The Audio Revolution coverage of HIFI 98 from Los Angeles

HIFI 98 Coverage: New A/V gear

Meridian
The Meridian showcased their DSP6000 Reference Loudspeaker system which provides a separate "head unit" for high frequency and midrange drivers. These sharp looking, glossy black towers are powered with four 75-watt internal amps.

Their 800 Reference DVD Transport offers a highly flexible modular set up and can accommodate high speed CD, DVD and CD-Recordable drives. The 861 Reference Surround Processor combines THX processing, Dolby Digital, DTS and MPEG decoding along with an array of unique soundfields. The modular, card based electronics allow custom configurations and upgrades.

The 861 also incorporates MLP, the proprietary Meridian Lossless Packing, an audio coding process, designed to guard against generation loss and transmission errors. Unlike perceptual or lossy data reduction, lossless coding doesn't alter the final decoded signal, but packs the audio data into a smaller data rate for transmission. The original data is delivered bit-for-bit at the playback stage. Meridian believes this will improve the performance of high-rate multi-channel audio on DVD, multi-channel CDs and 2-channel 20/24 bit CD's. Sounds good to us!

Parasound
Parasound introduced the companion P/DD-1550 ($1,295) Dolby Digital and DTS processor for their existing P/SP-1500 preamp ($999). Since the P/DD-1550 has no volume control it must be used with the P/SP-1500. Parasound developed this product to accommodate existing P/SP-1500 customers instead of just releasing an entirely new product and hanging their early supporters out to dry. Look for the P/DD-1550 in July.

Pioneer
Pioneer displayed their THX certified, reference grade DVD Player, the DV-09. It is equipped with a 10-bit video D/A converter, two 96 kHz, 24-bit audio DACs. Like its other high-end DVD players it provides component outputs for more accurate picture reproduction. Bringing back the elegance of the Elite product line, the DV-09 is adorned with rosewood side panels.

Two separate reports from custom installers we met in the hall suggest that the DV-09 is the best DVD picture on the market, cost no object. We'll reserve that opinion for the pending review coming on The Revolution in a month or two.

B & K Components
Releasing the Reference 20 ($2,500), B & K Components provides their second digital processor with both Dolby Digital and DTS processing. The Reference 20 incorporates a 20-bit DAC and provides auto detection of any source material.

McIntosh
The MSD4 is McIntosh's first digital preamp and digital processor to incorporate both Dolby Digital and DTS processes. It's currently available and shipping for a retail price of $3,250.

The MC 7205 five-channel amplifier ($4,500) replaces the 7106, delivering 200 watts per channel for demanding home theater applications. The MC 162 is a new two-channel amplifier yielding 160 watts per channel or a whopping 500 watts into mono. Pricing for the MC162 was undisclosed.

Macintosh has re-designed and re-introduced their famous model 275, a two-channel amplifier that delivers 75 watts per channel. Each 275 amp retails for $5,000, including tubes.

Marantz
The MR2020 ($1,000) Tabletop Music System combines a high-tech look with unusually high sound quality for a small system. The MR2020 combination is a CD Player, AM/FM tuner with two speakers and a powered subwoofer is a perfect sound system for offices and dens. Look for it in stores some time in August.

This July Marantz will release the SR685 A/V Receiver ($899) with Dolby Digital and Lucasfilm's Re-EQ circuit. Preouts are provided for use with external amplifiers. The most affordable Dolby Digital A/V Receiver to date will be released as the SR585 ($650).

Also in July, the DR-700 CD-R/CD-RW Recorder ($850) will ship. The DR-700 record on both write-once and rewritable compact discs. Optical and coaxial digital inputs are provided for direct digital recording as well as for playback through a separate DAC or preamp/processor. With CD recorders priced at under $1,000, burning a custom CD will soon be as easy and cost effective as making a "mix tape" on a cassette deck.

Sony
Sony announced the introduction of the TA-E9000ES, the first 32-bit DSP digital preamplifier to its ES product line. According to Sony, this is an improved design over conventional 24-bit fixed decimal decoders. The new processor is capable of decoding any Dolby Digital, DTS or MPEG multi-channel algorithm. It features a two channel 96 kHz/24-bit D/A converter and a 20-bit A/D delta sigma converter. The TA-E9000ES utilizes two 32-bit Sony DSP IC's that provide up to 29 different soundfield effects, including three exclusive Digital Cinema Sound settings derived from the Sony Pictures Studios own dubbing stages. The TA-E9000ES provides plenty of digital inputs (five optical, three coaxial and one RF) plus an RS-232C serial communication port for future upgradability. It also comes with a new LCD remote controll that provides two-way communication to relay to the user feedback on all of the key functions.

