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HD vinyl is a promise, not a product
Günter Loibl thinks vinyl needs an update. Two years ago he filed a patent for a new way to make records, using lasers (rather than a traditional cutting lathe) to pack the grooves tighter and add 30 percent more usable space. Thanks to the laser, it's actually better for the environment too. The promise is records with longer playing times, more dynamic range and extra amplitude. Supposedly you can even enjoy the benefits of "HD vinyl" albums on the turntable and needle you already own. On paper, this all seems like a win-win. But there's a problem: This isn't the first time someone promised an upgraded listening experience, and music collectors tend to be a skeptical bunch. Vinyl lovers have less to complain about lately too, thanks to advances in pressing technology that make new records sound pristine, free from the format's pops and crackles. You won't be able to buy an album on HD vinyl until next year, at least, and once you can, it's going to cost quite a bit more than a traditional album. Loibl's company, Rebeat Innovations, doesn't have any test pressings for proof and won't until at least this August. Still, Loibl wants you to trust him. "Be a little patient and let me convince you," he said.
Oppo continues its legacy with two new top end Blu-ray players
Regarded as the best of the best when it comes to disc players, Oppo has two new ones that can easily handle any disc you've got. Physical media isn't the only game in town, obviously, so in addition to Netflix, Vudu and local file support like MKV, Oppo has stepped it up even further by adding an HDMI port in front for use as an MHL input. This allows you to leverage the high-end Oppo's processing to do wonders on content stored on your portable or other MHL source. Speaking of video processing, both the new guys use Marvell's Qdeo video processor and are capable of doing both 2D-to-3D conversion as well as up-scaling to 4K. From a control perspective, a back-lit remote is included, but there's also an IR input, RS-232 and mobile phone apps. The BDP-103 will surely satisfy any videophile at $499 this October, but if you happen to be an audiophile too, then you'd probably want to wait until the BDP-105 is released later this year. Not only does it feature two ESS Sabre32 Reference DACs and a Toroidal linear power supply, but there are also dedicated stereo outputs with both RCA and XLR balanced connections and a headphone amplifier -- if you know what all that is, we're sure you really want it.
Oppo officially announces BDP-93 Blu-ray player, shows off full specs
It hasn't been long since Oppo's well-received BDP-83 made its debut, but now it's gone, and the company has fleshed out details on the successor to the throne, the BDP-93. say hello to another universal player, now updated with Blu-ray 3D and streaming access to Netflix and Blockbuster over WiFi N. There's two HDMI 1.4a outputs in case your receiver isn't 3D passthrough ready, an eSATA port for playback from hard drives and two USB ports. Retail price? $499. If this is the player you've been waiting for you're probably already on the list, but if not click the source link for a full list of specs on Oppo's site and to register for notification when it goes on sale "soon." [Thanks, Mike]
New Pioneer Elite G-Clef line tempts new would be crop of audiophiles
Pioneer has announced its new, suave-looking Elite G-Clef line, consisting of two integrated stereo amplifiers dubbed the SX-A6MK2 ($700) and SX-A9MK2 ($1,600), along with a pair of CD/SACD players, the PD-D9MK2-K ($1,500) and PD-D6MK2-K ($700). Despite retailing above the brand's new lower-priced receivers also bearing the Elite moniker, the inclusion 192kHz / 24-Bit Burr Brown and Wolfson D / A converters along with twin Mono Symmetrical construction in the amplifiers still positions the G-Clef components as a good value. That's intriguing considering features like SACD playback, Honeycomb Chassis design, Toroidal Transformers, and recreating digitally lost ultra-high harmonics are normally only the things notoriously picky, price-ignoring audiophiles drool over. So we can only surmise Pioneer is trying to breed an entirely new generation of future High-Fi addicts using the G-Clef line as shiny new lure, before iPods packed with 128kbps AAC files become the new sound dungeon the general population will never escape, let alone even notice.
Sony releases entry level SCD-XE800 SACD player in Japan, 10 years too late
Many of us at Engadget -- being the audio geeks that we are -- have rooted for SACD to take off as a format ever since its release in 1999. So we're more than happy to see Sony release the entry level priced SCD-XE800 SACD player. We'd being lying though if we didn't admit confusion over Sony's timing of this release, in what seems to be the twilight years of the cherished audiophile format's life. Even more befuddling perhaps is that this device isn't compatible with multi-channel SACD discs, which was one of the most attractive selling points the medium had going for it to begin with. So if this is some strange underhanded way of Sony alerting the world they're resuscitating the format, it looks like it was thought out over several bottles of sake. If we see a press release about a new Beta Max player coming down the pipe soon, we'll know for certain someone at the electronics giant has clearly lost their marbles.
