Category: Home audio
IWOOT brings Ion's iProfile vinyl to iPod turntable to the UK
The turntable is basically a step on from the USB turntable of yore – the key differences is that it cuts out the PC. So users plonk their iPod/iPhone in the slot, start playing the record and the device converts the record's sounds into MP3 audio files.
SHINY VIDEO REVIEW: Kerchoonz K-Box
We previewed the K-Box last month and since then I’ve been putting it through its paces. Check out my video review below. Be warned though, I am sporting some huge bags under my eyes due to an incredibly heavy session at Royal Ascot yesterday. It was Pimms o’clock all day.
So overall, not bad, but not great either. At nearly fifty quid once you’ve paid for delivery, not too cheap either.
If you did want to get yourself a K-Box then go direct to Kerchoonz.
Vita Audio announces R2i compact audio player
For a company that only launched in 2006, Vita Audio is making quite a name in the world of compact music systems.
We previewed the R2 back in 2007, and it went on to win a What Hi-Fi award later that year. The R2i is basically an upgrade to that system – this time complete with an iPod dock. That’s what the ‘i’ stands for, but you knew that already, right?
There’s no arguing that the system looks quite sexy, although the visual appearance is somewhat over-hyped by Vita Audio’s official description of the three versions available – “Rich Walnut Veneer”, “Dream White” and “Midnight Black” – wooden, white and black to you and me.
The specs are fairly standard for a music system such as this. 20-watts output and, as you’d expect, the unit is capable of DAB and FM radio as well as the, useless in the UK, DAB+ format. It also contains a line-in for an iPod that is pre-2004 or, heaven forbid, a portable music player that isn’t of the Apple variety.
There’s also two more, gold plated, phono sockets at the back which could be used to utilise the system in a recording setup, or could even be used as a line-in for a TV/DVD system.
One cool feature is that it will remember the volume settings when you are using the headphone socket. This is not only useful and a time-saver, it also has the potential for a hilarious practical joke – and subsequent visit to the ENT department at the hospital.
It’s available only at selected retailers. These retailers all happen to be what my mum calls, “the posh shops” – John Lewis, Selfridges, Harrods and so forth. This demonstrates that the R2i is not only a nice bit of kit, it may also enhance your suave reputation.
The R2i should retail at £279.99 for the walnut version and £20 more for the white and black versions.
Naim launches all-in-one NaimUniti home entertainment machine
UK audio manufacture gods Naim is taking a step into the unknown this morning with the launch of their first all-in-one unit. The NaimUniti comprises an integrated amplifier, CD player, DAB/FM tuner, internet radio player, iPod & MP3 dock, digital to analogue converter, USB & network-stored music file player and network streamer. Kitchen sink not included.
You get 10 inputs with 50-watt-per-channel amplifier action and the idea is that it sits as your all purpose box in pride of place in your living. Under the telly springs to mind. You can play music from USB, stream media over your network and you can start plugging in your satellite box, DVD player and games console too.
It’s available now for a pretty reasonable £1995 with the n-link iPod connector cable for another £95. While you’ve got your wallet out, Naim also recommends a pair of £770 Naim n-SAT speakers as the perfect accompaniment.
NaimUniti Specifications
Audio Outputs – Speaker output Line output (L+R RCA) Sub output (2 Mono outputs via RCA) Pre-amp output (DIN)
Tape Output Fixed – 275mV, 600
Preamp Output load -10k to 8
Frequency response – 20Hz – 50 kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio – 80dB
Phase response on CD – Linear phase, absolute phase correct
Power output – 50WPC into 8Ù 90WPC into 4 Ù
Other outputs – Headphone 3.5mm jack
Antenna inputs F type
Analogue inputs – 3.5mm socket on front 3 x RCA 1*DIN with power to support
Stageline phono stage
Digital Inputs – 5 SPDIF (2xoptical, 2xcoaxial, 1*3.5mm jack) Input overload 27 dB (Rear panel connections) (Front panel: 33.8 dB) USB Front panel socket
Other inputs – Ethernet and iPod (analogue)
Remote input – Rear panel
RS232 – Rear panel
Audio files supported – Internet radio (WMA, MP3 Streams, MMS) Playlists (M3U,
PLS) MP3, AAC (up to 320 kbps, CBR/VBR) Apple Lossless (from iPod) Windows Media-formatted content (up to 320 kbps) WAV, FLAC, OGG Vorbis CD formats disc compatibility Redbook and CD-R Supply Voltage 100-120V or 220V to 240V, 50/60 Hz
Dimensions (H x W x D) – 87 x 432 x 314mm
Weight – 11.3kg
Finish – Black
Philips NP2900 – MP3 streaming with sound engineering
Part of me thinks that Philips is too scared to give its products proper names in case we’re disappointed with what they produce. It’s a bit of a shame really because the quite dry sounding Philips NP2900 is actually a very nice piece of kit.
What we’re looking at is an apparently well designed, well engineered £249 machine that’ll work over Wi-Fi to play streamed MP3s from your hard drive and all billions of internet radio stations too.
Better still, the NP, er, what was that number again, comes with a new Philips technology they call LivingSound which aims to expand the stereo sweet spot of the system with a series of precisely angled drivers within the four speakers and specially levelled internal amps. The plan is to broaden the soundscape as much as possible.
Naturally, it also comes with Philips FullSound tech too which aims to unruin the ruin caused by MP3 file compression at the slight expense of having to guess what the music is supposed to sound like. Perhaps not a technology for the purist but then nor are MP3s.
Available from May ’09 (this month)
Philips Ariaz and Opus GoGear Review:
Serpent Speakers offer flexible audio without that hissing noise
Snakes don’t have ears – they rely on vibrations to go about their snaky business, but if they did they’d surely appreciate these aesthetically pleasing “Serpent Speakers” by designer Ben Wahrich.
R2-D2 Boom Box by Bill McMullen
If R2-D2 were a transformer, this is what his alternate state would be, possibly reaffirming his status as one of the most badass robots in the galaxy, whether it be ours or one far, far away.
It’s been suggested that this stunningly fantastic and, sadly, non-functioning ghetto blaster by artist Bill McMullen…
Marantz go "budget" with the CR502 CD/Tuner mini system
Most products from Marantz usually get me nodding with approval and their CR502 CD/Tuner mini-system has already got my neck muscles twitching.
First up, it looks great and, if you’re after something compact that’ll fit into the right kind of space in your luxury pad, then aesthetic concerns are probably fairly high up your list. It’s got a nice sleek aluminium chassis and all the cables are carefully tucked in around the back.
Tick. So what about the…
Soundshelf: taking the term "bookshelf speakers" very literally indeed
Come on, hands up who wants a Soundshelf? Yes, me too. I’ll take eight. They’re only a concept for now, or a prototype anyway, but I have a feeling this is one of those inventions that will be seeing the light of day.
Polish designers Witek Stefaniak and Anielka Zdanowicz, apart from having names that look like anagrams, have taken a look at modern day speakers and said…
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.
