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Focusrite launches iTrack Solo, a two channel interface for iOS and desktops (video)
There's a stack of different plugs, cables and connectors aimed at piping sound into your iPad, but when studio-stalwart Focusrite makes one, we pay attention. The iTrack Solo is a two channel interface compatible with the iPad, as well as your Mac or PC, offering mobile recording all the way up to 24-bit / 96kHz. The onboard preamp is the same as used in the brand's flagship Liquid Saffire 56 interface, and there's phantom power for microphones. As well as the mic-in there's a quarter-inch input for guitars etc., as well as a chunky volume control for monitoring. Front "halo" indicators change from green to red if your recording levels go too high, and the aluminum casing should prevent it from getting damaged at the bottom of any gig bag. Once you've created a masterpiece in Garageband (or other recording app), you can use the line-level phono outputs to run it through your sound system of choice. Sound like something you can get down to? You'll be able to get your hands on the iTrack Solo starting next month, and it'll set you back $160 at your local dealer -- in the meantime, you can jam on the PR after the break.
iRig Pre makes iOS device a pre-amp
IK Multimedia is always coming out with new ways for musicians to use their iOS devices to assist in performing or recording. Now the company has introduced the iRig PRE, a mic preamp designed to let you use standard XLR mics with your iPhone or iPad. The unit (US$39.99) won't be available until the early part of the second quarter of 2012, but when it's finally in the hands of music makers everywhere, they'll enjoy the features of the iRig PRE. It's powered by a standard 9V battery, and can amp up a dynamic mic for up to 40 hours or a condenser mic for up to 15 hours. The dongle, which plugs into the headset port on your device, also has a 3.5 mm jack for monitoring your music, auto gain control, and the aforementioned XLR jack. IK Multimedia plans to ship iRig Recorder and VocaLive with the PRE, so if you're not already an owner of these apps you'll get a nice bonus. The full scoop from IK Multimedia is hidden below -- push the button, Frank. Show full PR text IK Multimedia presents iRig PRE The universal microphone interface for iPhone/iPod touch/iPad January 2012 – IK Multimedia is proud to present iRig™ PRE, the ultimate solution for connecting any type of microphone – from regular stage microphones to expensive studio models – to any iPhone, iPhone touch or iPad providing access to the widest range of recording applications. iRig PRE is the first high-quality microphone preamp designed specifically for iOS devices that allows musicians to use their favorite high-quality stage or studio mics with their iOS device. The microphone plugs directly into the standard XLR connector of iRig PRE with no need for extra cables or adapters. Its adjustable thumbwheel gain control allows the user to easily make precise level settings. The onboard 9V battery provides the necessary voltage for phantom-powered studio condenser microphones for at least for 15 hours of continuous use. The 3.5mm (1/8") standard stereo headphone output allows monitoring while recording. The lightweight housing sports a convenient cable for iOS device connection and also includes a Velcro strip slot for easy mounting on a mic stand or other stage locations. Like all other IK Multimedia microphones, it includes 2 free apps: iRig Recorder (an easy-to-use recording/editing app) and VocaLive (an effects processing app for singers). And like the entire range of iRig accessories, it's highly portable thanks to its pocket-sized form factor for recording anywhere. iRig PRE features -40 cm (15.75") TRRS cable to connect to any iOS device headset jack -XLR input connector for microphones -Gain control -+48 V phantom power -Headphone output -On/Off switch -Power/Phantom Power provided by 9V battery -Battery life is approximately 40 hours with dynamic microphones and 15 hours with phantom powered condenser studio microphones. Pricing and availability iRig PRE costs only $39.99/€29.99 (excluding taxes) and will be available in early Q2 2012 from electronic and music retailers around the world.
Sing hello to the iRig PRE, turns iOS devices into on-the-fly mic preamps
IK Multimedia's never fallen short of giving you some of the better tools for all your on-the-go music-making utilizing your beloved iOS device as the main rig. Now, the peripheral connoisseur's taking the wraps off its iRig PRE, which aims to help you digitally process those glorious vocal chords by allowing you to plug in any XLR mic into it without the need for other adapters or cables. Furthermore, the dongle features a 3.5mm jack for audio monitoring, gain control and can squeeze a runtime of up to 40 hours (dynamic microphones) or 15 hours (phantom powered condenser mics) from a standard 9V battery. The PRE amp will also come included with two of iRig's usual suspect apps (iRig Recorder and VocaLive) to help you get started in your quest to be the next idol. We know you can't wait to get your singing on, but you'll have to wait until "early Q2" to do so, for a moderate price of $39.99 -- perhaps the iRig Mic can get you through the days in the meantime.