Denon's 2010 receivers, Blu-ray players are Control4, streaming & 3D ready
Right on time, Denon's dropped the details on its hardware for 2010 on us. Taking top honors are two Blu-ray players: the DBP-2011UDCI ($799, August, not pictured) and the DBP-1611UD ($399, June, pictured above) that are touted as "true universal players"; with DVD-Audio and SACD playback out of the box and Blu-ray 3D on the way in a fall firmware update the company's confident they'll play most any 5-inch optical media you may be able to get your hands on. If you're past discs don't worry, Netflix, DLNA and YouTube streaming is also part of the deal. Those should pair well with any of the slew of receivers due up including the AVR-991 (SRP: $999, July), AVR-891 (SRP: $799, May), AVR-791 (SRP: $499, May), AVR-591 (SRP: $349, May) and the AVR-391 (SRP: $249, July); or the custom install-focused AVR-4311CI (SRP: $1,999, Sept.), AVR-3311CI (SRP: $1,199, June), and AVR-2311CI (SRP: $899, June). All of the above bring HDMI 1.4a repeaters for 3D compatibility, onscreen displays through HDMI, and some include web browsers plus music streaming from Pandora or connected PCs. Check the press releases after the break for all the details including a few new headphone models, though we recommend taking it in just a bit at a time -- the threat of overdosing on this much info is high. %Gallery-91863%
Sony's $200 BDP-S470 is company's first 3D-ready Blu-ray player
And the flood gates are now officially open. Just hours after Panasonic introduced its newest 3D Blu-ray recorders and players, along comes Sony to brag about its first 3D-ready standalone deck. The BDP-S470, which is slated to ship later this month for $200, arrives with the ability to handle BD, DVD, CD and even SACD, with a 3D Blu-ray upgrade (via firmware update) planned for this summer. You'll also find BD-Live support, BRAVIA Internet Video, a USB socket for playing back media stored elsewhere, 1080p DVD upscaling and TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. If you were planning to snag a BDP-S570 BD player or one of the BDV-E770W / BDV-E570 Blu-ray Disc home theater systems, you'll be elated to know that those systems will also get a gratis 3D update in just a few months, with exact pricing and release details tucked down there in the source. Time to pick up a pair of 3D Gunnar Optiks, don'tcha think?
Oppo adds a cheaper Blu-ray player to its lineup with the $289 BDP-80
After wisely avoiding being drowned out by the din of CES product launches Oppo has made official its new BDP-80 Blu-ray player. A lower priced version of the existing BDP-83 hardware (a comparison that should be familiar to owners of the company's DV-980H/DV-983H DVD players,) it still features BD-Live compatibility, DVD-Audio and SACD playback but drops the ABT2010 video processor, aluminum faceplate and some of the audio capabilities of its big brother. Other items sliced to get the price down to $289 from $499 are IR in/out, RS-232 control interfaces, and a backlit remote. Assuming one doesn't want to wait for the rebadged $2,500 Lexicon edition, it should be on sale "soon." Universal player fans looking to save a couple of bucks or bring their own video processor to the party can check Oppo's comparison page or the press release after the break.
McIntosh sneaks MVP881BR universal BD player into its lineup
You didn't really think that McIntosh would let its sister company, Denon, court all the well-heeled Blu-ray shoppers, did you? The company that has long stuck by blue lighting has added the MVP881BR universal Blu-ray player (Blu-ray, SACD, DVD-A, DVD and CD) to its lineup; a perfect match for the company's Blu-ray ready MX150AV controller. As you'd expect from McIntosh, the specs are top-notch without being tech-laden, with Profile 2.0, onboard lossless decoding, analog outputs and 32-bit DACs making the cut. No word on bitstreaming support, but we'd be shocked if the McIntosh unit went missing a checkmark that the Denon flagship deck hits -- in fact, given the engineering that was poured into the Denon, we'd be surprised if the McIntosh wasn't a variation (including chiclet buttons) on the DVD-A1UDCI. No pricing info, but if you make it past the McIntosh velvet rope, money's not a problem.
Onkyo keeps the SACD fires burning
Sure, Blu-ray has its Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA formats to satisfy the audiophiles, but Onkyo has apparently decided that there are still enough US audiophiles to warrant the release of gear previously labeled "Japan-only." With Wolfson DACs and a thermally regulated data clock circuit (you know, to tame those nasty jitters), the $599 C-S5VL SACD deck is ready to tackle your small but irreplaceable library of discs. Pair it up with the $699 A-5VL integrated amp and transport yourself back to a time when you didn't worry about specs -- 40-Watts across two channels, Burr-Brown DACs, and a low-noise preamplifier section should make for a killer small room/office system; and if you're anything close to mainstream, a small room or office is exactly where music listening has been pushed to. Grab the "sweet spot" chair and indulge!
OPPO's long-awaited BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player now shipping
It's been a long (long!) time coming, but we're thrilled to finally be able to say that OPPO's multifaceted BDP-83 is shipping en masse to those willing to part with five bills (or $500, for those working without conversion tables). During our time with the player, we were duly impressed with most every aspect, and if you're still on the hunt for a Blu-ray player that can spin DVD-Audio and SACD on the side, you'll be hard pressed to find a better option than this. So, who's taking the plunge?[Via High-Def Digest]
Oppo BDP-83 pre-orders now open for all (in North America)
Weren't on the invited pre-order list for the Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player? Our tipster Mike gave us the heads up that those not on the initial list can now go ahead and lay down $499 to pre-order one of the universal players, expected to ship sometime between July 1 - 3. All you have to do is check out our hands on or the comments from some previous owners to see why this fast loading, SACD & DVD-Audio playing box is so highly regarded already.[Thanks, Mike]
Marantz UD9004 SACD / Blu-ray player combo priced & dated
Finally, here's a peek at the Marantz UD9004 Blu-ray / SACD player announced a couple of months ago. Besides posing for the cameras, it has a release date and price now available, due in Japan next month at a cool 577,500 yen ($5,894 U.S.) As mentioned, all that doesn't buy DVD-Audio support, but 10-bit Silicon Optix Realta chipset, BD-Live, and RS-232 are present and accounted for those with the requisite taste and pocketbooks.
