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Bryston goes Class D for its Hybrid Zone amps

by Steven Kim posted Sep 7th 2009 at 9:18PM

Bryston D-130Z Hybrid Zone amplifier
After you're done pulling all the wires for whole-home audio, you probably want some peace of mind that the system will just work with no fuss, like, forever. If your setups are of the high-end variety, Bryston's new Hybrid Zone amplifiers might be just the way to complete the job -- the marque has legendary performance and reliability. Bryston has built its own linear power supply to go along with the Class D amps, so you can be sure the D-130Z and D-250Z aren't just knock-off reference designs, and the per-channel power (90-Watts for the D-130Z, 150-Watts in the D-250Z) can be divvied up a number of ways to suit your needs. Sounds great, but sadly this is some more Bryston gear that's out of our tax bracket -- $4,395 for the D-130Z, $5,695 for the D-250Z -- and these only get a five-year warranty to boot, a far cry from Bryston's standard 20-year promise. Press release after the break.

Continue reading Bryston goes Class D for its Hybrid Zone amps

NAD jumps into Class D with its new M2 Direct Digital Amp

by Steven Kim posted May 24th 2009 at 10:19AM

NAD M2 Direct Digital Amplifier
Even though Class D switching amplifiers are relatively new to consumer electronics, they are receiving attention; thankfully at least some of it from the engineering (as opposed to marketing) departments. NAD has decided to enter into the fray with its Masters Series M2 Direct Digital Amplifier, a 200 250-Watt stereo offering that can accept a PCM signal directly and run it through a digital volume control before making the transition to analog current to drive your speakers. Don't worry -- it plays nicely with your other components -- there's also an ADC stage so that the unit can accept analog inputs from traditional preamplifiers. The press release touts NAD's work on the feedback stage, and there's nary a mention of ICEpower modules, so it's a good bet that the M2 is NAD's own design and not a repackaged reference kit. Sounds great, but the $6,000 price leaves us sobbing -- thankfully, this is NAD, so you can expect the tech to move down the line in the future. Hit the link for the full details.

Aspen Media Products intros 2009 HTPC lineup, includes DIY model

by Darren Murph posted Feb 12th 2009 at 6:44AM


Aspen Media Products is probably even less known than the relatively unknown Okoro Media Systems, but it's hoping to break through somewhat with its stout 2009 HTPC lineup. The most interesting newcomer is unquestionably the AMP CL-1058DIY, which is supposedly aimed at the DIY crowd and starts at $949. For that, you get a chassis, a CableCARD tuner, optional 5.1 or 7.1 amplifier and freedom of choice when it comes to options such as processor, memory, storage and adding an additional CableCARD tuner. Think of it as partial barebones, we guess. The CL-1058BD (pictured) and CL-1058BDH are there for folks not looking to touch any silicon, and those can be ordered up right now starting at $1,049 and $1,349, respectively.

[Via Electronic House]

Sunfire ships high-end Theater Grand processor and amplifiers

by Darren Murph posted Dec 26th 2008 at 2:38PM


If this recession isn't even close to fazing you, Sunfire's got a few components to sell you. The outfit has just started shipping its Theater Grand line of processors and amplifiers, and even the least expensive of the bunch would shock the average home cinema shopper. The TGP-401 processor ($3,500), TGA-7401 Theater Grand Amplifier ($4,450) and TGA-7201 Grand Amplifier ($3,250) are all leaving the docks as we speak, and those with the means to finance one can certainly venture down to the read link for all the nitty-gritty specs. As for the rest of us, at least we've something to aspire to, right?

