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V-Acoustics Ultra Precision Master Clock
VA-MLCK-01
・Designed by Vasco Soares
・Ultra high precision 10MHz reference signal to synchronize D-A converters and transporters with perfect timing accuracy.
avcat注目のオーディオブランド2016 No2 は、2016年出来たてホヤホヤのオーディオブランド「 GRED AUDIO 」です。
GRED AUDIO： http://www.gredaudio.com
pDAC-2 というDACが処女作ですが、筐体の作り、基盤の美しさ、サイズ、なんとなくいい音がしそうな気がします。入力端子をUSBのみにしているという思い切りの良さもあります。DSDに対応していないのが惜しいところですが、値段によっては日本でも受け入れられそうな作りです。
eXtreme Version of Sonja 15周年記念モデル
予価： $265,950
avcatが注目する、日本未輸入のオーディオブランドを紹介するコーナーです。
今回、個人的に惹かれたブランドは、Amadeus社による「 Jean Noucel 」氏がデザインしたスピーカーの新ブランド「 PHIHARMONIA 」です。
メーカーサイト：http://philharmoniabyjeannouvel.com
TAD M1やMAGICO MINIが思い出される、積層型のスピーカーです。何より世界的ホールPhilharmonie de Parisのデザイナー Jean Noucel 氏が手がけたとあって、非常に美しいスピーカーに仕上がっています。技術は、Amadeusによるもの。DAC・アンプ内臓なのが少し日本では厳しいかなとは思います。
$39,900 per
Specifications
Acoustical Specifications
Amplitude linearity (±2dB) : 43 Hz – 22 kHz
Cut-off frequencies (-6dB) : 35 Hz
Peak SPL 1-meter (Pair, IEC Short Term) : 124 dB peak
Technical Specifications
Crossover frequency (HF, LMF) : 2170 Hz and 2170 Hz (DSP generated)
Crossover slope (HF, LMF) : 24 dB/Oct and 24 dB/Oct
Transducer (HF) : Ø 28 mm soft dome
Transducer (LMF) : Ø 230 mm bass driver
RMS capacity (HF) : 700 W @ 8 Ω, Class-D
RMS capacity (LMF) : 700 W @ 8 Ω, Class-D
Dimensions (H x W x D) : 1613 x 320 x 465 (mm)
Electrical Specifications
Mains voltage : 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz (select)
Power consumption : 45 W @ 1/8 max power (IEC 60065)
Input connectors (Analog) : 1 x Male XLR (Pin 2+, Pin 3-)
Input connectors (AES/EBU) : 1 x Male XLR (Pin 2+, Pin 3-), 1 x Female XLR (Pin 2+, Pin 3-)
Input impedance : Balanced > 10kΩ
Dynamic range : > 118 dB(A)
A to D Conversion : 64 bit
Internal sample rate : 96 kHz
Formats (AES/EBU) : 24 bit
PL100 II (£3150/pair)
PL200 II (£6300/pair)
PL300 II (£8000/pair)
PL500 II flagship three-way/seven-driver tower(£15,000/pair)
PLC150 II centre speaker (£2100 each)
PLC350 II, a bigger centre speaker (£3150 each)
PLW215 II Sub(£3500 each)
McIntosh has introduced three new products at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2016): the MX122 A/V Processor, MB50 Streaming Audio Player and RS100 Wireless Loudspeaker.
MX122 A/V Processor
The MX122 A/V Processor can serve as the brain centre for an advanced home theater system for years to come. It features many of the latest breakthroughs in surround sound and object-based 3D audio such as Dolby® Atmos, and will be upgradeable to support DTS:X™ and Auro-3D®. Besides 3D audio, existing formats like DolbyMX122 Angle Right
TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio™ and others are still supported. The MX122 is fully compatible with modern 4K Ultra HD video sources and can upscale lower resolutions to 4K Ultra HD. A wide assortment of inputs and outputs are included to connect current and future entertainment sources. All HDMI inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 and support High Dynamic Range (HDR), 4K Ultra HD at 50/60Hz, 4:4:4 color, Rec. 2020 and 3D video pass-through. The MX122 can send select audio and/or video to 2 additional zones within in the house. Users can connect to their online digital music with either the wired or wireless network connections. DSD64 files can be played from flash drives or over the network. Bluetooth and AirPlay® connectivity allows for easy streaming from mobile devices. Interfaces to popular streaming services including Pandora®, SiriusXM® and Spotify® are included while vTuner connects to 1,000s of internet radio stations. Audyssey MultEQ® XT32 will calibrate the MX122 to each home theater’s unique acoustical properties.
