, Germany. Visit the A/V Tour 2005 special show site beginning May 5 to see live coverage of the premiere consumer-oriented audio/video show in the world.
Onkyo Helps You Dock Your iPod May 3, 2005
Feature-Rich Preamp from Bryston
Options for Bryston's new BP-6 preamp include a moving-magnet phono stage, a digital-to-analog converter, and remote control. A headphone output is standard, as are four line-level inputs. According to Bryston, "All signal circuitry is fully discrete to avoid the compromises, phase shift and nonlinearities inherent in integrated circuits." Silver and black finishes are available. No price is currently set, but Bryston hopes the basic BP-6 will cost around $1700 when it is available next month. Unshielded Vector Interconnects from TARA Labs April 22, 2005
New "Universal" Amplifier from Goldmund April 18, 2005
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The Criterion
Collection is revered for its catalog of important films transferred to home-video formats
with the utmost attention to detail and care. Several titles from The Criterion Collection
are set for release on Blu-ray Disc beginning in October. The new editions will feature
high-definition picture and sound and all the supplemental materials of the DVD releases.
The Blu-ray releases will be priced to match Criterion’s standard-definition
releases.
MartinLogan's
New Spire
Oppo Digital's new DV-983H
($399) is billed as the company's best "and last" upconverting
CD/DVD-V/DVD-A/SACD player. As with other Oppo Digital players, the DV-983H is loaded with
significant features, including Anchor Bay’s latest Video Reference Series (VRS)
technologies, which are said to "generate a clearer, smoother, and true-to-life
picture free of artifacts." The DV-983H outputs 1080p video and 7.1-channel audio,
and it supports Kodak Picture CD, Windows Media Audio and other digital
audio/video/picture formats on CD and DVD. Its USB 2.0 interface lets users play content
from a USB drive. In addition to its video features, the DV-983H has a 24-bit/192kHz audio
DAC, and it supports Dolby Digital Surround EX decoding, in addition to other older
surround-sound formats. The DV-983H's HDMI audio output allows PCM and uncompressed
multichannel high-resolution audio output, greatly simplifying connection with the latest
A/V receivers.
Innovative Speaker
from NSR Sonic Research
According to a press
releases posted today on Toshiba's website, "following recent major changes in the
market," which presumably refers to studios and retailers who have decided to back
Blu-Ray Disc and not HD DVD, Toshiba has ceased development, marketing and sales of HD DVD
players and recorders. "Toshiba will begin to reduce shipments of HD DVD players and
recorders to retail channels, aiming for cessation of these businesses by the end of March
2008. Toshiba also plans to end volume production of HD DVD disk drives for such
applications as PCs and games in the same timeframe, yet will continue to make efforts to
meet customer requirements."
According to a
statement on Wal-Mart’s website, the US-based retailer will be phasing out HD DVD
titles from store shelves over the next two months and will sell Blu-ray Disc titles
instead. The move by Wal-Mart, which is the world’s largest retailer, represents
another major blow to the Toshiba-championed HD DVD format, whose decline started in
January when Warner Bros. Entertainment announced that the studio would ceasing production
of HD DVD titles, supporting the Blu-ray Disc format exclusively instead. Since then,
Netflix, the world’s largest online renter of video titles, has also announced that
it will be dropping HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray.
In the
Blu-ray-versus-HD DVD format war, the HD DVD side was dealt a devastating blow when, just
days before CES 2008, Warner Bros. Entertainment announced that they would be ceasing HD
DVD production and supporting only Blu-ray. That announcement was enough to turn the
tables in the long-fought feud, and now, just one month later, many more companies have
jumped on the Blu-ray bandwagon, with the latest being Netflix, the largest and most
influential online rental service for video titles. In an e-mail sent to subscribers on
February 11, 2008, the company announced the following:
Not Just Another
Two-Way Speaker from Canada
The phono section of Nagra's
PL-P preamp has been celebrated among audiophiles for over a decade. The Switzerland-based
company has just released a separate tube-based phono stage, the VPS ($5995), that's
modeled after the PL-P's, but it has "a considerable number of design enhancements
that take its performance to a much higher level." Chief among these are new
Nagra-designed and -built input transformers for MC cartridges, a newly optimized outboard
power supply, and a new cartridge-loading system with miniature plug-in boards. Six
standard loading options are provided, and custom loading options are available. Output is
selectable between low (0.3V) and high (1V) gain. The low-gain output derives its signal
directly from the tube gain stage, while the high-gain output uses a discrete solid-state
buffered stage. The VPS can accommodate cartridges with outputs as low as 0.1mV.
Aurum Acoustics has produced a
complete audio system that's as off the beaten path as its home in Newfoundland. The
Integris CDP/Active 300B system employs products specifically designed to work together.
The part of this system most often used with components from other makers is the Integris
CDP CD player/preamp ($13,500), which has recently undergone "analog circuit
improvements…using the latest in audio semiconductor technology" in keeping with
the company's goal of "continuous improvement…, expandability and
upgradeability." Enhancements were made to the CDP's DAC section, its preamplifier
outputs, and its analog-input circuitry. According to Aurum Acoustics, "The degree of
improvement eclipses that of any external upgrade possible such as upgrading cables or
amplifiers." Integris CDP owners should contact Aurum Acoustics for pricing of the
upgrade.
Silicon Optix has
released high-definition versions of the popular HQV Benchmark DVD. HD HQV
Benchmark ($20) is available from the HQV website in both Blu-ray and HD DVD
editions. The standard-definition DVD is also still available. 
