Tag: hi fi
Harman Kardon launches HK990 amplifier and HD990 CD player
Top-end audio manufacturer Harman Kardon has just announced the “most powerful” amplifier that the company has ever produced, as well as a matching CD player, for those of you still trading in plastic discs.
I could happily regurgitate the press release about how the amplifier’s power is achieved with its “EzSet/EQ room optimisation”, but all you really need to know is that it sounds lovely. The CD player sounds similarly lovely, thanks to a built-in digital sound processor, and linear smoothing to stop jitters.
Both models are available now from your favourite local Hi-Fi retailer, and they’ll cost you £1000 for the amp and £500 for the CD player. That’s relatively affordable, so if you’re looking to start up a separates collection, then this would be a great place to start.
CES 2009: Arcam shows off the FMJ T32 Hi-Fi DAB tuner
This is the very pretty, but very expensive Arcam T32 Hi-Fi DAB tuner. As you’d expect from Arcam, it’s a top-end bit of kit, with a top-end price tag to match. Although it’s essentially just a radio, it also comes with a high-end iPod interface.
It’s got a DAB tuner, with band III and L-band reception, it’s DAB+ compatible, and there’s also an AM/FM tuner onboard, too, if for some reason you decide that DAB is too nice-sounding. Lastly, the iPod interface is viewable from the front of the display, so you can scroll through artists and tracks on the LCD screen of the device.
It’s yours for £500. That’s not cheap, but this isn’t a cheapy-made bit of kid. Full details are on the Arcam site.
For more products and releases from CES 2009, click here.
Rip, record and playback MP3s with the Onkyo-FR-N9FX hi-fi
Does anyone still use mini disks? If so, you will be pleased to hear that Onkyo has not forgotten about you. They have embrace you with a big, warm hug along with the whole digital music public by featuring USB Direct Play in their latest FR-N9FX music system. f you’re not familiar with this tech, it means you can play MP3s and WMAs directly from a USB stick…
PURE intros Avanti Flow: fully equipped radio with iPod dock
It seems the fashion for sticking an iPod dock on audio products still hasn’t died, with PURE launching its latest radio unit, the Avanti Flow, complete with Apple-friendly port.
The star feature of the unit is the almost complete coverage of modern radio standards. Not only is there FM radio, but also DAB and Internet radio, which can also be used to catch up with previously broadcasted shows (from the BBC, for example)…
Marantz launches Bluetooth wireless iPod dock and hi-fi receiver
We’re pretty selective about what iPod docks we cover at Tech Digest, given that there must be hundreds of them floating about now and they’re all much of a muchness. However, we like Marantz, so the latest Bluetooth wireless iPod dock is definitely worth a mention.
First up, the dock looks good. It’s compact, holds the larger iPods at a nice angle (pictured is the iPod touch), and should fit in anywhere…
Marantz launches high-performance amp and CD player
Marantz has announced its latest high-end amplifier and separate CD player.
The PM8003 stereo amplifier can deliver up to 200 watts across two channels, has an oversized bespoke toroidal transformer, is made with hand-selected components including Shottky barrier diodes and Marantz’s Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules.
Functions include Source Direct, which bypasses the tone control circuitry, and Amp Direct, which allows the PM8003 to be used solely as a power amplifier…
Klipsch P-39F and Jamo R 907 speakers cry "What economic slowdown?"
Klipsch, makers of expensive, but quality, hi-fi equipment, has announced a new set of speakers – the Palladium P-39Fs. They’re floorstanding, sound fantastic, and they’re the “pinnacle of horn-loaded technology”. “Actually girls, I think you’ll find that I’m the pinnacle of horn-loaded technology…”, etc etc.
Yamaha intros four mini audio systems, all with iPod docks
While we try to limit the number of iPod-friendly audio equipment featured on Tech Digest these days, when something comes along from Yamaha it’s usually worth paying attention to, even if it does have a big slot in the top for Apple’s music player.
The latest mini systems from Yamaha aren’t necessarily the most attractive (they look a little bit “squished” for my liking) but they pack a fair punch specs wise…
Pioneer intros sleek, audiophile-friendly Series 8 speakers
Pioneer has announced its new line of Series 8 audiophile-quality speakers, available in three models: S-81 floor-standing, S-81B-LR bookshelf, and S-81C centre speaker.
Created by an international team of acoustic engineers, they feature an advanced speaker unit construction including concentric tweeter/midrange driver, a tweeter made from titanium, and Harmonised Synthetic Diaphragm Optimum Method technology which can reproduce the very high frequencies found in high definition recordings…
Arcam intros FMJ CD17-A18 high end hi-fi components
Arcam has announced the availability of its FMJ CD17-A18, an upgrade to its entry-level DiVA hi-fi system.
The FMJ A18 amplifier replaces the DiVA A70 and features 50 watts of continuous power per channel, logic-controlled pre-amp, resonance damped chassis, low-noise toroidal transformer, and remote control unit.
The FMJ CD17 CD player replaces the DiVA CD73 and features the latest Wolfson 8741 24-bit digital-analogue converters, ultra-precise clocking, EMC damping, and remote control unit…
