Krell Industries, Inc, the leader in high performance music and home theater systems has announced the initial shipments of the Papa Dock power amplifier. The Papa Dock is a dedicated power amplifier for the Krell KID iPod dock.  Based on classic Krell amplifier technology, the Papa Dock mates directly with the KID and supplies an impressive 150 watts of power.  Coupled together, the Krell KID/Papa Dock pair work as one to deliver audiophile performance to any iPod listener

Canton has expanded its Chrono line of value-oriented high-performance loudspeakers with two new models, the three-way Chrono 511 DC tower and the compact Chrono 501 on-wall speaker. The new models become the largest and smallest models in the lineup, rounding out  six full-range models and a powered subwoofer.

Utilizing the drivers, design and engineering of the classic Ergo series, but with less costly cabinet aesthetics, prices are reduced by over 30%

ONKYO Corporation has announced that it will release its first Blu-ray Disc Player for the international market in late 2008. This player is designed to partner with Onkyo’s high-definition A/V receivers equipped with full HDMI processing of 1080p video and decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD™ Master Audio surround sound formats.

Onkyo was among the first home theater manufacturers to offer full audio and video processing capabilities for HD formats such as Blu-ray Disc

Do you remember the days when a personal computer could only beep and produce a few single tones?  The computer’s musical abilities have come a long way in the past 15 years

Sony introduces three new receivers to the ES line. The STR-DA4400ES, STR-DA3400ES and STR-DA2400ES receivers support 1080/24p video signals, 1080p upscaling and are Sirius and XM Satellite Radio-ready.

The 7.1 channel receivers support Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS High Resolution Audio and DTS HD Master Audio. All three models use a Xross Media Bar-inspired GUI for navigation and BRAVIA Sync technology to synchronize compatible home theater components.

Sony Digital Media Port adds control and connectivity options for music playback through various accessories

Vizio introduces its XVT Series of flat panel televisions which include two 1080p LCD HDTVs with 120Hz refresh rate and a 50" 1080p plasma panel that features Silicon Optix REON HQV processing.

Featuring 120Hz and 1920 x 1080p resolution, the new 42 inch SV420XVT and 47 inch SV470XVT LCD televisions panels will incorporate smooth Motion technology, dynamic contrast ratio of 6500:1 and SRS Labs' TruSurround XT audio processing.

Both include the new brushed aluminum-trimmed VUR8 Universal Learning Remote with Picture-In-Picture keys and four HDMI v1.3 inputs

The first Blu-Ray player from Marantz does not disappoint with a 10-bit Silicon Optix Realta chipset and HDMI 1.3 connections, along with Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, and DTS-HD master Audio. 

The player also includes an SD card slot for playing back content like high-resolution digital images, downloaded (or even home-recorded) video, and music

An A/V receiver is the foundation of a great home theatre.  This single component is responsible for amplification, audio/video switching, surround format processing and provides inputs for all other audio video components.  Whether this is your first A/V receiver or you already own one and are looking to upgrade, the following guide will assist you in making the right decision.

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Power cords make no difference, right? If you're pretty sure they don't, you're in good company. There are plenty of people who believe that interconnects and speaker cables make no difference either - they either work or they don't.

   Well if you fall into this group, you may not like what follows. The only point in reading will be to see just how wrong I can be, and whether my writing style entertains or falls flat

Krell's new Evolution 707 surround preamp/processor features HDMI 1.3 functionality and 12 output stages with two center channel and four subwoofer outputs. The 8.4 channel configuration has four HDMI inputs and supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio.

Balanced outputs and single-ended outputs are also included for use with conventional amplifiers.

Preamp mode bypasses all digital circuitry and routes the analog input, stereo or 7.1 multichannel, directly to the 16-bit balanced volume control

This autumn, Sony will be releasing six Bravia XBR LCD HDTVs and will feature Triluminos LED backlight and local dimming to provide improved black-level reproduction and contrast.

