AUDIO BRIEFS
Staff -- TWICE, 2/12/2001
AudioSource Adopts Tripath
BURLINGAME, CALIF. —AudioSource has adopted Tripath's digital amplification technology in its new Amp Seven T and Amp Six amplifiers. The 90-percent-efficient technology, dubbed Class T, delivers 0.02 percent THD performance.
XM Adds 3 OEM Partners
WASHINGTON, D.C. —XM Satellite Radio has enlisted Visteon, Sanyo and Matsushita to manufacture satellite car radios on an OEM basis to automakers. The company also announced programming agreements with National Lampoon, Firesign Theater and the Discovery Channel. Rival Sirius already has Visteon, Sanyo and Matsushita for OEM and aftermarket development.
Sony Gets Sirius
PARK RIDGE, N.J. —Sony has entered into an agreement with Sirius Satellite Radio to offer Sirius-equipped car, home and portable radios. Sony already has a similar deal with Sirius rival XM Satellite Radio and has introduced a transportable XM receiver that can be shuttled between the home and car. The deal isn't Sirius' first for home and portable audio products. Agreements with Kenwood and Panasonic also allow for home and portable audio. The Sony-Sirius car audio agreement includes aftermarket as well as OEM sales to automakers.
Krell Adds Speakers, DVD
ORANGE, CONN. —Krell introduced its first DVD-Video player and first full-range loudspeakers as part of a 20th anniversary product launch that also includes a new surround preamp/processor. The $7,500 DVD Standard DVD player, due in the second quarter, is the industry's first stand-alone DVD player incorporating Faroudja's Digital Video Enhancer and De-interlacer/Line Doubler technologies. Via a plug-in circuit card, it can be upgraded to play DVD-Audio discs. The $6,500 Home Theater Standard preamp/ processor, available last month, is also upgradable with plug-in circuit cards. It decodes Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 and delivers Krell's music surround modes. It's also compatible with Phast and Crestron home networks. The Lossless Acoustic Transducer speakers were designed to take advantage of the sonic performance of Krell components equipped with CAST (Current Audio Signal Transmission) technology, said to eliminate cable-induced signal loss and degradation. The speakers features curved, aluminum cabinets and priced up to $35,000 for a three-way pair.