The new DV-980H ($169)
continues Oppo Digital's tradition of offering universal audio/video players that are rich
with user features and compete with units several times their price. The DV-980H
upconverts standard-definition video all the way to 1080P for "Full HD" clarity,
and it has 7.1-channel audio capabilities as well as Dolby Digital Surround EX decoding.
The player supports CD, HDCD, DVD, DVD-A and SACD playback, making it a true all-in-one
digital audio source, and its HDMI 1.2a connection allows output of PCM and DSD digital
data. "Users can put their worry about the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray battle behind. Instead,
they can appreciate their music and DVD collections at a whole new level with an Oppo
player," said Jason Liao, vice president of product development at Oppo.
Summer
Against Hunger Commences
The Accustic Arts
Tube-DAC II ($10,500) is a true hybrid DAC that's billed as "the first of it's
kind." It features dual 32-bit DACs, a class-A power supply with 84,000uF of
capacitance, dual encapsulated toroidal transformers, and a heavy-gauge solid-aluminum
chassis. The two 12AX7WA/ECC83 tubes are individually selected and burned in for 100
hours. Both balanced and single-ended analog outputs are included, and there is a full
complement of digital inputs, including AES/EBU and S/PDIF RCA and BNC.
Incorporating technologies
from the Nautilus 800 series, B&W's new 600-series speakers are said to
"represent a significant step forward in this price class." Comprising four L/R
speakers, two center-channel speakers, two surround speakers, and three powered
subwoofers, the new 600 series has both stereo and home-theater enthusiasts covered.
Kevlar bass/midrange drivers and Nautilus tube-loaded aluminum-dome tweeters are featured
along with minimalist first-order crossovers made of premium-quality components selected
through extensive listening tests. B&W manufactures the entire 600 series in a
purpose-built factory in China. B&W managers and engineers have spent more than two
years supervising construction of this manufacturing plant and training the operating
staff. It is a B&W-owned and -managed facility.
New from Avalon: Indra
Do you read equipment reviews and say to
yourself, "I can do that." 
T.H.E. Show, a trade-and-consumer-oriented
event that runs concurrently with the Consumer Electronics Show in January each year, has
greatly increased the number of exhibit rooms offered with the addition of the entire
Alexis Park Hotel, which is adjacent to T.H.E. Show's regular home, the St. Tropez Hotel.
The Alexis Park was the site for the CES's High Performance Audio exhibits for more than a
decade, moving to the Venetian Hotel and Sands Convention Center in 2007.
The brainchild of AIX Records' head Mark Waldrep,
iTrax.com is a website where audiophiles and music enthusiasts can download true
high-definition music tracks -- not merely "upsampled" or "resampled"
CD-quality audio or compressed MP3. iTrax recordings were created at 24-bits and 88.2 or
96kHz sampling frequency and are offered as full-resolution downloads, some with
accompanying video. Multichannel mixes and alternate perspectives are also available, as
are compressed versions for those who want them. Per-track pricing varies from $.79 to
$1.99 based on the encoding type, number of channels and length.
March 20, 2007
Axiom Audio's new EP400 subwoofer ($1100) uses the same
DSP technology as the company's larger EP500 and EP600 subwoofers to deliver
"real-life volume levels with powerful bass extension that exhibits excellent
linearity." The EP400 uses a 500-watt internal amplifier with a long-throw 8"
driver and custom DSP algorithm to reach sound pressure levels as high as 116dB and as
deep as 23Hz from a 13.75"H x 10.5"W x 16.8"D enclosure -- barely taller
than Axiom's M3 minimonitor. The algorithm is programmed with the woofer's specific traits
and applies power from the amplifier to correct any potential deviations from ideally
smooth bass response. Because the digital code also contains the output and cone-excursion
limits of the driver and amplifier, the algorithm also protects the EP400 from being
overdriven.
Philips calls
the MCD980 all-in-one system ($599) a "DVD Micro Theater," but two prominent
features are sure to catch audiophiles' attention: vacuum tubes in the system's control
unit and ribbon tweeters in the speakers. The MCD908 is actually a stereo home-theater
system with DVD/CD playback and HDMI output. The speakers have lacquered real-wood veneer,
and the system's leatherback remote control has a precision-cut metal keypad. Delivery is
expected in the second quarter of this year.
JBL's new ES-series loudspeakers utilize technologies
employed in the company’s professional recording-studio monitors. These include an
ultra-high-frequency driver that extends frequency response to 40kHz, a titanium-laminate
tweeter, and JBL’s proprietary PolyPlas polymer-coated-cellulose-fiber woofers. The
ES-series speakers feature distinctive new styling -- tapered enclosures, a unified center
section, and a front baffle that curves into the top surface, accented by contrasting side
panels -- and will be available in a choice of finishes, including black with a platinum
center section, beech with a charcoal center, and cherry with a charcoal center.
The newest product from Lamm Industries is the ML3
Signature mono amplifier ($126,290 per pair), a two-chassis single-ended-triode design
that uses a direct-heated GM70 output tube to produce 32 watts. The fully class A ML3
Signature has no overall loop feedback, but has an option for introducing small amounts of
local feedback in the output stage. As with Lamm's ML2.1, contact points on the
amplifier's top are used for adjusting the output tube's plate current. The ML3 Signature
uses a custom-made output transformer along with a plethora of high-grade parts. Each amp
uses one 12AX7/ECC83, four 6N30P-DR, one GM70, and six 12AX3/12BE3 tubes. According to
Lamm, "The ML3 truly demonstrates what a properly designed single-ended amplifier can
do."
