Recently Filed in Amplifiers

Is it live, or is it Memorex? That was the big hi-fi question back in the 80s when cassette playback was on everyone’s mind. The next big audio question might become, is it wired, or is it wireless? Today’s listening trend is a by-product of the ripping, storing and playback of music collections to and from a computer. At CES 2010 there were a number of companies joining the fray to make the transfer of those PC-based files—whether they’re in compressed form or more audiophile-friendly… View this story
Amplifiers • Preamplifiers • CES • Audio • Product News

McIntosh has been busy lately. Fresh off the the announcement of its MXA60 integrated system, the custom electronics manufacturer is introducing three home theater components at CES 2010. The new components are flagship products that can be used to assemble a complete system or used individually. MVP881 BR Universal Audio/Video Player McIntosh is breaking into new product territories with this introduction. Described as the company’s first true universal disc player, the MVP881 can play Blu-ray, DVD, CD, DVD-Audio and SACD discs, and it includes the… View this story
AV Components • Amplifiers • Blu-ray • Preamplifiers • Receivers • CES • Product News

Within the worlds of pro and enthusiast consumer audio, California-based Manley Labs has developed a loyal following of users that appreciate its design approach, including its implementation of tubes in modern electronics products. The company’s newly released Stingray iTube Integrated Amplifier ($3,400) is the latest example of how the company is able to combine old and new technologies. Building upon the concepts of the original Stingray Integrated Amplifier, which was released approximately 12 years ago, the company updated the integrated amp to include Apple-certified provisions… View this story
AV Components • AM and FM Tuners • Amplifiers • CD Players • Docks & Cradles • Integrated Amplifiers • Headphones

For over a half-century McIntosh Laboratory has produced some of the consumer audio industry’s most desirable products and is now shipping its 60th Anniversary MXA60 Integrated Audio System. The MXA60 (MSRP $7,500) is the New York-based company’s first stand-alone, all-in-one system and it incorporates a 75-watt per channel solid-state amplification section, a tube-based preamplification section, a CD and SACD disc player, capabilities to play MP3 and other compressed audio files, an AM/FM/RBDS tuner and a pair of two-way, bass-reflex loudspeakers. McIntosh president Charlie Randall says… View this story
AV Components • AM and FM Tuners • Amplifiers • Bookshelf Systems • CD Players

Remember SE2 Labs, the company that brought us the ultimate home theater in a box with AMX automation, Bryston audio, Vidikron video processing, iPod dock, Xbox 360, Blu-ray and more? At CEDIA 2009, the company is packing one more thing into that $30,000+ ITC (Integrated Theater Console) One box: multiroom audio. The new ITC 1.2 and ITC 1.5 distribute audio to two and five zones, respectively. They ship with the required keypads. SE2 created the audio system with the help of Bryston, Canadian manufacturer of… View this story
AV Components • Amplifiers • Blu-ray • Digital Media Servers • Multiroom Audio • Multiroom Video • Product News

Q. Is it possible to use two different amplifiers or tuners on the same set of speakers if they are never used simultaneously? The example is that we have two floors with the wiring and speakers to play music in multiple rooms on both floors. We would like to use a tuner for music in the main floor rooms but still have the ability to use the downstairs speakers as part of a home theater setup. - James/Hilliard, Ohio The following tips come via CE… View this story
AV Components • Amplifiers • Preamplifiers • Speakers • Home Theater • Ask a Pro

Q. I have several hundred DVDs and an old Philips MX 5600D receiver/DVD player that I would like to replace with a unit that could store my DVD collection and take the place of the home theater amp/receiver that won’t break the bank. - Jack, Texas A. I think you, like many people, are on the search for the Holy Grail: A DVD movie server that is inexpensive and reliable. We’ve spent a lot of time at my company looking at all kinds of DVD… View this story
AV Components • Amplifiers • Digital Media Servers • Receivers • Ask a Pro

Krell has embraced Apple’s iPod, taking the iconic music player to new heights with a dedicated iPod/iPhone docking and playback solution. Krell’s Papa Dock amplifier and KID (Krell Interface Dock) iPod Dock is a two-piece system that has been engineered to extract the best possible performance from an iPod, giving installers a dedicated audio/video solution that is easy to control and looks nice. System Features The Papa/KID combination brings a lot to the table, including an amp capable of delivering 150 watts of power through… View this story
AV Components • Amplifiers • Docks & Cradles • Portables

Electronic House and sister publication CE Pro recently had an exclusive listening session with a prototype version of the new Master Series M2 Direct Digital Amplifier from NAD Electronics. The M2 (MSRP $5,999) is a sophisticated digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that directly drives a set of loudspeakers, the company says. It features the industry’s first closed-loop digital amp and works by using a reference signal and traditional pulse width modulation (PWM) technologies in conjunction with nano-second fast error-correction technologies and a 100MHz clock. The amp incorporates… View this story
AV Components • Amplifiers • Audio • Product News

There’s something magical about tubes and how this old analog technology contributes to the music making and playback process.  Despite some efforts to bury tube amplifiers next to 8-track tapes and Digital Audio (DAT) players, the technology is relevant again thanks to manufacturing improvements as well as new circuit designs that extract the best possible sound from these products. These updates improve ease of use and provide a musicality that is difficult for solid-state devices to replicate. A modern tube amp can be used for… View this story
Amplifiers • Audio • Info and Answers

It’s not hard to see that I’m impressed with the Seymour AV Ice Block 5001 500watt Monoblock Amplifier. It has plenty of power, great aesthetics, and near perfect functionality. Most of all, it provides esoteric components, looks, and construction at near enthusiast prices. That alone should be a huge selling point for those with smaller wallets but refined tastes. Plus, you’ll have an amp that is not only a show piece for the uninitiated but also sports all the “extras” that will impress your esoteric… View this story
Amplifiers • Reviews • Audio • Product News

As a consumer there’s a lot out there for you to choose when it comes to home theater electronics. Starting with source components do you buy a CD player, a Blu-ray player, a media server or all of the above? When it comes to managing these sources and powering your speakers do you buy a single-box A/V receiver that incorporates everything anyone could possibly ever need or do you buy “separates,” which in audiophile speak means an amplifier and preamplifier/processor. A good case can be… View this story
AV Components • Amplifiers • Home Theater • Audio