IK Multimedia introduces new iRig mic, mixer, and stompbox at CES
IK Multimedia is showing off new products in the North Hall of CES 2012 in Las Vegas this week, and they were one of our first stops around the Las Vegas Convention Center. IK Multimedia is behind the popular Amplitube software, and has seen a lot of success with the iRig guitar port for iOS, and its followup, the iRig mic. In fact, given all of that success, IK is really going all out with the iRig brand, introducing a slew of new products to both bring audio in and out of iOS devices. The most impressive new tool on display at the show is the iRig Mix, a mobile two-track mixer that's designed to work with your iPhone or iPad. At its base, this is just a really solid mixer -- audio comes in via two 1/8" jacks at the top, and while those jacks are meant for iPad or iPhone audio, they'll really work with any input of that kind. Each side of the mixer has separate knobs for gain, treble, and bass, and of course either track can be cued through another headphone jack at the bottom and buttons above each slider. There's a master volume and sliders for both tracks, and of course there's a third slider to choose which one (or both) of the tracks is playing. The really interesting switch on the mixer is something labeled "X-Sync." This one is designed to work with a new app coming from IK called DJ Rig, which itself will allow you to mix and match two different songs (so technically, you could mix four songs together, with two iOS devices and the iRig mixer). Basically, it will use the DJ Rig app to beat match any audio coming in from one track with the other. So you could have a CD player hooked up to one side, and the DJ Rig app hooked up to the other side, and X-Sync will figure out the beats per minute of the CD player's song, and command DJ Rig to automatically match it up when mixing. The process is pretty cool, and adds yet another feature to an already very powerful (and relatively tiny) $99 mixer. The casing is plastic, however, so that likely helps keep the cost low. IK also was showing off the new iRig Stomp at the show -- it's (as you might have guessed from the title) a stomp box that's designed to work with the iOS version of Amplitube, so on-stage guitarists can control their audio output just by hitting a button with their foot. The Stomp will run about $60, and be available "soon," according to IK. Elsewhere at the booth, we also got to see the new iRig Mic Cast, which is a tiny little microphone designed to plug right into the iPhone or iPad's headphone port. It's relatively inexpensive, for just $39.99, and has two different settings, depending on whether you're recording close sound in a loud environment, or louder sounds in a more quiet setting. The Mic Cast also has a headphone port on it so you can listen in while recording, and will work with IK's VocalLive app, or any other app that accepts audio through the headphone port. And finally, we were shown the iRig Preamp, which is $49 and should be out in April. It's pretty simple -- a preamp for balanced mic use, which means you can use an XLR mic with your iPhone or iPod touch. The iRig Mic of course plugs right into the phone, but the preamp allows you to go between your own mic and the iPhone or iPad. iRig Preamp IK Multimedia has a long history of making audio products, but with these releases, the company has almost completely decided to focus on products compatible with Apple's iOS devices. As IK's rep told us, the company now has a full set of gadgets to record a band with, all going into its own iOS apps. The Gorrilaz did just that, in fact. Previously, IK made projects for a niche set of musicians looking for high quality audio software, but with Apple's App Store and all of the products that have come out of Amplitube for iOS, IK now focuses on a much wider audience of musicians (with iPhones and iPads) of all skill levels and budgets. It's very interesting to see such an established company get changed so much by the App Store, and I'd doubt this is the last we've yet seen of IK's popular iRig brand.
Samsung unveils new HTIB systems plus audio docks with Galaxy S and iPhone support
While it's hardly pulling the curtain back on its entire CES 2012 slate of products, Samsung's earliest preview for your AV pleasure is an updated range of HTIB systems and sound bars, as well as two new Audio Docks that support Apple devices as well as its own Galaxy S phones and players. The DA-E750 Audio Dock (pictured above) is the first to include Samsung's "hybrid vacuum tube amplifier technology" which it claims raises the bar for mainstream audio products, by delivering the clear sound output of digital combined with the natural sound of a vacuum tube in its preamp. Both docks will play from and charge both Samsung and Apple hardware, as well as stream music wirelessly via AllShare or AirPlay, although the DA-E670 lacks that high end vacuum tube tech. For your entire home theater needs, the new HT-E6730W 7.1 Blu-ray 3D HTIB features the same vacuum tube tech as the DA-E750, while the HT-E5500W boasts an iPod dock and 3D sound effects.Finally the HW-E550 Surround Sound Bar also produces 3D sound with vertically mounted speakers and comes with its own wirelessly connected subwoofer. One other new feature this year is the "Disc to Digital" integration in the HT-E5500W's Blu-ray player which will give users access to streaming copies of eligible discs just by registering into the player. It sounds like it's powered by Ultraviolet, although we'd expect to hear more about that closer to the show. Check after the break for press releases, and the gallery for a few pics of all this hardware -- if you know anything about Samsung, you know the onslaught has only just begun.
