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AV Receiver Reviews
Yamaha Aventage RX-A2050 A/V Receiver Review
Mark Fleischmann  |  Apr 20, 2016

Audio Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $1,600

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Aventage step-up build quality
Multiroom MusicCast
Minus
So-so room correction

THE VERDICT
The Yamaha RX-A2050 gives Dolby Atmos and DTS:X the step-up Aventage advantage with nine amplifier channels supporting 5.1.4, and it adds the sweetener of way-cool multiroom MusicCast.

Is nine the new seven? I’m talking about amp channels. Not long ago, nine-channel receivers were rare and supported relatively exotic surround modes that few people used. But Dolby Atmos bids to change the status quo by adding two to four height channels. A seven-channel receiver can support two height channels. A nine-channel receiver can support four height channels, which opens up possibilities for elevated panning in the top of the surround bubble, front to back and diagonally as well as side to side. In addition to that distinction between 5.1.2 and 5.1.4, there are other variations, such as two front-heights with two back-surrounds (7.1.2).

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Pioneer Adds 2 Budget AV Receivers to 2016 Lineup
SV Staff  |  Apr 20, 2016
Pioneer today announced the addition of two AV receivers to its 2016 lineup: the 7.2-channel VSX-1131 ($600) and 5.2-channel VSX-831 ($450).
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Emotiva Announces “Affordable High-End” Electronics Line
SV Staff  |  Apr 20, 2016
Emotiva Audio has announced a line of amplifiers and stereo preamp/tuners designed to deliver “audiophile power and performance at price points that allow a far larger segment of the market to enjoy high-end audio.”
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Other Tech
What You Need to Know About Hi-Res Audio
SV Staff  |  Apr 19, 2016
Trying to get a handle on Hi-Res Audio and how it relates to your enjoyment of music? Get answers to frequently-asked questions.
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A/V Veteran
What HDR Means for Color and Luminance
Thomas J. Norton  |  Apr 19, 2016
What’s a “nit” and what’s it have to do with what you see on your TV screen as we enter the Age of High Dynamic Range (aka HDR) video.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Vizio Introduces E- and M-Series SmartCast TVs
SV Staff  |  Apr 19, 2016
Vizio today introduced the SmartCast E-Series and M-Series 4K/Ultra HD (UHD) TVs, featuring app control, built-in Google Cast plus Dolby Vision high-dynamic range (HDR) capability in the case of the more upscale M-Series.

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Signals
Cassettes, Really?
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Apr 19, 2016
I am sorry. Only certain people will be allowed to read this column. To ensure that you are qualified, you must first correctly answer this question: What is the relationship between cassettes and pencils? If you can answer that, feel free to read on. If you can’t, please move on.

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Audio Video News
Denon Adds Bluetooth and Hi-Res Audio to Heos
SV Staff  |  Apr 19, 2016
Denon today announced that it is adding Bluetooth and Hi-Res Audio capability to its Heos wireless multiroom music system. Moving forward the updated Heos models will carry the designation HS2; previous generation Heos models are being discontinued but are fully compatible with their updated counterparts.
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Portable Player Reviews
Astell & Kern AK Jr Music Player Review
Mark Fleischmann  |  Apr 18, 2016

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
A&K’s most affordable player
Same Wolfson DAC as in classic models
Flatter form factor
Minus
DSD converted to PCM
Less than intuitive GUI

THE VERDICT
The Astell & Kern AK Jr is the least expensive music player from the company that has defined the state of the art in pocketable audio.

Visit the Apple Website and scan the banner across the top: Mac, iPad, iPhone, Watch, TV, Music, Support. Where’s the iPod? You’ll have to hit Music and scroll down a bit for the link to the iPod page. There you’ll find the surviving touch, nano, and shuffle players, but no high-capacity hard-drive-based models or even the iconic click wheel. Apple (and to be fair, Apple isn’t alone) recognizes that most people now use phones for onthe-go listening.

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Audio Video News
Amazon to Offer Monthly Prime Video Option
SV Staff  |  Apr 18, 2016
Amazon is dropping the requirement that you have to sign up for a year to access its Prime membership services and taking aim at Netflix by adding a subscription option that will offer Prime Video as a standalone service at $8.99 a month, according to a CNN Money report.
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