Off site Audio Exhibits

Onkyo
Demonstrating at the Margorie Barrett Museum on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, Onkyo debuted three new audio products.

First is the DV-S501, the company's second-generation DVD player. Mike Strange, Senior Marketing Manager from Onkyo, points out that the DV-S501, performance, unlike other players in its class, addresses the importance of audio. It incorporates a 20 bit/96kHz D-toA converter and a separate analog DC power supply which is isolated from the audio circuitry for greater DC stability. A definite price has not been established, but it is expected to retail under $850.00 (usd).

Onkyo's TX-SV454 is a new entry level A/V Receiver with Dolby Pro-Logic that is "5.1- Ready." It features 'Cinema Re-EQ' to assure tonal balance for playback of movie soundtracks in surround, sending the three main front speakers 60 watts-per-channel and the surrounds 20 watts.

Add the new ED-301 Dolby Digital Decoder via the TX-SV454's DB-25 port or separate analog inputs for a complete 5.1 audio system. At $429.95 (usd) for the TX-SV454 and $450.00 (usd) for the ED-301, Onkyo is delivering one of the first 5.1 audio solutions under $1,000 (usd) with all three products scheduled for a second quarter delivery.

Additionally, Onkyo showcased new products currently available in Japan. They have a PC Sound Board that exhibited a demonstrably better high-end frequency response than the popular Sound Blaster.

With the advent of DVD and Dolby Digital software, Onkyo has designed its own proprietary Theater Dimensional Sound circuit that meets the Virtual Dolby Digital specification. The advantage of Virtual Dolby Digital is it allows users with only two speakers to approximate the effect of a five speaker system.

For a peek behind the scenes, Onkyo spoke about the Onkyo Micro Fiber cone, which is processed from silk, that will be the basis of their next generation speakers. The cone can be dyed to any color and is extremely light-weight.

MB Quart
MB Quart introduced a new loudspeaker line, 'DOMAIN', to meet the consumers increasing demand for quality performance and aesthetics. They offer four frame finishes (Midnight Ash, Mission Oak, Jefferson Cherry, and Piano Black) to compliment a variety of room decors.

The D35 is a 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker with a 1" titanium tweeter and 6.5" mid-bass driver. The D75 is a floor standing model with a 1" titanium tweeter and two 6.5" woofers. Both speakers are housed in an untraditional trapezoidal-shaped loudspeaker enclosure.

The multi-purpose Octa QL A40 is a singular, eighth-sphere, molded enclosure. It can be mounted on the wall, in a bookshelf even in the corner of room. Two speakers can be mounted together to act as a dipole speaker, for dens or small recreation rooms where it is virtually impossible to place rear speakers the Octa is the perfect solution.

Audio Control
Audio Control, specialists in multi-room, multi-zone peripherals has introduced The Model 1250, also known as The Architect, a "whole-house" multi-room 12x 50 watt amplifier. Each stereo pair has six band EQ control. Each channel is independently protected against clipping with their proprietary 'Lightdrive' circuit.Audio Control also showed The Bijou, a seven-channel graphics equalizer, with 1/6 octave settings, for fine tuning those 5.1 audio sound systems. Unlike other EQ's The Bijou provides control for stereo subwoofers, each with their own set of controls. The Bijou incorporates DB-25 input and output connections for quick hook-up to preamps also housing this connector. The Bijou retails for $995 (usd) and is currently shipping.

Lexicon
Lexicon showcased the flagship DC-1 Digital Processor which when fully loaded, decodes both Dolby Digital and DTS software. It provides a total of eight audio and five video inputs in a surprisingly sleek chassis. In its basic configuration ($1,995.00 usd) it only provides Dolby Pro-Logic, the proprietary Logic 7 and several DSP settings. Fully loaded with both digital decoder chips the DC-1 runs $4,995 (usd). The DC-1 is currently shipping.

The Lexicon 512 is a 5x 120 watt amplifier. Each amplifier is a separate module within the chassis housing individual power supplies and heatsinks. Price has not been determined, but will probably fall in the $4,000.00 (usd) category. The unit is expected to be available sometime in the second quarter.

MSB Technologies was introducing the Dual Digital Processor, DDP-2X. It can be installed into any system which either has separate amplifiers, a receiver with a preamplifier loop, or a receiver or processor with a 5.1 input. It can also function as a stand alone preamp/processor. It decodes both Dolby Digital and DTS and is currently selling for $2,195.