All Products Filed in Amplifiers

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

For years many audiophiles have floated the mis-guided notion that traditional two-channel audio and home theater couldn't co-exist in the same home A/V system.

Helping to pull those lost audiophiles from the dark ages are companies like Parasound. Just prior to the Labor Day holiday weekend, the San Fransisco-based audio/video manufacturer introduced a new version of its Halo JC 2 preamplifier that it's calling the JC 2 BP.

The new JC 2 BP adds a home theater bypass function to allow custom installers to offer their clients a versatile A/V entertainment solution and high-performance music system all in one package.

Parasound was able to implement the home theater bypass function by adding a modified potentiometer board, as well as fixed resistors that set the outputs to a unity gain when the bypass is engaged. The company says that any one or more of the preamp's inputs, which includes its two balanced (XLR) inputs can be assigned to the bypass, and front panel, amber-colored LEDs indicate when an input is being used with the bypass mode.

Parasound is also offering dealers the opportunities to retrofit their clients' existing JC 2s with the bypass feature for $500.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Apparently technology is like fashion in that things like leg warmers and analog audio can both go out and come back into style at a moment's notice.

Currently the consumer electronics market is experiencing a resurgence in historic technologies like tubes and vinyl, and for long-term supporters of these technologies like Lamm Industries, this renewed consumer interest is breeding new and younger buyers.

Lamm's new LL2.1 line-level tube preamplifier is the company's new replacement for its LL2 preamp. The Class A LL2.1 features a new circuit design, a tube rectifier, and a choke-type filter that Lamm says eliminates hum and buzz to provide users with a dynamic, uncolored listening experience.

The line-level preamp incorporates three inputs, one tape loop, two sets of outputs, a front panel muting switch, an attenuator for gain reduction, a global on/off switch for use with Lamm amps and an automatic mute that activates when the unit is turned off or on. In addition, Lamm offers the preamp in a standard and deluxe version. The deluxe version is identical to the standard version except its power supply energy storage is doubled, and all its film caacitors are paralleled by polystyrene capacitors.

Now let's hope that stone-wash pants and bad digital transfers stay in the 1980s.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Cary Audio is one of the top audio manufacturers in the market and it's built this reputation through its tube products, including products like its CAD 120S amplifier.

Recently the company introduced an update to the CAD 120S it calls the CAD 120S MKII, and it says that some of the revisions its made to the original balanced circuit design include modifications to its network feedback that reduces its overall global feedback, and adjustments to its input gain stage.

Cary says the changes result with the amp producing greater dynamics, with a wider soundstage and the ability to produce more detail.

The American company rates the amp to produce 60 watts per channel in triode mode and 120 watts per channel in ultralinear mode. Cary says that users can change modes "on the fly" and front panel meters indicate the amp's tube bias and operational status.

Tube enthusiasts interested in Cary's choice of tubes, the CAD 120S MKII employs a single 6SN7 in the input stage, a single 6SN7 in the driver stage and four KT88 tubes in the output stage. The amp also includes a choice of RCA and XLR (balanced) outputs and a soft-start turn-on circuit to protect the tubes from harsh start ups.

Friday, July 09, 2010

For years, Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) has catered to a small, but loyal group of audiophiles and with the release of its latest product, the REX amplifier, the company should continue to make its dealers and loyal customers happy.

The REX replaces the company's VK-75SE/VK-150SE models and like other BAT products, the amp employs customized oil-filled capacitors in important areas of the power supply, and unique to this product, the company eliminated the typical power supply rail fuses from the signal path. BAT says the elimination of these wires along with multiple fuseholders that are associated with the rail fuses improves signal clarity. To further protect signal clarity, the amp also utilizes protection circuits that eliminate the fuses that most amps use to protect tubes, and with the combination of the amp's auto-bias circuit, dealers and clients don't need to use meters to adjust tube bias.

Using a zero-feedback , triode, fully symmetrical design approach in combination with 6C33C-B tubes in the output stage, the monoblock REX is rated to deliver 160 watts of power and the stereo version of the amp is rated to deliver 80 watts per channel.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

It wasn't that long ago that music listeners and audiophiles in particular wanted features like XLR (balanced) inputs to connect their high-performance CD players and other sources. In 2010 a case could be made that USB is the choice input of new generation.