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?
Onkyo outs audio-centric components in Japan
Onkyo just loves to make new product announcements in batches, and the latest press volley is no exception. Planned for release next month in Japan are the 2.1-channel HTX-11X system, CR-D2LTD CD mini-system with matched D-112EXLTD bookshelf speakers, A-5VL Class D integrated amplifier, and C-S5VL thin SACD deck. Even if the model names don't exactly roll off the tongue, the machine translations tell you most of what you need to know. Here's a quick rundown: the HTX-11X matches up the stereo pair of bookshelf speakers with the amplifier buried in the subwoofer cabinet to the tune of 35-Watts to the sub itself and 17-Watts across each of the 5 remaining taps; if you're putting together something for your executive office, the CR-D2LTD mini-system paired up with the D-112EXLTD speakers will handle your CDs and FM radio; and audiophiles looking to roll their own might find something to like in the 80-mm thin C-S5VL SACD deck and 40-Watt A-5VL Class D integrated amplifier. If you're planning on doing some shopping in Akihabara soon, go past the break for pretty pics and hit the links for the full details.Read - HTX-11X HTIB system Read - CR-D2LTD mini-system, D-112EXLTD speakers Read - A-5VL integrated amplifier, C-S5VL SACD player
Oppo BDP-83 completes second round of testing, pre-order invites going out
On the list for the Oppo BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player? With responses from the second round of beta testers showing over 90% approving of release to the general public, our tipster reports those invited to pre-order should already have their emails giving an opportunity to complete their $499 purchase and get one shipped home later this month. While we double check our spam filters just in case, you can check Oppo's site or the accompanying AVS Forum thread for more details on exactly what people love, really love, or are still experiencing glitches with this BD / DVD / SACD and DVD-Audio playing powerhouse.[Thanks, Jesse]
Marantz KI Pearl SACD player and integrated amp -- audiophile tested, Ken Ishiwata-approved
One reason we keep a place in our hearts for high-end audio is that there is still room for a single designer's vision, and this is no more apparent than in components with designer initials etched right into the faceplate. Right in line with NAD's stereo components wearing Bjorn Erik Edvardsen's initials, Marantz has issued the KI (Ken Ishiwata) Pearl stereo SACD player (model SA-KI) and matching integrated amplifier (model PM-KI). As with any signature gear, top-notch build is expected, and the Marantz KI Pearls don't disappoint; toroidal transformers, copper plated chassis and hand-picked components make the grade. Of course, you also expect high prices, and the KI Pearl pieces also deliver on that front -- the limited run of 500 pieces (each) of the SACD player and integrated amp will go for £2,499 ($3,769) each, and no US availability or pricing has been released yet. Painful, yes, but you might take some small comfort in knowing this is exactly the kind of gear that will appreciate in value. Audio geeks can go past the break for more glamor shots.
OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray players shipping to invited customers
Haven't nabbed one of OPPO's well put together BDP-83 Blu-ray players yet? Those who signed up early and got on the invitation list should be getting their hands on one very soon for $499 with an expected ship date of May 4. Everyone else? Read through our first impressions again (high build quality, fast loads, great audio decoding and easy to use menus) and wait for a wider release.[Thanks, Dhomas]
Pioneer gives its PDX-Z10 SACD player an iPod boost
We're not sure about how well the SACD (Super Audio CD) format is doing in Japan, but if it's anything like it is here in the US, then the iPod input on Pioneer Japan's PDX-Z10 SACD player will be a welcome addition to those audiophiles who actually want a wide selection of content. To be fair, the PDX-Z10 packs a fair bit of audio utility into its sleek chassis, with a 2x50-Watt amp, USB input, and an ethernet port for DLNA access to media stored around your local network. The PDX-Z10 is set for a late May release, but the ¥150,000 ($1500) pricetag is going to relegate this piece of gear to the executive offices. Again, we're not intimately familiar with the Japanese market, but we're scratching our heads over how Pioneer could shutter the Kuro displays, but keep a light on for SACD.
OPPO BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player first impressions
We were fortunate enough to get one of OPPO's new universal Blu-ray players (the BDP-83) in for the weekend, and while we were cordially asked to withhold a "full review" due to the beta firmware loaded on, we were allowed to pass along less formal informational pieces. Right from the start, we adored the solid build quality and the simplistic styling. After firing it up and going through the basic setup process (which was very well laid out, might we add), we were presented with an OPPO Blu-ray screen that was just begging for us to insert a movie. And so we did. Follow us past the break for a rundown of our initial impressions.
