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Components Add Sources, Connections

LAS VEGAS –

Audio components are connecting with
consumers’ changed lifestyles, leveraging new audio
sources such as Internet radio and iPods, and connecting
to home-control systems.

New products from Teac and Sherwood, for example,
feature embedded Internet radio and music streaming
from a networked PC. To connect their products to homecontrol
systems, Sherwood is launching its first A/V receiver
compatible with Control4 home-control systems,
and NAD is turning select components into the brains of a
Control4 home-control system via a plug-in module.

In an unusual twist, Teac is offering two two-channel
components — a receiver and a CD-receiver – that convert
CDs, vinyl, and cassette to MP3 and WMA formats for
storage on a USB stick.

Also at the show, two-channel audio remains alive and
well with Aaudio Imports, American Sound Works, Cary,
Monitor Audio, MartinLogan, NAD, Teac, and many others
launching new two-channel components.

Here’s a sampling of what dealers will find. For more details
on these and other component-audio launches, see
each issue of TWICE CES Show Daily.

Boston Acoustics:

A new series of in-room speakers,
called the A series, ships in
February. It’s a high-performance
entry series said to
pay homage to the original
A series products launched
more than 30 years ago. It
represents a step up in price,
performance, design and
finish compared to the current
value-oriented Classic
Series, which will be transitioned
out in early 2011, a
spokesperson said.

The A series consists of
three bookshelves, two floorstanding
models, one center channel and two
subwoofers, and a 5.1 package, all at
MAP prices ranging from $139.99 for
a bookshelf speaker to $899.99 for
the 5.1 package. All feature magnetic
grilles, scratch-resistant high-gloss
black side panels and soft textured top
and baffle.

Cary Audio Design:

A half-dozen high-performance
audio components launched here by Cary Audio Design
include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a combination
DAC/integrated amp with tube preamp section and
solid-state amplifier section.

Klipsch Group:

The company is entering the wirelesssubwoofer
market with the launch of a wireless kit for use
with select subwoofers bearing any of its brands. Up to six
or more wireless subs can be supported in a house.

MartinLogan:

The company is expanding its selection
of non-electrostatic in-room speakers with the launch of
the Motion LX series, and it’s launching the first custom
speakers to use proprietary Folded Motion tweeters for
voice matching with its in-room Folded Motion and electrostatic
speakers.

McIntosh:

The MC601 600-watt mono amp 9 into 2-,
4-, and 8-0hm loads) replaces the MC501, offers higher
power, and adds such features as input and output jacks
to enable bi- and tri-amping using multiple MC601 amps,
thermal track output transistors for cooler operation,
8-inch-wide wattmeter, and quad-balanced circuit design.
It ships in January. Pricing was unavailable.

Meridian:

The company is showing its latest compact
DSP-equipped active speaker, due this month.
The $6,000/pair DSP3200 two-way speaker replaces
the DSP3100 as the smallest loudspeaker in the Meridian
line.

NAD:

The company is expanding its selection of modular
components, introducing new upgrade modules for its
modular components, and displaying its first iPod-docking
music system.

The three newest plug-in Modular Design Construction
(MDC) modules include the first to add a Control4 brain
to MDC-capable components. The Viso Three Music System,
due in the first quarter at a suggested $899, is a
2×50-watt CD-receiver with tethered standalone Applecertified
iPod/iPhone dock and USB port.

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