Franklin, Tenn. — Component-audio supplier Sherbourn Technologies returned to the A/V receiver (AVR) market with the launch of the $899-suggested 7.1-channel SR-8100.
The SR-8100, available for a limited time at $799, is also the first new product available since the launch earlier this year of the company’s new distribution strategy of selling direct to consumers and direct to systems integrators. The company does not use reps or distributors to sell to integrators.
The direct-sales strategy also enables the company to significantly reduce the price of its products. The company, for example, dropped the price of one component under the new strategy from $4,999 to $2,799. Likewise, the previous AVR available under Sherbourn’s previous distribution strategy was priced at a suggested $2,999.
Key features of the new model include embedded Bluetooth 3.0 with ability to stream the AptX codec over Bluetooth for enhanced sound quality.
The new AVR also features steel chassis and solid extruded-aluminum faceplate to withstand installation rigors, 7×80 watts of amplification with all channels driven simultaneously, four HDMI 1.4 inputs with 3D support, HDMI output with audio return channel, and second- and third-zone audio outputs.
It also comes with a trigger input and output, an IR remote input and output, RS-232 port for control, four stereo analog inputs, two digital coaxial and two digital optical inputs, 7.1-channel analog direct inputs for connecting an SACD player, balanced and unbalanced subwoofer outputs, and integrated headphone amplifier.
Other features include vacuum fluorescent display, full-color onscreen user interface over live video, and Sherbourn Advanced Room Correction System to automatically calibrate and optimize performance.
The receiver also features quadruple bass management with 12dB or 24dB per octave crossover filters configurable in 5Hz steps below 80Hz and 10Hz steps above 80Hz. It also features a parametric equalizer with multiple separate EQ banks, each of which feature 11 bands for each main channel and three bands for the subwoofer.
