20
Feb
2012
Engadget: For 2012, Onkyo is expanding its lineup with four new entry level receivers and two HTIB all-in-one packages. The receivers all pack the brand new InstaPrevue (PiP preview of each HDMI source with fast switching) and MHL, while the three networked models are the first with access to MP3tunes cloud stored songs, as well as a number of other services including Spotify. (more…)
22
Dec
2011
21
Jun
2011
What Hi-fi: TEAC has announced the latest incarnation of its Reference series of hi-fi products.
First out of the blocks are the CR-H700 CD receiver, complete with support for AirPlay, DLNA and USB playback, and the UD-H01 DAC with USB interface.
The UD-H01 will be joined by a family of products with the same, diminuitive dimensions, and each specialising in CD playback, PC audio, streaming and more. (more…)
29
Mar
2011
Gizmodo: For over a year now, Spotify’s been streamable on Sonos systems, but you weren’t able to tinker with playlists on anything but a laptop or phone. Today that changes, with Onkyo home cinema receivers becoming compatible with Spotify Premium accounts, controllable on the TV interface. The TX-NR609 is the first receiver to add the functionality, but Onkyo will be adding more later. Spotify Premium streams in 320kbps, and the album art will be displayed on the telly.
10
Mar
2011
Engadget: You may have laughed off the assertion made by BridgeCo‘s VP of Sales and Marketing back at CES, but the man’s looking downright prophetic now. Apple has just nailed down yet another major player in its efforts to take over the streaming media world with AirPlay, as Pioneer’s VSX-1021 launched today as the first of eight AirPlay receivers the company has planned for 2011. It’s a 7.1 channel affair that supports wireless playback of iTunes libraries so long as you fork over a few extra dollars for the AS-WL300 wireless LAN adapter. You’ll also need an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or a Mac / PC with iTunes 10.1+, and the new AVR should show up immediately as an available AirPlay device. This particular one will sell for $549, and if you’re looking to spring, you should also know about Air Jam and iControlAV2 — two new (free) apps that turn iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 4.2 into sources for the aforesaid AVR. The latter actually enables full-on control of the receiver from an iOS device, while the former should do a fine job of handling the song selection during your next part. Hit up the source links for the nitty-gritty, and if you venture down beyond the break, you’ll find overview videos for the device shown above as well as the Air Jam app.
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08
Oct
2010
Engadget: It’s been just over a month since Apple first showed off AirPlay media streaming, part of iOS 4.2, and now we have another receiver adding compatibility. Marantz is calling its Melody Media receiver “the world’s first AirPlay certified music system,” a title that we think Denon, who announced compatibility last week, might take issue with. Regardless, the systems are quite similar, even sharing a nearly identical form-factor and neither actually being compatible with AirPlay out of the box. Marantz’s option will require a £40 firmware update, available next month, which seems a bit excessive given the up-front cost of the thing: £499.90. But, perhaps there’s some sort of licensing fee involved here Marantz doesn’t want to pay on each and every one shipped. The receiver offers dual stereo amps with 60 watts per channel, the ability to load MP3s from its integrated CD drive, and a USB connection on the front for connecting older devices that cannot play through the very air we breathe. How terribly pedestrian.
Update: And the reason why these receivers look so similar? Both companies are owned by the same parent: D&M Holdings. Perhaps this slightly optimistic statement by Marantz boils down to simple sibling rivalry.
29
Jul
2010
Engadget: Marantz has unveiled its 2010 line of high end receivers, amplifiers, pre amplifiers and Blu-ray players, and naturally the headlining upgrades have to do with streaming internet video access, Blu-ray 3D and HDMI 1.4 compatibility. You can check out the press releases for all the details, but we’ll highlight the UD7005 ($899, due in September) and UD5005 ($499, August) “Universal Media Players,” which earn the tag by including everything SACD, DVD-Audio, DivX and even Blu-ray 3D playback, plus improving on their predecessors by featuring DLNA v1.5 streaming access and built in Netflix and YouTube compatibility. One disappointment however, while some are still waiting for an updated version of the flagship SR8002 receiver, with only new editions in the form of the SR5005, SR6005 and SR7005 receivers. The SR7005 features six HDMI 1.4a inputs, with Windows 7-compatible DLNA, iPod, IP control, Pandora and the other usual feature boxes checked when it ships next month for $1,599.