Well known for its dual-chassis digital players, EMM Labs
has announced the new CDSA SE ($9995), a single-box CD/SACD player that upsamples all
incoming CD audio to 5.6448MHz -- double the native DSD sampling rate. "CD now sounds
remarkably like SACD," according to EMM Labs. The CDSA SE makes use of Ed Meitner's
discrete dual-differential D-to-A conversion -- a proprietary DAC circuit that is
"free from the differential non-linearities present in every D/A chip created to
date." The unit also features the company’s new aerospace-grade composite
laminate circuit board, which is said to provide several performance advantages over
conventional circuit boards. "Basically, [the CDSA SE is] the sum of our collective
experience in digital audio wrapped in a single box," said company founder Ed
Meitner.
Britain's B&W Loudspeakers has added the new CM7
floorstanding speaker ($1800 per pair) to its previously introduced CM series, which
includes the CM1 minimonitor and CM Centre center-channel speaker. The CM7 uses a 1"
aluminum Nautilus-style tweeter, a 5" Kevlar midrange driver and a 6 1/2"
paper/Kevlar bass driver -- all proprietary to B&W. A true three-way design with a
first-order crossover, the CM7 features a cabinet made of 3/4"-thick MDF that comes
finished in a choice of three real-wood veneers: rosenut, maple and wenge. The CM7
measures 36"H x 8"W x 12 3/4D" and weighs 44 pounds. When you consider the
proprietary drivers, robust cabinet, real-wood veneer, and B&W's engineering prowess,
the CM7 appears to be a lot of speaker for a budget price.
German headphone
manufacturer Ultrasone AG has announced its Edition 9 headphones ($1500), which use
Ultrasone's finest titanium-plated drivers "to deliver astounding sonic clarity and
transparency." As with its other headphones, Ultrasone has incorporated its S-Logic
technology into the Edition 9, which reportedly reduces sound pressure to the eardrums by
40% while delivering a natural surround-sound effect. The Edition 9 headphones also reduce
electromagnetic field radiation, commonly associated with cell-phone use, by up to 98%.
Ethiopian sheep-leather earpads and headband pad ensure the listener's comfort. The
Edition 9 headphones come in a sleek metal attaché case for storage and transport.
Esoteric's new
SA-60 ($4500) plays audio from all discs commercially available today. It is a DV-60 (the
replacement for Esoteric's very successful DV-50 universal player) without any video
output. It will play CDs in stereo, and SACDs and DVD-As in multichannel or stereo. It
even plays the audio track from DVD-V discs. The SA-60 uses a proprietary transport
mechanism based on the design principles behind Esoteric's robust VRDS NEO, which clamps
the disc to improve data retrieval. The SA-60 is fully balanced and has four levels of
upconversion: Finite Impulse Response (FIR), Refined Digital Output Technology (RDOT),
FIR+RDOT, and Direct Stream Digital (DSD). This latter scheme allows the SA-60 to convert
PCM digital data to DSD, a feature that Esoteric uses for its statement-level P-03/D-03
transport and DAC.
The Klipsch Group,
Inc., parent company of Klipsch Audio Technologies and Jamo International, has acquired
Audio Products International, makers of Mirage, Energy, Athena Technologies, Spherex,
Sound Dynamics and Energy Pro speakers. API will continue independent operations with
strict attention paid to maintaining the character and personality of the company's
brands. According to Klipsch representatives, "The API purchase is another step in
the Klipsch Group's strategy to implement a major international expansion with established
and respected brands. The global loudspeaker market is $7 billion, and we see this
acquisition as another opportunity to expand our reach and serve all key markets and
channels with a very defined multi-brand growth strategy."
Eleventh
Annual Summer Against Hunger Commences
July 24, 2006
Anthem's new AVM 50 ($4699)
includes all of the features found in the award-winning AVM 30 and adds the
broadcast-quality digital video processing found in the Statement D2. Notable features
Anthem’s proprietary software, which works in conjunction with the Gennum VXP digital
image processor to convert any SD or HD video standard to other video standards up to a
resolution of 1920 x 1080p; video transcoding, which allows S-video and component video
inputs to be digitally processed and enhanced and then routed through the component video
and HDMI outputs; on-screen display of Setup, Status Update, and Video Processing menus
via component video and HDMI outputs; Macrovision support, which allows VCR tapes to be
processed and output through HDMI; and aspect-ratio conversion for letterbox and pillarbox
removal. As features are added or performance is enhanced in the future, Anthem will make
software/hardware updates available as they are introduced. Additionally, plans are
underway for all AVM 50 features to be made available as a factory upgrade for existing
Anthem AVM 20 and AVM 30 A/V processors.
Well-known for its
home-theater receivers and DVD players, Onkyo is poised to release two new stereo
products. The A-9555 integrated amplifier ($699) features Onkyo's fourth-generation VL
Digital amplifier technology, a unique implementation of hybrid class-D amplification that
delivers 100Wpc into an 8-ohm load with little heat. The A-9555 has inputs for up to seven
stereo sources, including two tape loops and a phono input. The DX-7555 CD player ($599)
features a Wolfson DAC with user-selectable profiles for either Sharp (flat up to 20kHz)
or Slow (gradual) high-frequency roll-off to suit different playback materials and user
preferences. The player features a super-precision clock circuit that has a tolerance of
just +/- 1.5 ppm. Additionally, users can manually adjust the clock frequency.