MB50 Streaming Audio Player
A home audio system can be transformed into a wireless audio system with the MB50 Streaming Audio Player. The MB50 features DTS Play-Fi® technology to give the freedom and flexibility to wirelessly play music at home over an existing Wi-Fi network. While utilizing DTS Play-Fi streaming capabilities, the MB50 delivers the legendary McIntosh sound quality and performance found in our other home audio products. Simply connect the MB50 to a Wi-Fi network and audio system via the analog or digital outputs and then stream music to it from the Apple or Android mobile app or Windows desktop app. Besides accessing a personal music library on a mobile device, the apps have built-in support for many leading online streaming services including Deezer, KKBox, Pandora®, QQMusic, Rhapsody, SiriusXM®, Songza, Spotify® and TIDAL (list subject to change). If there’s more than one audio system to stream to, just add an MB50 to each and then stream the same music to all systems. Or if there are multiple mobile devices with the app, different music can simultaneously be streamed to each system.MB50 Angle Left
Analog and digital inputs allow for connecting audio components such as CD players, letting the MB50 to act as a mini-preamp.
RS100 Wireless Loudspeaker
The RS100 wireless speaker allows streaming music capabilities to be added to any room. It features DTS Play-Fi® technology that gives the freedom and flexibility to wirelessly play the music on mobile devices over an existing Wi-Fi network. Simply connect it to a Wi-Fi network, install the free Play-Fi Apple or Android mobile app or Windows desktop app and then begin streaming. A single RS100 is all that is needed to start building a wireless speaker system; more can be added over time to expand the system. Up to 16 speakers can be connected to a single Wi-Fi network – enough for stereo playback in 8 separate rooms. With the Play-Fi app installed on multiple devices, each device can stream different music to each room, giving all family members or guests control over what they want to hear in their room. Besides accessing a personal music library, the apps have built-in support for many leading online streaming services including Deezer, KKBox, Pandora®, QQMusic, Rhapsody, SiriusXM®, Songza, Spotify® and TIDAL (list subject to change). Not limited to just streaming, the RS100 is flexible thanks to its auxiliary input which allows it to be used in non-streaming setups; it can quickly be switched back and forth between the two inputs to accommodate listening preferences. A subwoofer output is also included.RS100 Angle left no grille
All three products are available to order now from authorized McIntosh dealers with shipping anticipated in January for MX122 and in March for MB50 and RS100. Suggested retail price for each (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded):
MX122: $7,000 USD
MB50: $2,000USD
RS100: $1,000 USD per speaker
Nordost’s newest digital cables bridge the gap between the existing Norse 2 and Reference digital cables, especially since the launch of Valhalla 2 significantly widened that chasm. Both the 75 Ohm S/PDIF and 110 Ohm AES/EBU cables are constructed using silver-plated, solid core conductors which are suspended in Nordost’s patented Dual Mono-Filament technology. Additionally, both cables benefit from the implementation of mechanically tuned lengths. The combination of these technologies yields cables with the extreme bandwidth necessary to accomplish zero-loss data transfer.
The Tyr 2 75 Ohm Digital Interconnect employs a coaxial design and is terminated with gold-plated, Neutrik BNC connectors for correct impedance matching. All Tyr 2 75 Ohm Interconnects are supplied with gold-plated RCA adapters to accommodate their function. The Tyr 2 110 Ohm Digital Interconnect uses a twinaxial design and is terminated with gold-plated Neutrik XLR connectors, ensuring that it maintains constant impedance throughout the cabling, as well as across terminations. The retail price is $1,499.99 for a 1 meter length; additional 1/2 meter increments are $120.00.
Nordost is further broadening its range of digital cables by introducing the Blue Heaven and Heimdall Ethernet Cables to their lineup. These cables are the solution that digitally-driven hifi enthusiasts have been waiting for, allowing Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices and music streaming to be fully integrated into a hifi system while improving its sonic performance. These are fully shielded cables, terminated with high quality 8P8C/RJ45 connectors. Nordost’s new Ethernet cables meet the demands for high-speed data and increased bandwidth, achieving speeds of up to 600 MHz for the Blue Heaven, and 1000 MHz for the Heimdall 2. The retail price of the Blue Heaven is $399.99 for a 1 meter length; additional 1 meter increments are $100.00. The retail price of the Heimdall 2 is $699.99 for a 1 meter length; additional 1 meter increments are $150.00.
