On one hand, the designs of Yamaha's latest devices could have easily been ripped straight from last century, but in another sense, there's a certain level of attractiveness that comes with brushed aluminum AV components sporting retro-inspired buttons / knobs. Nevertheless, the CD-S2000 SACD / CD player (which arrives in silver or black motifs) plays nice with MP3 / WMA files and sports analog, optical / coaxial digital and XLR audio outputs. As for the A-S2000, it's available in the same two hues and can crank out up to 190-watts x 2 at 4-ohms or 120-watts x 2 at 8-ohms. Apparently marketed towards the high-end crowd, neither of these December-bound units come cheap, as the CD-S2000 will demand ¥208,950 ($1,824) while the A-S2000 rings up at an equally staggering ¥176,400 ($1,540).

[Via AudioJunkies]

You know, sometimes you want a preamp, but not too much preamp. Well, CEntrance has got you all-kinds of covered on that tip with its new, self-contained, microphone-attaching, USB-based MicPort Pro. The premise of the device is simple: it turns any single microphone or instrument into a self-powered, single channel, 24-bit / 96KHz audio interface -- all you have to do is hook it up to your computer with the supplied USB cable. The MicPort also features a headphone out, if you want to create the wackiest closed-loop situation ever, though it looks like the company is intending this for podcasters and the like, given that it allows any and all XLR-based mics to be plugged directly into your USB port. Shipping now (or so the company says) for $149.95.

[Via Harmony Central]

While we must question the sanity of a manufacturer that bills their 16,900 Euro (21,188 US) amplifier as "more accessible and more flexible than ever before," we really can't argue with the end results. Gryphon's new Mirage Control Amplifier is being targeted at the custom home installation market, which is apparently fairly "consumer" for Gryphon's taste, and if they manage to pull this off without sullying their precious "audiophile cred," it looks like they've got a winner here. The main innovation present here is a wireless control section that can be mounted to the preamp box (as pictured) or can float freely, with the boxy preamp stashed away out of sight. Gryphon also has developed dedicated software that can be purchased separately to integrate the unit with AMX or Creston home automation systems for a close approximation of multi-room audio. There's also that fancy "magic wand" remote, which doesn't quite look like the Harry Potter variety, but happens to be built out of solid aluminum just like all the rest of these components, so we're not complaining. We're not exactly sure when this thing is available, but it looks like if you've got the Euro you should be able to finagle one this month or so.