Paradigm's new PV-series in-wall/in-ceiling
speakers use a high-strength IRP injection-molded ribbed-polymer mounting system to
increase wall rigidity by "sandwiching" and strengthening the area around the
mounting hole. This is said to reduce unwanted resonances and standing waves, which are
always concerns with in-wall speakers. The new PV-150 ($149/pair) and PV-160 ($189/pair)
are rectangular two-driver, two-way speakers, and the PV-50R ($149/pair) and PV-60R
($189/pair) are round two-driver, two-way models with coaxially mounted tweeters. For
bass/midrange duty, the PV-50R and PV-150 have 5 1/2" mineral-filled polypropylene
woofers, while the PV-60R and PV-160 have similar 6 1/2" drivers. The speakers'
textured silk-dome tweeters with ferro-fluid cooling "promote clear, extended
response, with superb transparency and spaciousness." The new PV-series speakers come
in white with paintable grilles.
Twenty years ago David Wilson built his original WATT --
a high-resolution speaker used for location monitoring and never meant to be a commercial
product. Later, the WATT was paired with the Puppy, a dedicated passive subwoofer, and the
Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy was born.
Linn is one of very few audio companies that make
products comprising an entire A/V system. The company's new Majik CD player ($3500), Majik
Kontrol preamplifier ($3100), and Majik 2100 power amplifier ($2350) were built to be used
together and feature proprietary technology developed for top-of-the-line Linn products.
The Majik CD has technology derived from Linn’s critically acclaimed Sondek CD12
player, while the Majik 2100 uses Linn's proprietary Chakra amplifier technology. All
three new Majik products use Linn's proprietary Switch Mode Power Supply, which runs much
more efficiently and quietly than other power supplies. The Majik products can be used as
part of a Linn Aktiv or Knekt system.
New
Digital/Video Cable from Stereovox
Budget-Priced
Single-Driver Speaker
Tributaries'
SES 114TT four-channel video system is said to deliver an HD video signal up to 1080p
resolution via a single CAT5E cable with no degradation of signal quality. The system
includes the SES 114TT transmitter (shown right), which is about the size of a paperback
book, and the 110RW receiver, which is housed in an insert that fits a Tributaries wall
plate. The transmitter provides a conventional RCA-jack trio for component-video input and
offers four RJ-45 network-connector outputs. The transmitter is able to send the
component-video signal, whether high-definition or standard, to as many as four separate
destinations and over a distance of 500 feet. At each location, a 110RW receiver connects
to the CAT5E cable using snap-on terminations and provides component-video outputs via
three RCA jacks. The SES 114TT system can also be configured to send audio along with
video.
In conjunction
with an abundance of new DVD releases, Docurama, distributor of a vast catalog of
well-made and entertaining documentaries, has announced a convenient way to see and
discuss ten documentaries new to DVD: the Docurama Film Festival I. All Docurama Film
Festival I titles will be released on June 27 as individual DVDs costing $26.95 each,
giving Festival attendees the ability to build their own rosters, selecting the films to
which they’re most drawn. However, documentary aficionados interested in experiencing
all of the films will be able to purchase the full slate as part of an exclusive Platinum
package, which contains all ten films and the Film Festival I catalog, for a discounted
price of $229.95 -- a savings of 15%.
OM Design Debuts
March 27, 2006
March 21, 2006
March 17, 2006
Billed as taking "advantage of the digital audio
revolution, while delivering a stunning sonic performance," the Olive Media Products
Opus ($2999) is an audiophile CD player and media-storage device in one. With Opus, users
can play music from the unit's CD drive/burner or its 400GB hard drive (which is said to
hold up to 1100 CDs), back up CDs, burn custom CDs, and stream music via built-in Ethernet
and 802.11g connectivity. The 8x-oversampling Opus uses Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz DACs and
a temperature-controlled ultra-low-jitter master clock. The unit has independent power
supplies for the analog and digital sections along with integral EMI/RFI filtering. Opus
is designed and manufactured in the US. For a limited time, Olive Media Products is
offering free preloading of customers' CD collections.
Representing "the culmination of 25 years of Krell
design and manufacturing excellence," Krell's Evolution line of audio electronics has
grown by four products. Joining the Evolution One mono amplifier ($50,000) and Evolution
Two mono preamplifier ($40,000) are the Evolution 202 preamplifier ($15,000), Evolution
505 CD/SACD player ($10,000), and Evolution 402 stereo ($15,000) and 600 mono ($30,000 per
pair) amplifiers. Like its predecessor, the new Evolution 600 is a mono design, except
with its advanced power supply housed in the same chassis. Rated at 600 watts, the
Evolution 600 features Krell’s proprietary CAST (Current Audio Signal Audio
Transmission) circuitry, which utilizes current-gain topologies, allowing the signal to
remain in the current domain from input to output. The Evolution 402 is a 400Wpc stereo
amplifier featuring the same CAST circuitry as the 600. The Evolution 505 CD/SACD player's
chassis-in-a-chassis construction is said to provide "ultra-stable disc-drive
operation, while damping induced vibration from the electronics." The 505 features
Krell-designed DAC reconstruction filters, Evolution CAST balanced circuitry,
multi-channel output, and RS-232 control. The Evolution 202 stereo preamp utilizes a
separate chassis for its power supply and features bandwidth rated at 1.5MHz. It uses no
negative feedback.
True Minimonitor from B&W
The SoundStage! Network has learned that the Consumer
Electronics Association, which organizes and runs the Consumer Electronics Show each
January in Las Vegas, plans to move the "specialty audio" exhibits from the
Alexis Park Hotel to the Venetian in 2007. The Alexis Park has been home to the
high-end-audio exhibits since 1997. Before that, they were housed at the Sahara. The
Venetian, one of the Strip's largest hotels, opened in 1999 and housed some CES exhibits
in its convention center this year.
