Audio Video News

Home Entertainment 2001 arrives in New York this week for three days, May 11-13, at the Hilton Hotel & Towers. There will be more than 80 rooms stuffed with the latest high end audio and video gear, including dozens of brand new products. For more information about the show, go to the HE 2001 web site.

Acoustic Dreams—High-end loudspeaker manufacturer will introduce several new products at the Home Entertainment Show. These include newly redesigned VAIC reference-level mono tube amps, exclusive level-integrated amps, new VAIC speakers, and the exciting Lumen White WhiteLight loudspeaker. In addition, they will unveil newly designed equipment racks, custom-built to customers' specifications equipment racks with built-in anti-vibration devices.

AIX Records—New DVD-Audio/Video Sampler Disc contains 14 new tracks recorded, mixed, and mastered at 24 bitts/96kHz in 5.1-channel surround sound. It is compatible with DVD-Audio and DVD-Video players and includes Dolby Digital MLP and DTS audio. Other features included are: alternative mixing POVs (stage and audience), multiple camera-angle video of recording session, comprehensive setup info/test tones/demos about the DVD format.

Also introducing Johannes Brahms' Piano Quintet in F Minor O.34, on DVD- Audio/Video. The performance, by Delores Stevens and the Ives String Quartet, was captured in 16 channels at 24 bits/96 kHz and includes multiple camera-angle video and alternative mixes (stage and audience) of this high-resolution recording.

Balanced Audio Technology—New modular zero-feedback multichannel power amplifier. The stunning design can be configured from two to six channels, each channel being a true 200W monoblock. Also showing a preamplifier-processor.

Bitlink Technology—Introducing a new home theater in a box system with patented co-point coaxial speakers with crisp clean sound, packaged with internally amplified DVD player. System plays DVD/CD/CD-R/MP3. Also showcasing a digitally amplified DVD player and a new automobile indash DVD player with AM/FM tuner.

Coincident Speaker Technology—The new Victory loudspeaker will be demonstrated to the public. The company says it is an "all-out assault on the state-of-the-art, high- sensitivity, high-impedance loudspeaker.

EgglestonWorks—High-end loudspeaker manufacturer, known for the unequaled performance of their music systems, plans to showcase their new Savoy Reference Series loudspeaker system and introduce a new entry-level subwoofer.

Headroom Corporation—Introducing the world's first balanced headphone amplifier.

JVC—The Extended Resolution Compact Disc (XRCD) by JVC is the highest-quality CD currently available. The result of more than two years of research by an international team of JVC producers and engineers.

Key Digital Systems—New two channel component video and audio switcher, the AutoSwitch2; and new ClearColor 2 input-to-component output video adapter with VGA loop-through. Converts VGA signal from set-top boxes and personal computers to component signal for use with HDTV-ready monitors. In addition, ClearColor 2 has a VGA loop-through feature that allows simultaneous monitoring of VGA input. The ClearVideo 2 also converts component signals for HDTV set-top boxes or progressive scan DVD players to VGA signals to drive two high-resolution monitors with VGA inputs.

Kimber Kable—New PowerKords, using UL listed parts and a special copper optimized for 120V AC wall voltage, as well as a special conductor dielectric that is devoid of power-robbing color doping.

Marantz America—Introducing a new 42-inch diagonal widescreen plasma monitor with 16:9 aspect ratio; a new receiver with THX EX/Dolby Digital/DTS 6.1/HDCD, and a new progressive scan DVD-Video player with component-video output.

MartinLogan—The leader in development and production of the world's most accurate loudspeaker transducer, the Patented CLS (curvilinear line source) electrostatic panel, will showcase a new reference loudspeaker system, called the Odyssey.

Polk Audio—This show will be the world premiere of a new line of high-end loudspeakers offering audiophile performance and bold styling. In addition, Polk will introduce two new Digital Solutions home-theater-in-a-box systems.

Reference Recordings—This esteemed independent record label, dedicated to the highest standards of recording art and technology, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. As part of the celebration, the company has created special reissues of some of their most popular titles, re-mastered with HDCD from the original analog tapes.

These recordings were produced and engineered by RR's multiple-Grammy-nominated team of J. Tamblyn Henerson, Jr. and Keith O. Johnson, who have made Reference Recordings the "reference" standard with their creation and use of innovative recording, mastering, and pressing techniques.

Stricktly Sousa—Conductor Jerry Junkin and the Dallas Wind Symphony. Recorded in the big, bold acoustics of the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. This disc captures "Prof." Keith Johnson's most brilliant HDCD sound.

Baroque Favorites—a 2-CD set with Tafelmusik Canada's premier original-instrument Baroque orchestra, and the Helicon Ensemble, featuring many pre-eminent musicians in the early-music field, including violinists Jaap Schroder and Stanley Ritchie.

Chicago Pro Musica—The Medinah Sessions—2-CD set. These recordings have long been considered some of RR's very best work, and have enjoyed great critical success. This disc will be available June 1, 2001.

Richard Gray's Power Company—New AC Line Enhancer for entire home-theater system. Patented technology increases image depth, black level, and color/fidelity for video projectors and plasma and direct-view monitors. It also squelches line noise without the use of current-limiting devices so it can power large amplifiers and powered subwoofers.

Sakura Systems—P Tracer CD transport—Junji Kimura's dream machine. The ultimate CD transport from 47 Labs.

SIM2 Séleco USA—Introduces a new single-chip DLP home-theater projector. The new HT200DM is the latest addition to SIM2's award-winning series of Grand Cinema Home Theater projectors. It is designed to match the 16:9 widescreen standard and provides two different resolution modes, selectable by remote control: 16:9 widescreen standard with a resolution of 848x480 pixels, and 4:3 with a resolution of 800x600 pixels. This model also features a new 6-segment color wheel to further improves the colorimetry of the image displayed.

Smart Theater Systems—The company that manufactures the world's largest product line of professional cinema sound products for movie theaters around the world is introducing two new audio power amplifiers designed for high-end audiophile consumers. Dubbed "The Stainless-Steel Stradivarius" for their unique stainless-steel top covers and steel bottom chassis, the 2X150VT features a dual-triode vacuum-tube input for a warm "tube" sound, and the new 2X150 has a solid-state input for superior electrical specifications. Both models feature patented MOSFET output designs and offer the best transient response and high damping factor for extremely accurate playback of recordings.

Sony—introduces new SACD and DVD players along with a variety of other high fidelity and display products.

Totem Acoustic—New Wind and Hawk home loudspeaker systems.