The TA-N9000ES is the companion power amplifier for the TA-E9000ES. It can be configured for two, three, four and five channel applications. The TA-N9000ES incorporates Sony's exclusive Direct Ground Drive power supply which improves stability and dynamic base response. Both the TA-E9000ES and the TA-N9000ES will be released this fall for a suggested retail price of $1,700 and $1,300, respectively.

Sony also unveiled their second generation "reference standard" DVD player, the DVP-7700, as the successor to the extremely popular DVP-S7000. The new DSP servo control system increases disc access time by 20% and enhances many of the special effects modes. The DVP-7700 incorporates a 10-bit D/A converter for video and a low-jitter 96 kHz/24 bit D/A converter for audio. Component outputs as well as two sets of S-video and composite video jacks are provided for increased flexibility. The DVP-7700 will access both Dolby Digital and DTS bitstreams. You should be able to find the DVP-7700 in stores sometime this fall. Pricing was unavailable.

Sonic Frontiers' Anthem
Sonic Frontier's Anthem series is a product line offering high-quality components priced affordably to attract younger audiophiles to better sounding equipment. The Anthem Integrated 2 ($1,700) is a hybrid unit, consisting of a solid state 80 watts per channel amplifier and an all-tube preamplifier section. The preamplifier provides four inputs (CD, Tuner and two sets of AUX jacks) plus a tape monitor and signal processor loop. The latter function, together with pre-out and main-out jacks makes it possible to use the Integrated 2's preamp and amp sections separately in the event of an upgrade.

VAC - Valve Amplification Company
Starting this month, VAC has begun shipping products in its Visionary Audio Components System, a series of components that integrate vacuum tube and solid state designs, expandable to provide high performance music and multi-channel sound systems. On demonstration were the CPA-2 ($6,790) remote control Class A triode preamplifier, the CDP-1 ($7,990) CD Player with HDCD decoding, the PSC-1 ($1,890) remote controlled power controller/sequencer with four PAM-160 ($6,090) 160 watt Triode/Ultra-linear mono block tube amplifiers. The most unusual and unparalleled feature is the ability to dock or stack components eliminating the need for large spaces or specially designed cabinetry. The tubes are enclosed behind glass for the protection of children and pets. We noted the stellar design of the Visionary Series in our Winter CES coverage and will say it again: This system is a killer. It looks and sounds great with all the gingerbread and none of the excuses.

Tact Audio The TCS Dolby Digital and DTS processor ($11,500) from Tact Audio features an unprecedented built-in room correction system controlled by a Windows-based software program. Unlike other companies, who generally advise against customers using their proprietary software packages, Tact Audio has specifically designed their room correction software so that any enthusiast can fine adjust the TCS processor. In fact, the simple, quick start instruction manual will get anyone up and running in no time. The processor incorporates 5 analog (one balanced) and five digital inputs. All outputs are balanced and single-ended. The 20-bit Burr Brown DAC is upgradable. For two-channel enthusiasts the RCS 2.2 ($8,000) offers the same room correction technology with obviously fewer inputs and outputs.

Naim Audio
English-based Naim Audio demonstrated its latest CD Player the NA CD-X ($4,250), featuring a nifty swivel tray. The player includes two 20-bit DACs and HDCD decoding. As with most Naim systems performance can be enhanced with and external power supply. In this case it is the XPS ($4,000) power supply.

Rotel
Rotel has always been known for providing high quality gear at a moderate price. To once again prove their point, Rotel has released the RCD-91 CD Player that includes an HDCD filter and a 20-bit D/A converter for $700.

Wavac Audio Labs
Walking into the Wavac exhibit was like stepping back in time. The stair-stepped display of Wavac Audio Labs tube devices, the Kochel ($8,995) speakers with extreme square edges and the playback of vinyl recordings evoked images of HiFi shows from the glory days of the 1970's. The Wavac MD-572 ($8,160) is a 50 watts per channel amp, the PR-X1 line stage preamp retails at $6,970 and the LCR-X1 Turntable garners $12,430 with a $4,000 Miyabi cartridge.

Large Scale A/V Demos A/V Products Video Speakers

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