February 20, 2006
Ultra Systems, located in New Hope,
Pennsylvania, has been appointed the US importer and distributor for silver-gold fuses
manufactured by HiFi-Tuning of Berlin, Germany. Priced at $24.95 to $29.95 each, the fuses
are touted as a performance upgrade for high-resolution audio and video components. Each
fuse features gold-over-silver end caps and pure-silver wiring. The outer casing is
ceramic instead of glass. All commonly used values ranging from 100 milliamps up to 20
amps are available, as are both fast- and slow-blow types in 5 x 20mm and 6 x 31.8mm
sizes. Says Robert Stein, president of Ultra Systems: "We are proud to offer in North
America the magnificent silver/gold fuses from HiFi-Tuning in Germany. There have been
other so-called 'audiophile' fuses offered by other manufacturers in the past, but none of
those alternatives was as fully developed, or offer this level of performance
upgrade."
A New Reference from Gallo Acoustics
A New Frontier for New Audio
Frontiers
Manufactured in Limatola, Italy, Eventus Audio's
eye-catching speakers utilize two patented technologies: Simulated Anechoic Cabinet
Construction (SACC), which is said to resolve many of the problems with resonance and
reflection inside the cabinet; and Eventus Audio High Density Resin (EA-HDR), which forms
specially milled plates that are then bonded to each other to create the cabinet.
Floorstanding speakers, minimonitors and a center-channel speaker are currently part of
the Eventus Audio product line, which was debuted at the CES earlier this month.
Burmester Appoints New US Distributor
Billed as "the most powerful OTL
amplifier in the world," Transcendent Sound's The Beast is a mono amp that delivers
165W into 8 ohms and 115W into 4 ohms. The Beast's truly balanced input comes via a
top-quality input transformer, creating a floating differential input. The input stage
comprises a 12AX7 gain stage and phase splitter with stage voltage regulation. This is AC
coupled to a 12AT7 differential amplifier, which is also regulated. This circuitry
maintains simplicity while providing for the enormous low-distortion drive voltages needed
for high-power OTL operation. The Beast uses 16 EL519 output tubes arranged in vertical
pairs. If owners need less power and want less heat, they can remove half the tubes
without any circuit adjustments. Output impedance is quoted at 0.2 ohm, which allows The
Beast to drive virtually any speaker.
December 28, 2005
The Concord Music Group has announced the acquisition of Telarc
International Corporation, the Cleveland, Ohio-based jazz, blues and classical-music label
well known for the stellar sound of its recordings. In 1978, Telarc became the first label
to record digitally on a commercial basis and, in 1983, was one of the first to launch
compact discs in a joint effort with Sony Corporation. In 2004, Gramophone Magazine
named Telarc Label of the Year.
Outlaw Audio's RR 2150 "Retro Receiver" ($599)
is a two-channel AM/FM receiver whose art deco-inspired appearance is reminiscent of
classic table radios but whose performance and features place it among modern integrated
stereo components. It has a USB input for connection to PCs, a front-panel auxiliary input
for portable music players, and a digital AM/FM tuner. Power output is 100Wpc. The RR 2150
is reportedly the first stereo receiver to offer a subwoofer output along with analog bass
management, which together make it suitable for use with subwoofer/satellite speaker
systems.
Bryston's new SP2 C-Series surround-sound
preamp/processor ($4695) replaces the SP1.7 in the company's product line and has some
innovative features. The SP2's new Texas Instruments Aureus DSP chip provides seven times
greater processing power and a 6dB better noise floor than previous chips. The PS2 offers
7.1-channel processing from various two-channel sources including stereo analog,
24-bit/96kHz stereo digital decoding, and dynamic-range adjustment for each input. There
are independent subwoofer crossover points for front L/R, center, surround and back
speakers. The SP2 allows RS-232 software updates and DSP firmware updates via SP/DIF
digital input. Bryston plans to offer internal upgrades for existing SP1 and SP1.7
preamp/processors.
Summer Against Hunger Contributions
November 24, 2005
MartinLogan's New Vantage 
"True-Horn" Speaker from Gemme Audio
Vidikron's new Vision Model 90
high-definition projector ($19,995) is "specifically engineered to perform best in
more traditional, dedicated viewing environments," as opposed to large-scale
custom-built home theaters. The Vision Model 90 uses three DLP arrays with 1280 x 720
resolution and includes Vidikron’s Imagix video processing, which improves image
quality even from standard video sources and provides artifact-free scaling on
higher-resolution formats. The Vision Model 90 is capable of exceeding the Imaging Science
Foundation industry standards for video fidelity and accurate gray-scale tracking, and
four precision lenses allow use in rooms and with screens of widely varied size. Included
are multiple video inputs, IntelliWide video processing, multiple aspect ratio control,
two HDCP-compliant DVI inputs, three IR triggers, and an RS-232 interface for integration
with automation-control systems.
Anthem's Statement D2 surround-sound processor/preamp
($6500) draws on the company's success with the popular Statement D1 and adds
broadcast-quality digital video processing and format conversion. The Statement D2 uses
the Gennum GF9350 VXP Image Processor, whose fourth-generation image-processing algorithms
convert any standard-definition or high-definition video standard to other video standards
at up to 1920 x 1080p resolution. S-video and component video input are digitally
processed and enhanced and then routed through the D2's component video and HDMI outputs.
