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Line 6 and Planet Waves brings guitar and amp control to iPhone
Apple's closing out the new application talk today at WWDC with a demo from Line 6 and Planet Waves, who have joined the Cupertino-based company in order to give your iPhone the ability to control your guitar and amplifier. Sadly, the wireless communication between the Line 6 Variax guitar and the iPhone on stage had some issues, though the folks assured us we could see more later on at Line 6's website. If this thing manages to function, it will also let you re-tune your six-string and change models on the fly. No word on price or availability just yet, but we'll let you know if either of those factoids appear.
NAD jumps into Class D with its new M2 Direct Digital Amp
Even though Class D switching amplifiers are relatively new to consumer electronics, they are receiving attention; thankfully at least some of it from the engineering (as opposed to marketing) departments. NAD has decided to enter into the fray with its Masters Series M2 Direct Digital Amplifier, a 200 250-Watt stereo offering that can accept a PCM signal directly and run it through a digital volume control before making the transition to analog current to drive your speakers. Don't worry -- it plays nicely with your other components -- there's also an ADC stage so that the unit can accept analog inputs from traditional preamplifiers. The press release touts NAD's work on the feedback stage, and there's nary a mention of ICEpower modules, so it's a good bet that the M2 is NAD's own design and not a repackaged reference kit. Sounds great, but the $6,000 price leaves us sobbing -- thankfully, this is NAD, so you can expect the tech to move down the line in the future. Hit the link for the full details.
HifiMAN HM-801 PMP promises to make audiophiles happy, wallets hurt
Audiophiles can be a particular bunch when it comes to portable media players and, at the very least, can often be found carrying a not-so-discreet portable amp around with their PMP. This new HifiMAN HM-801 device aims to make their lives a tad easier, however, with it combining a Burr-Brown PCM1704 DAC and a OPA627 op-amp in a single modular unit that'll also let folks swap in their own amp of choice if they so desire. As you might expect, however, while it doesn't cut any corners when it comes to sound quality (including full support for FLAC and lossless WMA), it's pretty no frills otherwise, with no video support or other media-related features to speak of, and no internal storage of its own (you'll have to rely on SDHC cards). At $700, it unsurprisingly also doesn't come cheap, although Head-Fi.org forum members that pre-order it in advance of the June release can at least save $100.[Via SlashGear]
Ion Audio's Tailgater is the iPod dock that salutes those who rock
Those who live rock and roll lifestyles need accessories that look the part, accessories like the Ion Audio Tailgater. It's a $199 iPod dock that, with a few scuffs and scratches and stickers, wouldn't look too out of place getting kicked around on-stage at the club. It works with any iPod (first- and second-gen users will have to made do with playback via the headphone jack) including the iPhone and Touch, has inputs for mics or other instruments, and even has an integrated battery for up to eight hours of rocking out when you're way out. Now all you need is a gaggle of roadies to carry it there for you.[Via iLounge]
Aspen Media Products intros 2009 HTPC lineup, includes DIY model
Aspen Media Products is probably even less known than the relatively unknown Okoro Media Systems, but it's hoping to break through somewhat with its stout 2009 HTPC lineup. The most interesting newcomer is unquestionably the AMP CL-1058DIY, which is supposedly aimed at the DIY crowd and starts at $949. For that, you get a chassis, a CableCARD tuner, optional 5.1 or 7.1 amplifier and freedom of choice when it comes to options such as processor, memory, storage and adding an additional CableCARD tuner. Think of it as partial barebones, we guess. The CL-1058BD (pictured) and CL-1058BDH are there for folks not looking to touch any silicon, and those can be ordered up right now starting at $1,049 and $1,349, respectively.[Via Electronic House]
Sunfire ships high-end Theater Grand processor and amplifiers
If this recession isn't even close to fazing you, Sunfire's got a few components to sell you. The outfit has just started shipping its Theater Grand line of processors and amplifiers, and even the least expensive of the bunch would shock the average home cinema shopper. The TGP-401 processor ($3,500), TGA-7401 Theater Grand Amplifier ($4,450) and TGA-7201 Grand Amplifier ($3,250) are all leaving the docks as we speak, and those with the means to finance one can certainly venture down to the read link for all the nitty-gritty specs. As for the rest of us, at least we've something to aspire to, right?
