Audio / Separates
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Wednesday, 19 March 2008 |
 Emotiva Audio is refreshing their entire lineup in 2008. The first of two new pre/pros, the Emotiva UMC-1 (formerly designated LMC-2) will be shipping this June instead of April, as previously anticipated.
Early April we receive the final code set and chips from
Cirrus. Advance prototypes should be finished in 10 days to 2 weeks
after the chip delivery. Approvals from Dolby and DTS will be ongoing
during final testing which should take roughly 2 to 3 weeks. Once it is
fully tested and has all approvals production can begin and will take 7
to 10 days. Then it will take about 3 weeks by fast boat to get them
here (yes, believe it or not the fast boat takes 3 weeks). Once it
arrives in port then we have another 3 days for customs approval and 7
days by overland carrier to our warehouse. So the bottom line is we now expect to ship them June.
The Emotiva UMC-1 will offer 4 HDMI inputs, 1 HDMI output, 4 each composite and s-video, and 3 component inputs. All analog video sources can be upscaled and output over HDMI. The UMC-1 will also sport a DVI and a VGA input. The UMC-1 also will feature auto room correction, and an AM-FM tuner. A full color OSD via HDMI will provide the interface for users to custom tailor their settings. The Emotiva UMC-1 will also support all advanced audio codecs. Those interested in snagging a UMC-1 will want to pre-order. The initial run is set to sell for $699, but according to Dann, component prices have risen 25%, so we're sure to see a higher asking price after that first shipment is sold. |
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Friday, 01 February 2008 |
 Krell Industries will soon be shipping their new 8.4 channel Evolution 707 pre/pro.
The Krell Evolution 707 is an HDMI 1.3 compliant device that supports all advanced audio codecs. The laundry list of features includes four HDMI 1.3 inputs, one HDMI 1.3 output, 7.1 channel analog inputs, four toslink and four digital coax inputs with one each for output, fully balanced and unbalanced outputs, analog bypass, 1080p video scaling, separate power supplies for digital and analog signal paths, RS-232, ethernet, 12v triggers, (1-in 4-out), a whopping 350MHz bandwidth for the video signal path, all packed in a brushed aluminum chassis.
The Krell Evolution 707 packs an impressive feature set, as a high end flagship pre/pro should. The status of owning a Krell Evo707 will only set you back $25,000. The Krell Evolution 707 pre/pro ships this quarter. |
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Monday, 28 January 2008 |
 Musical Fidelity has added a "supercharged" version of their Musical Fidelity Supercharger, the Musical Fidelity 750K Supercharger.
The Musical Fidelity Supercharger is designed to be used inline, between your amplifier and loudspeakers. The new 750K Supercharger will boost your existing system to over 750 watts per channel with 8 ohm loudspeakers, and over 1000 watts per channel with loudspeakers that present a 4 ohm load. The 750K boasts a pants-wetting 260 amps of peak current capacity, so fans of large orchestral works will get dynamics in spades. Keep your children and pets away from the back of this thing though.
The Musical Fidelity 750K Supercharger will be available in late February, and will set you back right around $5,000.
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Friday, 25 January 2008 |
 Component maker B&K has quietly slipped three class D 2 channel amps onto their website, the B&K AV 30.2, the B&K AV 60.2 and the B&K AV 100.2.
The three amps all share the same form factor, a diminuitive 2.5"x5.44"x9.25". The 100 watt B&K AV 100.2 barely tips the scale, weighing in at a mere 7.5 pounds. The three amps' power rating is reflected in the designation: 30 watts for the AV 30.2, 60 watts for the AV 60.2 and 100 watts for the AV 100.2. All three amplifiers double-down at 4 ohms, making 60, 120 and 200 watts respectively. Peak current capacity is not what their class AB cousins enjoy, with the 100 watt B&K AV 100.2 rated at a low-ish 20 amps. No pricing on this trio of low power consumption class D amplifiers.
Class D. The herd is halfway there, with more and more manufacturers jumping on the low distortion/low power/low heat class D bandwagon. B&K has been making what is arguably the best dollar for dollar class AB amps for years, with their Reference 200 series capable of an awe inspiring 75 amp peak current capacity. That muscle comes with a price though, as the class AB B&K's are big, heavy and double as space heaters. Will we soon see a new line of multichannel class D amplifiers from B&K?
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Thursday, 10 January 2008 |
 Marantz has shown two new home theater separates at the 2008 CES in Las Vegas, the Marantz AV8003 pre/pro and the Marantz MM8003 multi-channel amplifier.
The Marantz AV8003 scales all sources for 1080p output via HDMI. The AV8003 is an HDMI 1.3a compliant device, and provides four HDMI inputs and two outputs. The AV8003 features onboard decoding of all advanced audio codecs, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The AV8003 also includes an ethernet connection for media streaming, and is ready for XM and Sirius satellite radio. Also housed in the Marantz AV8003's copper-plated chassis are XLR pre-outs, XLR inputs for SACD, and RS232c.
The Marantz MM8003 multi-channel amplifier provides 150 watts over each of it's 8 channels. The MM8003 features XLR inputs and a toroidal transformer.
The AV8003 and MM8003 mark Marantz' return to offering home theater separates after several years absent. Pricing has not yet been set on the Marantz AV8003 or the Marantz MM8003. Both are scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2008.
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