The D2's design allows for the use of much longer cables without degrading or losing the
video signal and also provides support for ultra-high-bandwidth 1080p/60Hz. Free software
upgrades will be available in the future to add even more features and enhancements to the
Statement D2, and Anthem plans to make D2 features available as factory upgrades (cost to
be determined) for existing Anthem AVM 20, AVM 30 and Statement D1 units.
Wilson Audio's new Sophia Series 2 loudspeaker
($13,990 per pair) is the product of technologies discovered in the development of the
company's Alexandria X-2, MAXX Series 2, and Duette speakers. A new tweeter is said to
reduce spurious noise artifacts generated in the rear of the driver and produce highs
"with greater air, sweetness, resolution, and an utterly grainless sense of
purity." The Sophia Series 2's new crossover addresses group delay noise, dubbed
"crossover jitter," caused by interaction between the low- and high-pass
filters. Finally, the Sophia Series 2 uses a recessed diffraction pad and a
stainless-steel-pin arrangement for attaching the grilles.
Onkyo's new TX-SR603X A/V receiver ($500) replaces the
company's best-selling TX-SR602 and adds XM Radio capability, enhanced compatibility with
Onkyo's iPod control dock, and increased power output -- all for the same price as the
model it replaces. With the TX-SR603X, consumers can subscribe to and receive 150
satellite radio channels after connecting one of the widely available XM Connect-and-Play
antennas. The TX-SR603X also includes an analog radio tuner and features 40 presets for
AM, FM, or XM stations. When the TX-SR603X is used with Onkyo's optional DS-A1 iPod dock,
the iPod becomes a source component for not only audio playback, but also for photography
stored in iPod photo units. The TX-SR603X features 7 x 90 watts of power, component video
upconversion with time base correction, 100 MHz component video switching, and automatic
speaker setup.
Unlike nearly all other UPS products on the market today,
which were originally designed for use with computer systems and networks, the Richard
Gray's Power Company PowerBridge ($2500) was built from the ground up exclusively for use
in audio/video systems. Unique to the PowerBridge is IntelliGray technology -- the ability
for the PowerBridge to "learn" the AC line and store data in memory to use as a
reference for determining if and when to switch to battery power. The PowerBridge samples
several hundred points of every cycle of the AC waveform in order to detect any abnormal
power fluctuations and switch to battery power "seventeen times faster than any other
UPS currently available." In addition, while in standby mode (waiting for a power
outage) the PowerBridge functions exactly as a Richard Gray's Power Company 600S,
providing clean, unrestricted parallel power via six Hubbell outlets. Performance is also
enhanced by a sine-wave output that is synchronous with the AC line when switching to and
from battery power. Convenience features include adjustments, alarms, and status settings
that are accessible via the PowerBridge's front-panel display, hot-swappable batteries
accessible via the front panel, and detachable rack-mount ears.
September 23, 2005
September 20, 2005
Linear LLC of Carlsbad, California has purchased Sunfire
Corporation of Snohomish, Washington, maker of loudspeakers, audio and home-theater
electronics, and subwoofers. Bob Carver, president of Sunfire, will remain with with
company. Linear is well known for its engineered radio-frequency (RF) products and is a
major supplier of wireless residential security systems, intercoms, garage door operators,
gate operators, short- and long-range radio remote controls, and medical/emergency
reporting systems. In recent years, Linear has used acquisition to expand into consumer
electronics, home-entertainment products, and structured wiring systems for the builder
market. Sunfire becomes the newest member of Linear's Home Technology Group, the company's
fast-growing family of consumer electronics companies, products, and brands. 
Audiophile recording label Reference
Recordings has announced that all the assets and rights to the label and its catalog of
recordings have been returned to the principals of the company and that plans are underway
to re-establish the label by early October of this year. Reference Recordings has signed
an exclusive distribution agreement for the US and Canada with Allegro Corporation and
Allegro Entertainment Canada Ltd. of Portland, Oregon. Allegro distributed Reference
Recordings releases prior to a failed merger with The Dorian Group. Export sales will
begin in October as well.
Meant as a companion to the Solo integrated audio
system, Arcam's new Alto speakers ($799 per pair) are a two-way front-ported design that
marries a 100mm glass-fiber mineral-loaded midrange/bass driver to a 25mm cotton-dome
carbon-loaded tweeter. Although the Alto's frequency response is stated as 60Hz-20kHz, the
Solo's bass-compensation circuit is said to help the Alto supply "solid and musically
satisfying bass response under a wide variety of domestic conditions." The Alto's
impedance is quoted as 4 ohms, and its sensitivity as 85dB/W/m. Both drivers are
magnetically shielded, and the grilles attach magnetically. The Alto is available in
cherry or maple finish.
Well known for its active digital
loudspeakers, Meridian has released a pair of new subwoofers that accept both line-level
analog and digital input with up to a 96kHz sampling rate. This allows the subwoofers to
be connected either to a digital surround controller or digital source with a digital coax
output, or to an analog preamplifier or surround controller with either RCA or XLR
outputs. The SW1600 ($3945) uses a single 12" high-efficiency long-throw custom bass
driver, while the SW5500 ($4995, shown right) uses two of these drivers in a single
enclosure. A class-G high-efficiency amplifier provides power. Both subwoofers are
constructed from 22mm MDF with bracing for the drivers' baskets and bitumen damping, and
finished with 6mm annealed glass top plates. Veneered MDF sides are bolted to the main
cabinet.