Each model also incorporates the new Advanced Contract Enhancer PRO (ACE PRO) technology that helps improve contrast and dynamic range by controlling the LED backlight level by area to maintain detail in dark areas, and reducing power consumption. The Digital Media Extender port (DMeX) permits the connection of modules like the BRAVIA DVD Link, Wireless link, or Input line (shipping later this year), as well as the already available Internet Video Link

The new Icon W speakers from Klipsch feature furniture-grade wood veneer cabinets available in espresso and cabernet finishes. Single-piece magnetic grilles allow you to expose the drivers for a more powerful stance, or cover them up to have the Icon W speakers fit more elegantly into the room.

There are five models in the Icon W Series: the WF-35 and WF-34 floorstanding speakers, the WB-14 bookshelf speaker, the WC-24 center channel and the WS-24 surround speaker

Image X5 headphones feature electroplated aluminum housings and streamlined, aerodynamic-shaped black "tails." These flexible tails reduce cable stress and serve as an acoustic damper to minimize cable noise.

The Image X5 is bigger than its predecessor by only 2mm in diameter. This minimal size difference makes the X5 easier and slightly less expensive to manufacture.

Similar to the original X10's, the X5 utilizes translucent patent-pending Contour Ear Gels that are anatomically designed to fit comfortably inside the human ear canal

Scandyna Speakers, has just introduced the curvaceous and compact Dock Pack. Available in black or white, the Dock Pack includes the uniquely designed dock and a set of Micropod SE speakers.

The Dock is specifically designed to complement the iPod and combines high quality audio that accommodates multiple iPod models, giving the consumer the ability to dock, play and recharge all iPod’s. Scandyna’s Dock contains loads of features, including: a 2x15 watt RMS Class T amplifier, seven inserts for use with various iPod models, remote control and stereo line output to your subwoofer

The DTR-5.9 expands connectivity and HD audio and video features compared to the outgoing DTR-5.8. The new model features the same HDMI 1.3a repeaters and high resolution audio processing as the DTR-5.8 that it replaces, and adds two additional HDMI inputs for a total of four, 1080i upscaling of standard definition sources over HDMI, and Audyssey's new Dynamic EQ loudness compensation technology.

The DTR-5.9 features HDMI v.1.3a inputs for up to four high definition a/v sources, including 1080p digital video signals and Deep Color™ (36 bit) information

From concept to reality, Sony will release a spectacular new speaker system in Japan as early as June 20th. The "Sountina" (a combination of the words sound and fountain) comes in the shape of a glass tube which measures 184.5 cm tall. The entire device measures 325×184.5×325mm and weighs 12.5 kg.

Sony said today they plan to sell their stylish speaker not only to affluent individuals but also to hotels, department stores and similar facilities. The Sountina is supposed to vibrate and produce high quality audio, which spreads 360 degrees around the device

The AV8003 pre-amp is Ethernet-capable and can serve as a multi-zone processor and controller. The THX Ultra 2-certified amplifier offers 1080p scaling and up-conversion via a built-in video scaler. It has four HDMI 1.3a in and two out ports, along with Dolby True HD, DTS Master Audio, and Deep Color support. The unit is also HD Radio, XM, and Sirius satellite radio-ready with an appropriate subscription.

It's Ethernet capability allows it to stream audio and video content throughout a home network

Fidelity Electronics has just announced the launch of its newest Digital Picture Frame, The Digital Photo Vault which features an expandable 80GB hard drive, energy saving motion sensor, rechargeable batteries, music/video playback and other photo viewing enhancements.

The Digital Photo Vault allows you to store thousands of hours of photos (JPEG), music (MP3) and video collection (MPEG 1, 2, 4, AVI) and play them on a high resolution 8” digital picture frame

French-made, the two-way Dome speakers have 5” mid bass drivers, 1” inverted dome tweeter, and are rated at being able to handle 25-100 watts of power. The Dome sub has an 8” woofer, and a built-in 100-watt amp.

The Dome speakers are available in pairs for $750; as a 2.1 system along with the sub for $1,595; or as a complete, 5.1 surround system for $2,595. Plurison says that, later this year, a white finish option will be available, along with about 6 or 7 coloured, removable grille options to match one’s décor