Yamaha Re-Launches PC Stereo Receivers

ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Yamaha Electronics' multimedia division has re-launched the company into the stand-alone PC receiver market with the introduction of the four-unit CAVIT series.

The CAVIT, which stands for convergence of audio/video and information technology, receiver is a repositioned version of the failed RP-U100 @PET, which was launched in June 1999. Yamaha hopes the device will flourish by being positioned and merchandised strictly as a PC peripheral, said Mark Bechnauld, Yamaha's CDR applications engineer. He expects it to be merchandised in either the MP3 player area or with PC sound cards.

When the original was launched Yamaha had not figured out how to position it with retailers.

The CAVIT series ranges in price from $250 to $500 and includes the entry-level DP-U50, AP-U70, the original RP-U100 and RP-U200. Yamaha is presenting these units as a stereo-component size, sound card replacement. All have Dolby Digital and DTS processing capability, but the company believes that the proliferation of PC-based music, which was unavailable in 1999, will be what breathes new life into this product line.

The DP-U50 is a pre-amp for use with powered speakers, Yamaha is setting up bundles that include the CAVIT and various Yamaha multimedia speakers. The AP-U70 has an integrated amplifier that pushes 20 watts per channel, while the RP-U100 offers 30 watts per channel, an AM/FM tuner and can directly connect to the Internet allowing the user to listen to music. The flagship RP-U200 adds USB, digital and analog computer connections and a full PC interface.

All four are now shipping and should be in stores in about a month.