Audio Research's new Reference 210 mono amplifier
($19,990 per pair) follows the introduction earlier this year of the Reference 610T
monoblocks and takes the place of the discontinued Reference 300 Mk II and VTM200 amps.
Like the Reference 610T, the Reference 210 is based on a fully balanced, push-pull
vacuum-tube circuit running in partial cathode-coupling mode. It utilizes three matched
pairs of 6550C output tubes (along with a pair of 6550C driver tubes) to produce 210
watts. The input stage uses direct-coupled JFETs, followed by a 6N1P vacuum-tube
amplifying stage. Power-supply energy storage is 787 joules, three-quarters of that for
the Reference 610T. A small fan mounted on the rear panel runs continuously at a low speed
and is said to be "extremely quiet." Input is balanced only, while the output
has separate taps for 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm loads.
DK Design Group, whose VS.1 Reference hybrid integrated
amplifier has garnered much positive press, has been purchased by LSA Group of Louisville,
Kentucky, which is headed by industry veteran Larry Staples. Additionally, the owners of
Eichmann Technologies International have decided to retire from active business and have
sold the company to AMR net Pty Ltd. located in Brisbane, Australia. Eichmann Technologies
makes a number of products, including the well-known Bullet Plug RCA connector.
The new Reference 3 Subwoofer Amplifier ($900) from
Anthony Gallo Acoustics features a bridgeable stereo amplifier, a high-quality active
crossover and an equalization circuit in one chassis. While the Reference 3 SA can be used
in custom installations to control multiple passive subwoofers, one of its most obvious
uses is with Gallo's own Reference 3 loudspeaker, whose woofer has dual voice coils and
can accept a second equalized signal to extend the speaker's low-frequency response. The
Reference 3 SA has continuously variable EQ cut and boost from –3dB to +6dB, which
can extend bass response of the Reference 3 speaker to 22Hz. The Reference 3 SA is stable
down to 2 ohms in stereo and 4 ohms in mono, where it delivers 600 watts RMS.
Darren Hovsepian, the "DH" in DH
Labs, is well known for his fine-sounding interconnects and speaker cables, the majority
of which are meant for budget-conscious buyers. Audio Art's budget-priced IC-1 and IC-3
interconnects and SC-5 speaker cables are all designed for the company by Hovsepian. The
IC-3 and SC-5 use silver-coated oxygen-free-copper conductors, a DH Labs staple, while the
IC-1's conductors lack the silver coating. All three products have a PVC outer jacket, an
aluminum mylar shield, and foam PE insulation. Introductory pricing is available for all
three cables. The IC-1 is currently $45 per meter pair, the IC-3 is $89 per meter pair,
and the SC-5 is $95 per eight-foot pair. Audio Art cables are currently sold direct with a
30-day money-back guarantee.
According to a study recently released by the Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA), shopping for consumer electronics is gaining in popularity,
with online consumer-electronics shoppers reporting higher satisfaction with the purchase
process than those who visited traditional brick-and-mortar stores, citing convenience,
order accuracy, product variety, product availability and product information among the
top reasons. An average of 5% of all consumer-electronics purchases are made online, but
certain product categories -- personal computing, digital cameras, wireless home
networking devices and portable music players -- each sell more than 10% of product
through online channels. Online shoppers surveyed also reported better customer loyalty
than those who make purchases in person.
Part of Acrolink's Premium Series, the new
7N-A2070 interconnect ($995 per meter pair; $150 for each additional half meter) is a
pure-copper cable treated with Acrolink's Stressfree process to maintain uniformity of the
wire's crystalline structure. The conductor is insulated with Polyolefin, which, according
to Acrolink, "has the lowest available dielectric constant." The 7N-A2070's
sheath material is combination of ultra-high-density tungsten, amorphous metal and
graphite granules that together efficiently eliminate unwanted resonance within the cable.
The 7N-A2070 is available with RCAs or XLRs. Both connectors have hollow, iron-free,
deoxidized phosphor-bronze center pins polished to a mirror finish and plated with
rhodium. The RCA connector is fitted with a carbon-fiber sleeve that further controls
resonance and interference, while the outer casing of the XLR connector is machined from
solid brass to provide extra weight and suppress contact resonance.
Linn's new Komponent speaker line comprises four models
ready for home-theater or stereo use. The Komponent 110 floorstander ($1150 each), 104
minimonitor ($500 each) and 106 L/C/R speaker ($1000 each) are the first speakers to use
Linn’s new 2K array technology, which houses the high-frequency drivers in a
dedicated alloy chassis. This isolates them from the rest of the loudspeaker, "to
create a wonderfully clean and pure high-frequency reproduction." The speakers can be
used in Linn's Aktiv configuration, where a single amplifier channel is dedicated to each
driver through an active crossover. Linn calls the Komponent 120 subwoofer ($1500) an
"Active Bass-Reinforcement loudspeaker." At only 20cm tall it can be positioned
under furniture, or mounted on the wall or ceiling "without compromising the delivery
of tight, controlled bass performance." Komponent cabinets are constructed
"using a unique aluminum extrusion which features advanced damping materials."
High-Sensitivity Speakers from Poland
Billed as "the world's best FM
tuner," the new Magnum Dynalab MD109 ($8500) uses four tubes in its audio section --
Amperex Bugle Boys in the gain stage and JAN Philips tubes in the following stage -- and a
power supply that is said to be free of "ripple, transients and mysterious
high-frequency noises" and has a "level of purity as close to a direct battery
supply as imaginable." The MD109’s new eight-stage Varactor tuned front-end is
"unequaled in its ability to receive and replicate a pure FM signal." It
features three stages of IF selection, and you can choose the setting that allows the most
enjoyable listening regardless of the reception conditions. An automatic gain control
ensures that the tuner will optimize RF performance no matter the strength of the input
signal. The MD109 has a touch-screen interface and remote control, but precise station
tuning is also possible via two prominent knobs.
