LAS VEGAS –
Teac is focusing on twochannel
solutions in its Reference series and
very-high-end Esoteric series.
In the Reference series, six new two-channel
products include receivers, CD-receivers,
and a DVD-receiver, all with connections
to iPods and USB sticks. Two receivers include
Ethernet and Wi-Fi to stream Internet
radio and music files from a networked PC,
and two receivers enable users to convert
CDs, vinyl records, and cassettes to WMA
and MP3 files for storage on a USB drive.
The $359-suggested CR-H238i CD-receiver
features iPod/USB input and ability to
play MP3/WMA files from USB drives and
from SD memory cards. An optional iPod
dock streams composite and S-video outputs
from the iPod.
The $499 AG-H380i receiver lacks CD
player but adds USB capture of iPod audio in
digital PCM format. It also adds phono preamp
and ability to rip songs from connected
CD players, cassette decks and turntables
to USB drives in MP3 and WMA formats.
The $569-suggested DR-H338i DVDreceiver
plays DVD-Audio and DVD-Video
discs, incorporates Dolby Digital 5.1 virtual
surround technology, and comes with 1080p
HDMI upscaling. Other features include
MP3/WMA playback from USB drives, USB
iPod interface, and optional iPod video dock.
At $799, the CR-H500NT CD-receiver
features iPod/USB port to capture an iPod’s
digital output and ability to convert CDs, vinyl
records and cassettes to MP3 and WMA
files for USB storage. The unit also features
wired Ethernet and wireless Wi-Fi to stream
Internet radio and PC-stored music in multiple
formats, MP3/WMA playback from USB
drives, and a phono preamp.
The top stereo receiver is the $1,499 AGH600NT,
which lacks CD player but features
Ethernet and Wi-Fi to stream Internet radio
and PC-stored music. It lacks USB input but
includes phono preamp and connectivity to
an iPod dock.
Two new SACD players in the Esoteric
series are the $13,000-suggested K-03 and
$22,500-suggested K-01, both of which can
be used as DACs to process digital PCM
audio streamed through a USB 2.0 port and
two digital inputs.