Yamaha brings the style with A-S700 / CD-S700 audio components

by Darren Murph posted Oct 9th 2008 at 7:36AM


About this time last year, Yamaha treated us to its CD-S2000 SACD player and A-S2000 amplifier, both of which sported that timeless look that was just too dazzling to hide away in some AV cabinet. This year, the outfit is keeping with the trend by introducing the equally stunning (and even more silver) A-S700 amplifier and CD-S700 CD player (pictured after the break). The former features 90-watts x 2 of RMS power and gold-plated RCA inputs, while the latter includes a Burr Brown 192kHz/24bit DAC and a USB port for playing back MP3 / WMA files. Both units are destined to hit Japanese audio shops next month for ¥73,500 ($730) and ¥60,900 ($605), respectively.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Continue reading Yamaha brings the style with A-S700 / CD-S700 audio components

Anthem chooses CEDIA to reveal 225 integrated amplifier

by Darren Murph posted Sep 5th 2008 at 8:56AM


Anthem may not have the presence of, say, Sony at CEDIA this year, but at least it isn't wasting all of our time by unveiling a $1,500 SACD player. Our apologies to any of you we just offended (yes, all two of you), but seriously, we have a feeling true audiophiles will appreciate the 225 integrated amplifier much more. Designed with music aficionados in mind, this amp provides a phono preamp input that supports Moving Coil (MC) and Moving Magnet (MM) applications and includes solid-state circuitry boards, seven total stereo audio inputs, a universal learning remote and an RS-232 port. The unit boasts 225-watts of pure, clean power per channel at 8-ohms, and while it will set you back $1,499, this $1.5k piece may actually be worth the price of entry.

Marantz showing off high-end SACD players, amplifiers and more

by Darren Murph posted May 2nd 2008 at 6:54PM


Though we're not exactly sure if Marantz will be a wholly owned subsidiary of D&M Holdings for much longer, the boutique brand is still planning to strut its stuff at the upcoming Audio Karma Fest in Michigan. Reportedly, the outfit will be showcasing a number of luxurious components from its Reference Series, include the $3,199 SC-11S1 preamplifier, $4,199 SM-11S1 power amplifier, $3,699 SA-11S2 SACD player and the all new $2,599.99 AV8003 Networking AV Preamp / Processor. For those lacking the requisite scratch, the slightly less magnificent SA8001 SACD player ($899.99) and PM7001 integrated amp ($599.99) will also be around. Word has it that all of the items will be demonstrated on Snell loudspeakers, which all in all should deliver a fairly blissful experience.

Adobe Media Player & Adobe TV officially launched

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 9th 2008 at 7:28AM

Since everyone else is launching a Flash-based video portal, Adobe itself is mixing things up with the AIR-powered Adobe TV. Via the new Adobe Media Player (AMP) 1.0 standalone app, users browse through assorted content from partners like CBS, Universal Music Group, Viacom, PBS or RSS feeds of video podcasts, while the Adobe TV channel itself focuses on how-to content for the company's various tools like Photoshop and Flash. AMP supports up to 1080p, however while ad-support TV content like The Hills and CSI: NY is disappointingly low-res, there are some HD online shows, but the bitrate's so low it's tough to tell if we're getting all the promised pixels. It's a lightweight download, check it out and see how it measures up to Hulu and the rest of the internet challengers.

Read - Adobe TV press release
Read - Adobe Media Player press release

Don't like your pre-amp? Build your own!

by Erik Hanson posted Dec 31st 2007 at 9:56AM

Hack a day DIY pre-amplifierIf you're big into do-it-yourself electronics, and feeling like your existing off-the-shelf pre-amplifier just isn't cutting it, Hack a day has the plans for you, with schematics and photos of a 7.1-channel pre-amp design sporting RCA, SPDIF, XLR, and USB inputs, and a VFD display to show you what's going on. The design is very professional-looking, and despite the glaring lack of analog tubes, it's sure to please any soldering audiophiles.

Pass Labs reveals $6500 INT-150 integrated amplifier

by Darren Murph posted Dec 17th 2007 at 11:27AM


Looking for a touch of class in your next stereo amplifier? If so, you needn't look much further than Pass Laboratories, which is readying a high-end integrated amp for release at CES. The INT-150 will become the firm's first integrated amplifier, and it's based heavily on the X-150.5 Stereo Amplifier. The device is rated at 150-watts-per-channel into 8-ohms or 300-watts into 4-ohms, and it can handle four RCA inputs / two balanced XLR inputs. Heck, you'll even get a remote made from machined aluminum to match the unit itself, but really, what else would you expect when laying down $6,500? Check out one more angle and a shot of the rear after the jump.

Continue reading Pass Labs reveals $6500 INT-150 integrated amplifier





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