Marantz Reference gear in the Carlyle hotel spoils you for clock radio
While our typical hotel coverage involves HDTVs and/or special programming, we'll make an exception for the Marantz/DALI audio setup getting dropped into the Empire Suite of Manhattan's Carlyle hotel. We won't make any guesses about what the rack rate is for the duplex suite in the swank hotel, but it's got to be cheaper than the audio system, which combines four MA-9S2 mono amps, an SC-7S2 preamp and SA-7S1 SACD deck from Marantz's Reference lineup with a pair of DALI MEGALINE III speakers. All told, that's about $47,000 of Marantz gear and another cool $60,000 for the speakers, all to deliver good old two-channel. Might we suggest staying in and ordering room service?
Emotiva sets the UMC-1 processor for next month, more goodies to come
The long (really long for some) wait for Emotiva's UMC-1 AV processor looks like it will be coming to a close soon. A lucky few will get in on a small pilot run of UMC-1s later this month, and mass shipments starting in July will start whittling down the preorder list. It sounds like the UMC-1 has been put through the wringer, with the latest bug fixes centered on some pesky HDMI handshake issues (and you wonder why some folks are iffy on HDMI 1.4). Also getting mention was the company's new $399 USP-1 stereo preamp with a HT bypass, also due in July. If you're a fan of being on wait-lists, though, how about the XSP preamp with balanced connections due for sometime before the year is out, or the Class H, 7x400Watt XPR-7 amplifier that's penned in for the top of Emotiva's amplifier lineup whenever it's ready? Well done, Emotiva -- give us something and keep us wanting more in one announcement!
Anthem makes a statement with its flagship D2v pre-pro
You did take that money set aside for your next preamp-processor upgrade out of the stock market didn't you? Better hope so if you had your heart set on the Anthem Statement D2v -- the flagship model is now shipping, complete with eight HDMI 1.3 inputs and a pair of outputs, top notch video processing courtesy the VXP silicon, and four DSP cores handling audio duties with support for high resolution audio formats and of course, Anthem's Room Correction (ARC) software. Oh yeah, and a (gulp) $7,500 price tag. Most definitely overkill, but we wouldn't expect anything less from an Anthem flagship. If your heart and wallet are up to it, check after the break for the full press release and a few more pics -- window shopping never hurt, right?
McCormack Audio debuts new amplifier, preamplifier for two-channel holdouts
We don't spill too much ink on 2-channel audio, but it's a mainstay of any music lover's diet. An old name from stereo audio that we had lost track of, McCormack, has recently popped back up with a new LD-2 preamp and DNA-250 and DNA-750 amplifiers. The brand has come a long way since its Mod Squad beginnings and now operates under the Conrad-Johnson banner, but the design (inside and out) sound like pure McCormack -- "Line Drive" architecture on the $2495 RLD-1 and "Distributed-Node" topology on the both the DNA-250 ($3995, 2x250-Watts) and DNA-750 (1000-Watt monoblock) amplifiers. For those not in the know, the McCormack name always delivered great sound (right on par with, Bryston, for example), and we expect nothing less from these components when they ship this month.
Integra rolls ISF calibration into top-end AV receivers, preamp-processor
Here's an idea that makes sense -- since AV receivers do the video switching and format conversion, why not put the image calibration in there, too? Integra is doing exactly that with its DTR-8.9 ($1,900) and DTR-9.9 ($2,600) receivers, as well as the DHC-9.9 ($2,000) preamp-processor. Better yet, this functionality will conform to ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) protocols so all you pixel-peepers can sleep easy. This makes it possible to calibrate your video sources independently, so you're not limited by the number of inputs you have on your display device. The only problem we see with this is that your ISF tech has to shoulder the extra work of setting up more calibrations.