Responding to the growing push for USB inputs, Minneapolis, Minn.-based Bel Canto Design, Ltd., has introduced a new integrated amplifier with a USB input to enable users to utilize their computers as a source component.

The company's S300iUSB integrated amplifier incorporates a USB input with 24-bit/96kHz upsampling capabilities, an efficient, cool-running, dual-mono digital amplification section that's capable of producing 300 watts per channel, as well as driving 4-ohm loads.

Bel Canto has designed the integrated amp for traditional usages and new-age applications where an Apple product or PC can be used as the basis of a modern two-channel audio system.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

AudioControl is a small, but respected manufacturer of quality electronics and the company's products have been a core line for many successful custom installation companies.

Over the course of the past several months the company has been updating its product line with new products like its Savoy G3 multichannel amplifier.

This new seven-channel amplifier employs the company's Class H circuit design, which it says enables the amp to produce 200 watts into each of its seven channels with an 8-ohm load.

AudioControl says the amp has been designed to complement its Maestro M3 theater preamplifier/processor, and its industrial design features LED channel indicator lights and a gloss-black display.

Friday, April 30, 2010

A case could be made that one of the most respected manufacturers in the consumer electronics market is Plymouth, Minn.-based Audio Research.

The long-time manufacturer of specialty audio products is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary by releasing its new Anniversary Edition Reference Preamplifier.

With the release of the Anniversary Edition preamp, the company is utilizing a two-piece chassis design to house its dual-mono power supply and audio circuitry. The Class A design preamp employs 6550C and 6H30 tubes in each channel, XLR and RCA inputs, 12-volt triggers, and a detachable IEC power cable.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

For decades Bryston has been the benchmark manufacturer for the recording engineers all over the world and with the recording and consumer electronic industries' migration into the world of digital audio, the Canadian-based manufacturer has moved aggressively into the computer audio category.

Released about a year ago, the company's BDA-1 external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is available in black or silver and it's a component that can be used to playback computer-based digital audio files, or to upgrade the performance of older legacy devices like CD and DVD players.

The DAC features fully discrete Class-A proprietary analog circuits, two independent linear power supplies and dual Crystal CS-4398 DAC chips. Bryston also includes inputs for USB, coax, optical, AES-EBU and BNC equipped electronics. In addition, it integrates into an audio system through via a choice of XLR or single-ended RCA stereo outputs. CE Pros can keep also keep their clients' systems fully updated through the unit's RS-232 port, which supports firmware upgrades.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Low-level noise is an intangible element that separates good audio products from great audio products, and with the release of its new Cinema Rhapsody Mach IV B home theater preamplifier/processor, Audio Design Associates (ADA) is providing CE Pros a way of lowing a system's noise floor without adding extraneous, unused features.

The company's newly launched pre/pro incorporates balanced (XLR) outputs to enable installers to sell their clients into a higher performing option that's proven to produce higher levels of detail and transparency.

In addition to the XLR outputs, the Mach IV B also includes eight HDMI inputs, two HDMI outputs, HDMI equalization for each input and output, a secondary crossover setting, which allows CE Pros to set up the pre/pro with full-range speakers, while sending low-frequency data to a system's subwoofers, a built-in multi-band parametric equalizer, and a full selection of home theater processing modes.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

There's no question the custom installation market is changing. More CE Pros are doing commercial work and more are doing retrofit residential installations because of the current state of the new housing market.

NuVo Technologies' new to market Renovia system is designed by the company to address the growing retrofit market through its ability to distribute audio signals through a home's existing electrical powerlines.

The system includes a main hub that installers can connect up to six source components, as well as eight in-wall amplifier units and a choice of NuVo control pads. The system also offers built-in Sirius Radio support, and NuVo is supporting CE Pros by releasing its Site Analysis Tool (SAT), which the company says helps installers to find the best outlet locations before opening up a wall.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Over the past several months NuVo Technologies has received a lot of attention in regards to its retrofittable Renovia powerline-based multiroom audio system.