09
Jul
2010
Engadget: Given the company’s focus on 3D this year, it’s not at all a surprise to see Sony’s 2010 line of ES receivers (and lone Blu-ray player) touched up with a dash of 3D support and HDMI 1.4-compatible features, but it may be a shocker to see their sale restricted to “specialty AV retailers and custom installers.” (more…)
30
Apr
2010
Engadget: Right on time, Denon’s dropped the details on its hardware for 2010 on us. Taking top honors are two Blu-ray players: the DBP-2011UDCI ($799, August, not pictured) and the DBP-1611UD ($399, June, pictured above) that are touted as “true universal players”; with DVD-Audio and SACD playback out of the box and Blu-ray 3D on the way in a fall firmware update the company’s confident they’ll play most any 5-inch optical media you may be able to get your hands on. If you’re past discs don’t worry, Netflix, DLNA and YouTube streaming is also part of the deal.
Those should pair well with any of the slew of receivers due up including the AVR-991 (SRP: $999, July), AVR-891 (SRP: $799, May), AVR-791 (SRP: $499, May), AVR-591 (SRP: $349, May) and the AVR-391 (SRP: $249, July); or the custom install-focused AVR-4311CI (SRP: $1,999, Sept.), AVR-3311CI (SRP: $1,199, June), and AVR-2311CI (SRP: $899, June). All of the above bring HDMI 1.4a repeaters for 3D compatibility, onscreen displays through HDMI, and some include web browsers plus music streaming from Pandora or connected PCs. Check the press releases after the break for all the details including a few new headphone models, though we recommend taking it in just a bit at a time — the threat of overdosing on this much info is high.
14
Apr
2010
Audio Junkies: Yamaha has released three new receiver models for 2010, with the $479 RX-V567 at the top of the new ’67 range. 3D support and HDMI 1.4 switching are the big new additions. The RX-V567 also features Yamaha’s signature Cinema DSP audio processing, YPAO automatic system calibration, analog-to-HDMI 1080p video upscaling, and 24Hz refresh rate support.
All of the new models have Yamaha’s “scene modes” (built-in macros) and support iPods and Bluetooth streaming via optional docks. Rated power for the RX-V567 is 90 watts into 7 channels.
15
Sep
2009
Electronista: Harman Kardon is currently showing off its latest flaghship home theater receiver, the 7.2-channel AVR 7550HD, at the CEDIA Expo.
Like some of the other receivers in its range, it supports Dolby Volume technology that keeps its volume consistent no matter what source is playing, and is the very first to use Texas Instruments’ Aureus DA710 dual audio digital signal processor for improved sound quality.
Faroudja DCDi Cinema digital video processing uses a Torino chipset to upscale videos to near 1080p quality. There are four onboard HDMI 1.3a with Deep Color inputs, and the AVR 7550HD is fully compatible with other HDMI V1.3a with Deep Color devices.
Otherwise, there is a USB port for playing music from a memory stick, the playback of which can be navigated by the remote control, and an Internet radio tuner is also present. Multizone support is present, with a dedicated remote included for a second room.
Harman Kardon has not revealed a price or a release date for the AVR 7550HD, though pricing is expected to fall in the $2,800 (€1,915) range.
07
Jul
2009
EngadgetHD: As we saw in February, Yamaha looks like it’s stressing the “feature per dollar” theme for its receivers. But if your ego (or setup) can’t stomach the thought of anything less than 100-Watts per channel, today’s release of the RX-V1065 will set you right.
The new 7.2-channel model cranks out 105-Watts through Yamaha’s Digital Top ART circuitry and more codec support, YPAO room EQ, and Cinema DSP gadgetry than you can shake a stick at.
The RX-V1065 also adds in support for HD radio and audio files on USB memory devices (WAV, MP3 and WMA). There’s something for everyone — even the haters will find something to like in the 29-pound (13 kg) weight that’s the same as the lower RX-V765 model. At just under $1000 (€716) mark, we would have traded out the HD Radio and USB support for a second HDMI output, but we’re greedy like that.
