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CES 2011
Bryston Divides Music Server Workload
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
The BDP-1 Player, as Bryston calls it, does not include a hard drive or streaming capability. Instead, taking a high-performance approach to the music serving process, it accepts high-res music files via digital in and feeds digital out to the Bryston BDA-1 DAC. Player at top, DAC at bottom. Pricing: $2150 each.
CES 2011
Onkyo Shows DTS Neo:X in 9.1
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
While DTS was industriously showing the 11.1-channel version of its Neo:X technology at South Hall, Onkyo was demoing the same technology at the Venetian, but in more low-key way, and with a mere 9.1 channels (5.1 plus back-surround and height, no width). We can't explain why, but it sounded better, even with the same demo material. The guy in the pic must have agreed as he slowly levitated into the air, somehow drawn to the height channels like a moth to flame, and spontaneously combusted.
CES 2011
D'Agostino Wins Coveted HT Blog Cosmetics Prize
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
We're pleased to announce that the D'Agostino Momentum monoblock amp has won the Home Theater 2011 CES Blog's Award for Distinguished Achievement in Cosmetics. It sounded good too, but man, look at that thing. It is the first product from Dan D'Agostino's new company -- you may remember him as Mr. Krell.
CES 2011
Parasound Preamp Has Home Theater Pass-Thru
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
For folks who don't want to keep their two-channel and multi-channel rigs in separate rooms. You can see how that works. Parasound also showed two five-channel amps, the 250-watt Model 5250 ($2800) and the 150-watt Model 5125 ($1900). Both are THX Ultra2 certified and have dual toroidal power supplies.
CES 2011
JBL Horns In
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
While it wasn't new, and didn't have the ultimate refinement of the Revel/Levinson system playing in the adjacent room, the imaging of JBL's massive horn-loaded Synthesis 1400 was striking and endlessly engaging. With two of these, you don't need a center speaker. With Mark Levinson electronics, the system weighed in at $44,500.
CES 2011
More on JBL
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
Here's the skinny on the JBL/Levinson system mentioned above.
CES 2011
Revel Does Ellis in Style
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
The Revel Ultima2 Salon2 speakers were driven by Mark Levinson electronics. Nothing new here either, but with a simple piano-bass-drums recording featuring Ellis Marsalis (not even an SACD, just a CD) the system sounded so natural we could have sat there all day. Total pricing just south of $122,000.
CES 2011
Meridian Makes Good on CEDIA Promises
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
The products Meridian promised at CEDIA 2010 are realities. They include the Media Core 200 (shown) whose "more accessible" $4000 price point will probably make you want to fling a whole bunch of these 500GB babies around your well appointed home. It combines Sooloos media server software with iWhatever or computer input, and we're not being sarcastic when we say that's a winning combination. Also shown were the Media Core 200 stereo preamp ($3000) with the DSP3200 powered speakers. The former includes a stereo width control: key in how far apart your speakers are, and it'll make the distance seen even wider (in a good way). After all, real people don't always put their speakers where they should go.
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CES 2011
Thiel SCS4T Now Shipping
Mark Fleischmann  |  Jan 06, 2011  |  First Published: Jan 07, 2011
That's it in the middle. As we've previously reported, it's the floorstanding big brother of the SCS4 stand-mount (left) with a slightly different crossover and outrigger feet that make it stable even in a house full of rocketing toddlers. Price $3690/pair.
CES 2011
(Mostly) Wireless 3D
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 06, 2011
IOGEAR took the wraps off a prototype of a Wireless 3D Media Kit that can wirelessly stream HD video and audio up to 100 feet and supports full HD 3D video with resolutions up to 1080p (24/30/60 fps) along with 5.1-channel digital audio. The transmitter includes four HDMI inputs, one composite, one component, and one USB. The receiver has one HDMI output and one USB port. The USB ports are to be used with wireless keyboards (which IOGEAR also happens to make). The receiver also has built-in IR that allows control of hidden source devices. Each transmitter can support up to four receivers. Price for one kit (includes one transmitter and one receiver) is projected to be under $500 when it begins shipping sometime in June of 2011.

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