Lastly, due to the success that our Heimdall 2 Headphone Cable has received, Nordost is answering consumer demands by providing a lower-priced solution. The Blue Heaven Headphone Cable, is a profound improvement over the sub-standard, detachable wire provided with many headphones. Using our Micro Mono-Filament, Litz construction, FEP extrusion and an Aramid fiber strength member, the Blue Heaven Headphone Cable is the best interface for mid to high level headphones. Unlike the Heimdall 2 version, Nordost’s newest headphone cable is terminated with a 3.5mm stereo mini plug and is provided with a threaded, 3.5mm to 6.3mm (1/4in) stereo phono adapter that easily and securely screws onto the original termination. The Blue Heaven Headphone Cable is compatible with many popular headphones on the market, and is available in 1.25m and 2m lengths. The retail price is $399.99 for a 1.25 meter length and $499.99 for a 2m length.
Nordost is looking forward to starting off a new and exciting year at CES in Las Vegas. The Nordost staff, including its US and International sales teams and product trainers, is looking forward to meeting with their loyal dealers and distributors throughout the show, January 6th through 9th. CES attendees are welcome to visit the 29th floor of the Venetian, in suite 106 to experience the musical color, focus and dynamic range that excellent cabling can bring to any hi-fi sound system.
Following the successful introduction of the Nagra HD DAC in July 2014, Nagra is at the Venetian suite 30-218 offering a D/A converter in its CLASSIC line. Derived from the HD DAC, and using the exact same digital front end, the new D/A converter will simply be called Nagra CLASSIC DAC. The Nagra HD DAC has been acclaimed the world over as the most “analog” sounding D/A on the market and is considered as a reference. Following the Nagra product strategy – to offer a complete range in two distinct lines both CLASSIC and HD, Nagra is revisiting the HD DAC to create a more affordable alternative to fit in its CLASSIC range, it will be called Nagra CLASSIC DAC.
The Nagra CLASSIC DAC comes in the same chassis as the HD, so it looks very similar. In terms of features it is almost identical though it does not include volume control or a headphone amplifier. The digital input and conversion boards are the exact same as those found in the HD DAC, only the analog stage differs.
Nagra Introduces Their New 24-bit/384kHz / 2x DSD Classic DAC
For the digital section, the CLASSIC DAC features the same digital input board and conversion module as the HD DAC. It makes use of the most advanced conversion techniques available today. The converter comes from a joint-venture with Andreas Koch, AKDesign, pioneer engineer in the DSD (Direct Stream Digital) format, used in professional music studios. The circuits of the Nagra CLASSIC DAC use the DSD 2x version of the format: they operate at a level 128 times superior to that of traditional CD and twice that of SACD. The sampling frequency reaches 5.6 MHz and the internal calculations use 72 bit precision. This method produces a signal with such quality that the steep-slope input filters on the analog section can be eliminated. The result is that the harmonics and transients are perfectly maintained allowing the music to conserve its natural depth and essence. The USB input is Nagra proprietary and can handle signals up to DXD (384kHz/32-bits) and DSD 2x. It is compatible with PC and MAC computers.
On the analog stage: Nagra engineering team worked extensively on a more affordable solution, yet offering striking performance both in terms of measurement and sound perception. As an example, the signal-to-noise ratio of the output stage boasts an impressive 145dB (not weighted)! A number rarely reached by any competitive product at any price level. The output section is based on a class A discrete transistor topology. It includes no less than 9 matched transistors, of military and high-end origins, per channel.
Nagra Introduces Their New 24-bit/384kHz / 2x DSD Classic DAC
The Nagra CLASSIC DAC features a built-in mains power supply that offers excellent performance, but can be further improved by the use of the Nagra MPS full-chassis power supply, though a 12 V DC Lemo connector. The power supply has also been carefully designed and includes no less than 25 dedicated internal power supplies. In typical Nagra way, each stage is carefully decoupled to ensure the best performance. The Nagra CLASSIC DAC will be available in April 2016.
Following the world acclaimed HD DAC considered a reference in D/A conversion, Nagra has worked extensively to provide a more affordable version as part of the CLASSIC range. The new CLASSIC DAC makes use of the exact same digital front-end as the HD DAC (digital input board, USB module and D/A boards). On the output stage the HD DAC’s tube is replaced by a discreet transistor topology, using matched military grade components.
Main Features:
PCM up to 384kHz/24-bits and DSD 2x compatible (384kHz/32-bit)
Two S/PDIF (RCA and BNC), AES/EBU, TOSlink, I2S Nagra digital inputs
Nagra USB input module
RCA and XLR outputs
Built-in mains power supply and Lemo 12 V DC input for improved performance with the Nagra MPS
full chassis power supply.
The Nagra CLASSIC DAC will be available in April 2016.