VFD from VCR generates 40 VDC to power DIY amp
So, this is a pretty ingenious use of spare time. With a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) from a VCR used as the amplifier, a crafty DIY-er was able to power a pair of headphones. We'll be honest, the wiring specifics are totally irrelevant to our interests, but this sure does look awesome and we might buy one if it was commercially available. The amplified power is, in the maker's own words, "limited," but that's not really the point, and we have a feeling that Thomas Dolby sounded just as scientific (and awesome) as he would through the greatest headphones ever made. [Via Make]
Fiio's E5 headphone amplifier clearly admires Apple's iPod shuffle
Not that we haven't seen a headphone amp that's made for one of Apple's DAPs before, but Fiio's latest actually mimics the latest shuffle to sashay out of Cupertino's lair. The device reportedly puts out 150mW at 16-ohms with a rate distortion of <0.009% at 10mW. The rechargeable battery (which gets juiced via USB) is said to be good for around 20 hours of use, and while it's difficult to say exactly how awesome this thing is, the $20 price tag sure is tempting.[Via SlashGear]
Yamaha brings the style with A-S700 / CD-S700 audio components
About this time last year, Yamaha treated us to its CD-S2000 SACD player and A-S2000 amplifier, both of which sported that timeless look that was just too dazzling to hide away in some AV cabinet. This year, the outfit is keeping with the trend by introducing the equally stunning (and even more silver) A-S700 amplifier and CD-S700 CD player (pictured after the break). The former features 90-watts x 2 of RMS power and gold-plated RCA inputs, while the latter includes a Burr Brown 192kHz/24bit DAC and a USB port for playing back MP3 / WMA files. Both units are destined to hit Japanese audio shops next month for ¥73,500 ($730) and ¥60,900 ($605), respectively.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Anthem chooses CEDIA to reveal 225 integrated amplifier
Anthem may not have the presence of, say, Sony at CEDIA this year, but at least it isn't wasting all of our time by unveiling a $1,500 SACD player. Our apologies to any of you we just offended (yes, all two of you), but seriously, we have a feeling true audiophiles will appreciate the 225 integrated amplifier much more. Designed with music aficionados in mind, this amp provides a phono preamp input that supports Moving Coil (MC) and Moving Magnet (MM) applications and includes solid-state circuitry boards, seven total stereo audio inputs, a universal learning remote and an RS-232 port. The unit boasts 225-watts of pure, clean power per channel at 8-ohms, and while it will set you back $1,499, this $1.5k piece may actually be worth the price of entry.
AMP test drives all-electric Saturn Sky on video
Remember that Ohio-based firm that planned on converting 300 or so Saturn Skys into all-electric roadsters? Advanced Mechanical Products ring a bell? At any rate, said outfit has just hosted up a video of its fourth test drive of a prototype, which is shown sporting an "Electric" badge on the front fender and a whole mess of batteries and wires underneath the hood. Oh, and then there's that unmistakable whizzing sound as it cruises on by. Check out the video after the jump.[Via AutoblogGreen]
Video: Meet Hasbro's Ampbot, the mother of all Rollys
Cross a Segway with a Rolly and Miuro and out pops this A.M.P. soaked in a grey-goo afterbirth of Robotic procreation. The two-wheeled, dancing A.M.P. (Automated Music Personality or Ampbot) from Sega-Hasbro stands 2.4-feet tall and features a MP3 or iPod cradle on its back, stereo speakers, and the ability to follow and interact with its owner. There's a 5-inch mid-range speaker in the chest and a pair of smaller tweeters in the shoulders for a total output of 12 watts. Osamu Takeuchi of Sega Toys says, "The owner can also enjoy being chased around the house by the robot." Uh, yippee? The Ampbot and controller require 6x D and 3x AAA batteries for about 10-hours of continuous music. The stalking begins November for $745 $500 in the US and Japan.Update: Embedded video courtesy of Impress now available after the break. Be warned: the price tag is starting to look modest even at the cost of our own destruction.[Via Physorg and Impress]
AMP offers converted all-electric Saturn Sky in limited run
If you've been bored by your limited all-electric vehicle choices, we've got just the thing for you. After a year of development, Advanced Mechanical Products (or AMP) is taking orders for a limited run of 300 converted Saturn Sky Roadsters, which will be 100 percent electric. The cars can travel roughly 150 miles on a single charge, go 0 to 60 in under six seconds, and can reach a top speed of 90 MPH. The cost of the conversion and vehicle comes to around $50,000, making this one of the more affordable high-performance options around. The cars are expected to ship to buyers in 2009, so you'd better get on that list quick.