The company is however, working on other product lines that includes its soon-to-be shipping D2120 digital power amplifier.

According to the suburban Cincinnati-based company, the Energy Star-certified D2120 is designed to complement its Grand Concerto system, and it's rated to deliver 120 watts per channel.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Krell has one of the most loyal following of enthusiast consumers and dealers in the entire electronics industry and with its recent announcement of a newly added proprietary room equalization function for its flagship Evolution 707 preamplifier/processor, Krell dealers and consumers have another reason to support the brand.

The company calls its room EQ, Krell Automatic Room Equalization System (ARES) and it's been engineered by Krell to eliminate the problematic room modes that inhibit residential audio systems from reaching their maximum potential.

The EQ is available for free to existing Evolution 707 owners and going forward Krell says the EQ will be included in new versions of the pre/pro.

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Florida-based Neuhaus Laboratories is a relative newcomer to the consumer electronics industry and as a newcomer it is bringing new ideas into the market.

The audio manufacturer's first product is the T2 integrated amplifier, which it is selling direct while looking to build a dealer network. The T2 checks in well below $1,000 and it offers a choice of inputs that are highlighted by a USB port and companion built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that enables CE Pros to instantly turn any computer into an audio source.

The small-footprint amp uses an all-tube design is rated to deliver 20-watts per channel and it also includes a headphone input for users that want the option of an upgraded personal audio solution.

Monday, April 05, 2010

The new Couch Potato (CP-8) Subwoofer from Earthquake Sound features a 150-watt built-in amplifier and 8-in long excursion subwoofer. A winner of 2009 Exc!te Award from Custom Retailer and an honoree of 2010 International CES Innovations Design & Engineering Award, the CP-8 has placed its mark in the industry.

The slim enclosure design of the CP-8 allows you to place this versatile subwoofer under or behind the sofa, against the wall, behind or even under the bed. The closer you are to the subwoofer, the faster and more powerful is the bass. View more information at Earthquake Sound.

Features:

• 150-Watt high efficiency class "A/B" amplifier
• 8" long excursion subwoofer
• 20Hz - 180Hz of frequency response
• High level (speaker) audio inputs
• Low level (RCA) audio inputs
• 0 - 180° phase shift switch
• 2" high temperatuve voice coil
• 110V/220V selector
• Dimensions (H - feet included x W x D):
• 7" (177.8mm) x 12" (304.8mm) x 24" (601mm)
• Weight: 24.58 lbs / 11.15 kgs

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Integra is now shipping what it claims is the industry's first high-performance nine-channel home theater power amplifier that is rated at 150-watts per channel. The Integra DTA-70.1 was awarded the top-level THX Ultra2 certification, indicating its ability of the analog unit to drive all of the speakers in a nine-channel home theater system to full THX output levels and beyond.

The Integra DTA-70.1 is designed as a companion product to the Integra DHC-80.1 9.2-channel A/V processor for theater systems that use the new "height" or "stereo-wide" channels. The amplifier is also a companion to seven-channel preamps such as the Integra DHC-40.1 with the extra channels dedicated to additional zones or for bi-amplified connections that double the power available to the main stereo loudspeakers.

The DTA-70.1 is an 11.7-amp power supply with professional-style balance line inputs. Each channel has identical symmetric circuit layouts, configured in a push-pull topology utilizing three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry and output transistors. It uses the company's WRAT (wide range amplifier technology) with low negative feedback, closed ground-loop circuits, and HICC (high instantaneous-current capability) to achieve an extended frequency range, low noise, and high dynamics, according to the company.

The power bandwidth is 5 Hz to 100 kHz, +/-3dB, and the IHF A-weighted signal to noise ratio is an excellent 110 dB.

There are gold-plated XLR and machined solid brass RCA inputs for each channel. The color-coded speaker outputs use gold-plated banana-plug-compatible transparent binding posts. It has a 12-volt trigger input for remote turn on and off capabilities, and an automatic power-down capability.

The Integra DTA-70.1 power amplifier is now available with a suggested retail price of $1,800.

http://www.integrahometheater.com