LATEST ADDITIONS

CEDIA 2009
NAD Intros Modular Receivers and Pre-Pro
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
Three new receivers and one preamp-processor from NAD use a modular construction that allows enhanced performance, features, flexibility, upgradability, and simplified service. The pre-pro is the M15HD. It's "music first" design philosophy will ensure that no audiophile is left behind. Modular construction will allow customizing. Available modules will include Audyssey MultEQ, Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ, Sigma Designs VXP image processing (2048 x 2048 pixels), and onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD, DD+, and both varieties of DTS-HD. Other features include four HDMI repeaters, dynamic headroom scaling for optimium resolution, an S/N program for all program and decoding combinations, digital tone controls with a center "dialog" setting, separate power supplies for digital and analog, and a switch-mode linear power supply with Figure 8 transformer. The new T 785 receiver has the same Sigma video processor. That and the T 775 have the the same desirable Audyssey features. Prices: M15HD, $4499; T 785 (pictured), $3999; T 775, $2999; and T 765, $2499. Shipping end of September.
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CEDIA 2009
Windows 7 to Include Dolby Digital Plus
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
We've got some good news and some hmmm news. The good news is that Windows 7, the not-as-lame-as-Vista operating system now slithering out of Microsoft, will be compatible with Dolby Digital Plus, the newest and hippest of Dolby's lossy audio codecs. The hmmm news is that Windows 7 does not support lossless Dolby TrueHD. At least yet. We say yet not because Dolby said anything about it but because we are incurable optimists who believe in the perfectibility of humanity. Hey Steve Ballmer, when you're done changing your shirt to get rid of those obvious sweat stains, how about supporting lossless surround in your next OS?
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CEDIA 2009
Speakercraft Invites Further Rock Puns
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
Speakercraft keeps rocking & rolling with an entirely overhauled rock-speaker line. What better name than the Ruckus? The five models, in granite- or sandstone-like finishes, will have a durable UV and weather-resistant lacquer coating over a reinforced color-matched polyresin enclosure. Chip it and it still looks like a rock. Along with five-, six-, and eight-inch versions there will be a dual-tweeter model that plays stereo out of a single enclosure. Ruckus 5, $225; Ruckus 6, $275; Ruckus 8, $450; Ruckus DT, $350; Ruckus Sub, $999 (prices per single speaker).
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CEDIA 2009
Yamaha Reinvents AVR as Media Controller
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
Yamaha's neoHD media controllers creatively reinvent the audio/video receiver for the new media age. The YMC-700 ($800) adds wi-fi, Rhapsody, internet radio, and iTunes/AAC compatibility to the less full-featured YMC-500 ($600). Notice the distinctive look. These media controllers are designed to make it as easy to pull music or photos off a PC as it is to play a disc. Review of the YMC-700 forthcoming.
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CEDIA 2009
Jamo Targets Install Market
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
The new goods from Jamo are all for custom installation. All have paintable metal grilles. In-ceiling models include the IC 406, $449/pair; IC 608, $699/pair; IC 610 LCR, a three-way LCR ideal for multi-room use ($424/each); and IC 610 SUR, a three-way dipole with two 1.5-inch mids and two 1-inch silk domes ($474/each, shown). For in-wall use Jamo offers the IW 408 ($549/pair), a three-way speaker with pivoting tweeter, ideal for both multi-zone and home theater use.
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CEDIA 2009
Mirage Explores the Virtues of Compactness
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
Two new satellite/subwoofer sets from Mirage include the MM-8, a sleek little cube with a high-gloss black finish hand-sanded to perfection (says here). The accompany sub has an eight-inch woofer and dual passive radiators. Price: $800 for the package. Mirage also plans to show the MX Home Theater System, with five palm-size speakers, reviewed in our print counterpart.
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CEDIA 2009
AudioControl Bows Maestro M3 Pre-Pro
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
If you want to extend a/v signals over Cat5 or Cat6 wiring, the Active Balanced Outputs of the AudioControl Maestro M3 pre-pro will do that for you. It has both XLR and RCA outputs and five HDMI inputs. The video scaler is "broadcast quality." Of course you'll get HDMI 1.3 and all the latest lossless and other codecs from Dolby and DTS. Oh, and there's a moving magnet phono input. That's the dealmaker for us! Pictured with the Pantages G3 power amp. Maestro price: approximately $6000 when sold through custom installers.
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CEDIA 2009
Energy Remains Energetic
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
The news from Energy concerns a tower and a center speaker. The RC-70 tower ($1100/each) has two 6.5-inch ribbed elliptical surround woofers and an aluminum dome tweeter, ideal for medium to large rooms. Available finishes are rosenut and black ash. The RC-Mini center ($275) has dual 4.5-inch ribbed elliptical surround woofers and the same tweeter and is available in rosenut, cherry, or black lacquer finishes.
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CEDIA 2009
Phase Technology Is in the Running
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
Remember the Phase Technology PC3.0 Soundbar we reviewed earlier this year? It's a finalist for the CEDIA Best Awards. Just thought we'd mention that.
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CEDIA 2009
Russound Girds for Height
Mark Fleischmann  |  Aug 27, 2009
New additions to the Acclaim 7 speaker series (a name that pretty much makes critics obsolete) include speakers especially tuned for the new Dolby Pro Logic IIz listening mode. In case you've been living in a cave over the past several months, DPLIIz is one of two new height-enhanced post-processing modes, along with Audyssey's DSX. Guaranteed to make rain sound rainy. The models in question are the single-point stereo 7W51SFT and left-right stereo 7W52FT and both fit a 5.25-inch driver into a 7.25-inch square cutout area. Pricing TBA. Acclaim 7 speakers in general include LCR, in-wall, and in-ceiling models, the latter with Twist and Tilt.
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