JBL's new Studio L Series speakers are said to
incorporate "a host of design innovations and technologies directly derived from the
company's professional recording-studio monitors." A key Studio L Series innovation
is a newly developed ultra-high-frequency driver that is said to provide "extended
frequency response to 40kHz." The driver element, which operates in conjunction with
a specially designed horn, utilizes a voice coil mounted directly to a Mylar diaphragm.
The ultra-high-frequency driver is complemented by a tweeter that employs a dome formed
from a single, lightweight, rigid titanium sheet. The woofers and midrange drivers used in
the Studio L Series speakers utilize JBL's proprietary PolyPlas
polymer-coated-cellulose-fiber cone material, which reportedly "combines the sonic
neutrality of paper with the added rigidity and damping of the PolyPlas treatment to
attenuate cone resonances, provide a smooth frequency response with faster transients, and
allow higher playback levels without distortion." JBL Studio L Series loudspeakers
feature cabinets that are said to be significantly improved from previous models, with
thicker walls and a driver baffle board made from 1"-thick MDF.
In contrast to the recent Home Entertainment show held in
New York City, with its corporate oversight and high exhibitor costs, the Rocky Mountain
Audio Fest, which will be held in Denver, offers affordable rates for demonstration and
sleeping rooms and a more informal, relaxed atmosphere for exhibitors and attendees.
Denver has an active audio community, no doubt fueled by the many audio manufacturers
located in the area, making the city a good place to hold a consumer-based audio show.
Three new home-theater packages from Onkyo
include similar receivers and speakers but differ in their configurations: either 5.1,
6.1, or 7.1 channels. The 5.1-channel HT-S580 ($300) features a 100Wpc receiver that
includes 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters for all channels and a 32-bit DSP
engine that is fully compatible with Dolby Digital and DTS multichannel audio. The
receiver also features Dolby ProLogic II and DTS Neo:6 processing. The HT-S580's front L/R
and surround speakers feature a 3 1/8" woofer and 3/4" tweeter. The system's
center-channel speaker uses a pair of 3 1/8" woofers flanking a single tweeter. Deep
bass is handled by an 8" subwoofer that is powered by one of the receiver's channels.
The 6.1-channel HT-S680 system ($400) uses a 100Wpc receiver that's similar to the one
used for the lower-priced system but includes 5.1-channel analog inputs. The speakers are
the same as those used for the HT-S580 system. The HT-S780 (shown, $500) is a 7.1-channel
system that uses a 7 x 110Wpc receiver with three component video inputs and one output
that are capable of switching high-definition video sources. Three optical and one coaxial
digital audio input, and 5.1-channel analog audio inputs are included as well. The front
L/R speakers each feature a pair of 5 1/4" OMF (Onkyo MicroFiber) cone woofers and a
high-quality 1" dome tweeter, while the center-channel speaker uses two 4" OMF
woofers and the same tweeter. The four surround speakers are two-way designs with 4"
woofers.
Peak Consult Debuts El Diablo
High End 2005 Coverage Begins May 5
Onkyo has introduced the DS-A1 remote interactive dock
($100) to provide integration of iPod audio playback and photo display with Onkyo
home-entertainment systems. The DS-A1 adds the ability to operate key control functions
using the receiver's remote control. This allows the iPod to function as if it were a home
CD player or other source component. Because DS-A1 employs Onkyo's RI system, which
enables users to operate an entire system of the company's components with a single remote
control, the DS-A1 is backwards-compatible with most of the Onkyo components manufactured
in the past decade. The DS-A1 RI is compatible with third- and fourth-generation iPods,
iPod photos, and iPod minis. The Onkyo DS-A1 has a white finish that matches most iPod
models and includes all necessary cabling.
April 26, 2005
TARA Labs' new RSC Vector line consists of
unshielded interconnects that, according to designer Matthew Bond, "outperform
everything in their price category and most of those above." Unlike with many
interconnects, which use a pair of conductors laid side by side or twisted around one
other, RSC Vector conductors are designed to cross over and around one another at specific
angles. TARA Labs has used advanced computer modeling to determine mathematically the
grouping of conductors and spacer rods that would optimize the electrical characteristics
of the cable. "It's a way of positioning conductors relative to one another that
actually rejects RF and electromagnetic interference, the stray energy that modulates the
signal and causes distortion," says Bond. There are two interconnects currently in
the Vector series, the Vector 1 ($295 per meter pair) and Vector 2 ($195 per meter pair),
with Vector speaker cables planned for release this fall.
The Telos 600 mono power amplifier ($22,900
each) delivers 600 watts via Goldmund's JOB 5 amplification circuit. In addition to the
traditional analog inputs, the Telos 600 will also accept digital S/PDIF input and
provides S/PDIF output. The Telos 600 is said to have an ultra-wide bandwidth (DC-3Mhz)
and feature extremely low time distortion and "very accurate transient
reconstruction." The Telos 600 achieves its very high power from ten separate
high-speed transformers and 40 specially designed ultra-low-impedance capacitors and newly
designed MOSFETs. The Telos 600's "revolutionary" protection circuit uses no
output relay and exhibits an incredibly short 10-nanosecond response time. 