Parasound Halo P 7 preamp for analog purists in a multichannel world
Parasound certainly has a contingent of audio-only fans amongst its customer list, but even the 2-channel crowd must get curious about all this recent multichannel craze that just isn't fading away. And that must be who the new P 7 preamplifier is targeted at. Either that or the company just really, really wants to define a new product category. In the case of the P7, that would be the "7.1-channel, analog-only preamplifier" category. The back panel tells the story on this unit -- a gaggle of RCA inputs (seven L/R stereo pairs and two 7.1-channel sets), with XLR and RCA outputs. No digital audio goes in, and none comes out. Bass management is done the old fashioned way, in the analog realm. Might we suggest that you spend that $2,000 on a "lowbrow" AV receiver instead? Just put it off to the side of your audio-only rig, right next to the popcorn. Let's face it -- you're slumming it with multichannel anyways, right?
Cash in on old McIntosh gear with the Trade-UP program
Okay, it's not like we expect the typical McIntosh customer to exactly be clipping coupons, but the company is offering up some incentive to get owners to upgrade their gear. The new Trade-UP program credits owners 75-percent of the original MSRP as a trade-in on any working McIntosh amp, preamp, integrated amp or receiver, good towards the purchase of some of the company's newfangled gear. This is a limited time offer, so get to it. And if you're worried that any new McIntosh gear will look out of place, don't -- the same chrome, blue backlighting, analog meters and Olde English logos are still in use today. So yeah, this moves McIntosh ahead of our college textbooks, cars, most of our stocks and even our homes in terms of maintained value. Don't let anyone tell you you're wasting money on gear again. [Image courtesy The High Fidelity Museum]
Krell unleashes its Evolution 707 preamp/processor
The Krell name has always been synonymous with glorious overdesign, and its new Evolution 707 preamp/processor won't spoil that rep. Inputs (including four HDMI 1.3) are routed through to 12 outputs, each with single-ended and balanced taps. Sounds like a lot, but once you factor in the two center channel and four subwoofer outputs, it somehow doesn't sound as extreme as 8.4-channels might otherwise. Naturally, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA are supported, and there's a processing bypass mode for those who want to do the "straight wire with gain" thing. Video specs aren't skimpy, either -- a maximum color depth of 48 bits, 340 MHz bandwidth, and upconverting to 1080p are all onboard. The linked post indicates the unit is nearly 10-feet tall. Sounds like a typo to us, but this is Krell we're dealing with! Tipping the scales at 50-pounds, you'll pay $600 per pound to take this beast home.
Classe SSP-800 preamp / processor arrives this month
If you're one of the lucky few who can afford Classe gear, chances are you've been waiting for its SSP-800 preamp/processor combo for a while now. We don't know what it is about Canada, but it certainly has its share of high end deliciousness. Part of Classe's Delta series of components, the 10-channel SSP-800 is slated to show up this month at $8000 MSRP, and features a good-looking touchpanel control up front. Looks don't tell the whole story, though -- there's also some serious silicon brains inside the tank-like chassis. Processing is handled by a 64-bit TI DSP that is replaceable for "future proofing," and the video circuitry can handle 36-bit Deep Color. In our world of rapidly evolving changing standards, we tend to take the term "future-proof" with a dash of salt and can't justify purchase of this kind of gear for our own rigs. But if you've got the coin and want to invite us over, we'd be happy to oblige.
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.
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.
Yamaha gets official with CD-S2000 SACD player, A-S2000 amplifier
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]
Rotel intros RSP-1069 processor/preamp
High-end stalwart Rotel is taking the wraps off its new RSP-1069 HT processor/preamp at CEDIA this week. This is an update to, you guessed it, the RSP-1068 model. The simple front panel hides some nice HT goodies inside. Decoding functions are handled by the TI Aureus DSP (not to be confused with Aurea), but conspicuously absent form the press release is mention of Dolby True HD or DTS-HD. Digital and analog video sources are upsampled by Faroudja DCDi, up to 1080p. Four HDMI inputs and three component inputs are around back to keep your video flowing. And since this is a CEDIA debut, you know Rotel didn't skimp on the automation and "whole home" angles. Three 12V triggers and a RS-232 serial connection are available for custom installers, and there are three additional zones of stereo+video so you can be entertained throughout the homestead. Silver or black finish, $2199.UPDATE: Our man at CEDIA just confirmed via a Rotel rep that HDMI 1.3 is a no-go on this processor. Thanks, Darren!
CEntrance's MicPort Pro makes your podcasting dreams come true
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]
New Gryphon Mirage amp brings ultra-hifi to the "people"
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.