Marantz showing off high-end SACD players, amplifiers and more
Though we're not exactly sure if Marantz will be a wholly owned subsidiary of D&M Holdings for much longer, the boutique brand is still planning to strut its stuff at the upcoming Audio Karma Fest in Michigan. Reportedly, the outfit will be showcasing a number of luxurious components from its Reference Series, include the $3,199 SC-11S1 preamplifier, $4,199 SM-11S1 power amplifier, $3,699 SA-11S2 SACD player and the all new $2,599.99 AV8003 Networking AV Preamp / Processor. For those lacking the requisite scratch, the slightly less magnificent SA8001 SACD player ($899.99) and PM7001 integrated amp ($599.99) will also be around. Word has it that all of the items will be demonstrated on Snell loudspeakers, which all in all should deliver a fairly blissful experience.
Adobe Media Player & Adobe TV officially launched
Since everyone else is launching a Flash-based video portal, Adobe itself is mixing things up with the AIR-powered Adobe TV. Via the new Adobe Media Player (AMP) 1.0 standalone app, users browse through assorted content from partners like CBS, Universal Music Group, Viacom, PBS or RSS feeds of video podcasts, while the Adobe TV channel itself focuses on how-to content for the company's various tools like Photoshop and Flash. AMP supports up to 1080p, however while ad-support TV content like The Hills and CSI: NY is disappointingly low-res, there are some HD online shows, but the bitrate's so low it's tough to tell if we're getting all the promised pixels. It's a lightweight download, check it out and see how it measures up to Hulu and the rest of the internet challengers.Read - Adobe TV press releaseRead - Adobe Media Player press release
Reuse an old Apple floppy drive as an amp
We love reading articles like this. Folks who use old gadgets for novel purposes make our geeky little hearts dance. Take as evidence the DIY iPod video projector and the iPod nano slide viewer. Today we came across a post from jeffkobi at Instructables describing how he turned a 5.25" floppy drive into an amplifier. After building a prototype with a Tupperware container, Jeff (can we call you Jeff?) put the guts of a Sonic Impact 5066 T-amp into the drive case (it fit quite nicely, actually), attached a volume knob and in/out ports, connected his iPod and was in business. A retro-amp that looks cool on any desk.Well done, Jeff!
Don't like your pre-amp? Build your own!
If you're big into do-it-yourself electronics, and feeling like your existing off-the-shelf pre-amplifier just isn't cutting it, Hack a day has the plans for you, with schematics and photos of a 7.1-channel pre-amp design sporting RCA, SPDIF, XLR, and USB inputs, and a VFD display to show you what's going on. The design is very professional-looking, and despite the glaring lack of analog tubes, it's sure to please any soldering audiophiles.
Pass Labs reveals $6500 INT-150 integrated amplifier
Looking for a touch of class in your next stereo amplifier? If so, you needn't look much further than Pass Laboratories, which is readying a high-end integrated amp for release at CES. The INT-150 will become the firm's first integrated amplifier, and it's based heavily on the X-150.5 Stereo Amplifier. The device is rated at 150-watts-per-channel into 8-ohms or 300-watts into 4-ohms, and it can handle four RCA inputs / two balanced XLR inputs. Heck, you'll even get a remote made from machined aluminum to match the unit itself, but really, what else would you expect when laying down $6,500? Check out one more angle and a shot of the rear after the jump.
Wooden Ladybug speaker serves no real purpose
What's missing from your life these days? If you said a faux-wood, USB powered, "ladybug" shaped speaker -- well, that's pretty odd. Regardless, now your sick, twisted fantasies can be fulfilled with the Wooden Ladybug mini-PA, a charming yet useless accessory for your desktop. If you don't want to stay shackled to your USB ports, you can also throw in a few AAA batteries and take this on the road. Be sure to show it off to your friends so they can congratulate you on your totally boadacious new sound system. Available now for the shockingly odd and affordable price of $13.76.[Via Technabob]
Nike's Amp+ watch: hearts your heart and iPod, too
Quietly -- too quietly perhaps since Apple hasn't update their site yet -- Nike's $79.00 Amp+ Sport Remote Control just made its first appearance on Nike's online store. That "+" indicates that this device integrates with Apple's wee iPod nano receiver for Nike+ shoes allowing you to wirelessly track and monitor your runs and personal progress. Yes, it's a watch too; an LED display shows the time of day with those biggie, iPod icons appearing only when activated by the remote. It's also water resistant for you Mr. Sweaty McFaty, up to 50-meters in fact just in case your glands react unfavorably to your new Twinkie-free lifestyle. With the Amp+ now shipping, it's reasonable to expect the other unannounced devices we peeped back in January to go to market as well, donchathink?[Thanks, Bernard A.]
