Sony Releases Two Entry-Level Home Theater Receivers for 2013

Sony.has announced its first two entries in its 2013 Home Theater Receiver line-up, STR-DH540 and STR-DH740.
The STR-DH540 features a 5.2 channel speaker configuration, while the DTR-DH740 provides 7.2 channels that can be configured with either surround back, front height, or bi-amp speaker configuration. The stated power output ratings for both receivers are 90 wpc RMS (measured from 20Hz - 20kHz with 2-channels driven at 6 ohms with .09 THD). On-board decoding is included for most Dolby and DTS audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, while the STR-DH740 adds Dolby Prologic IIz audio processing.Both receivers also feature four HDMI 1.4a-enabled connections that provide 3D and up to 4K pass-through, and Audio Return Channel. A front mounted USB port for accessing content on flash drives or iPhone, iPod, iPad is also included. However, it is important to note that neither receiver provides addtional video processing or upscaling, nor provides network/internet connectivity.For easy setup, both receivers also include Sony's Digtial Cinema Auto Calibration speaker setup system. These receivers are targeted for those that that have, or are putting together, a modest, few frills, home theater system.robert silva about.com

Sony STR-DH540 - $279
Sony STR-DH740 - $299

Rotel RSX-1562 SURROUND SOUND RECEIVER

Category:
Model:	RSX-1562
Title:	7.1 Channel Surround-Sound Receiver

The RSX-1562 builds upon the excellence established by its highly acclaimed predecessor, the RSX-1560, but with the addition of new, improved circuitry and technologies such as HDMI® 1.4 with 3D. In addition, the advent of so many video sources such as a cable or satellite box, DVRs, DVD players, and WiFi or Ethernet audio / video feeds from devices such as Apple TV® and Roku® etc., have necessitated adding more HDMI inputs. The RSX-1562 now has six HDMI 1.4 inputs and two HDMI 1.4 outputs, one with an Audio Return Channel (ARC). The ARC in HDMI 1.4 enables a TV via a single HDMI cable, to send audio data “upstream” to an A/V receiver or surround audio controller, increasing user flexibility and eliminating the need for any separate S/PDIF audio connection.

Model	RSX-1562
Audio	-
Continuous Power (7 channels driven)	100 watts/ch (20-20k Hz, <0.05% THD, 8 ohms)
Continuous Amplifier Power	200 watts (1 kHz, <1.0% THD, 4 ohms, DIN)
Total Harmonic Distortioner	<0.008%
Intermodulation Distortion (60Hz:7kHz)	<0.008%
Signal to Noise Ratio (IHF A-weighted)	95dB (analog bypass) 92dB (Dolby Digital, DTS) 0 dBFs
Input Sensitivity/ Impedance	Line Level: 200 mV/100k ohms
Preamp Output Level/ Output Impedance	1.0V/1k ohms
Decodable Digital Input Signals	Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-ES 96/24, LPCM (up to 192k). Lossless audio formats (using HDMI 1.3): Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio
Decodable USB/iPod Digital Input Signals	AAC(m4a), WAV, MP3, WMA
Video	-
Input Resolution	480i/576i, 480p/576p, 720p, 1080i 1080p, 1080p 24Hz, 3D (HDMI only)
Output Resolution	480i/576i (Composite only), 480p/576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 1080p 24Hz, 3D (HDMI only)
Signal to Noise Ratio	45dB
Input Impedance	75 ohms
Output Impedance	75 ohms
Output Levelance	1.0 volt
HMDI Inputs/Outputs	Version 1.3, supporting Deep Color passthrough and Broad Color Space passthrough. Version 1.4, supporting 3D passthrough and Audio Return Channel
FM Tuner	-
Usable Sensitivity	14.2dBf
Signal to Noise Ratio (at 65dBf)	70dB
Harmonic Distortion (at 65dBf)	0.03%
Stereo Separation (1 kHz)5dBf)	45dB
Output level	1V
Antenna Input (unbalanced)	75 ohms
AM Tuner	-
Sensitivity	50microV/m
Signal to Noise Ratio	40dB
Output Level	500 mV
Antenna Input	Loop Antenna
General	-
Power Consumption	500 watts 0.5 watt (standby)
Power Requirements (AC)	120 volts, 60Hz (USA version) 230 volts, 50Hz (EC version)
Weight	15.5kg/34.17 lbs
Dimension (W x H x D)	431 x 188 x 422 mm 17 x 71/2 x 165/8 in
Front Panel Height (feet removed for

PSB Imagine T2 Speaker System

the standard-issue, black-grilled, plain-Jane, rectangular coffins for which significant others might grudgingly give up floor space in return for other concessions. After all, pocket-protector-wearing, slide-rule-swinging, techno-geek research types aren’t known for their sense of fashion.The Imagine series speakers’ looks are far from that, however, because PSB turned to David Farrage and his New York design firm, DF-ID, to provide the industrial design.

I’ve never met Farrage, but based on the Imagine series speakers and the work he’s done for other clients (including Sony, Samsonite, NAD, Lamborghini, and Movado), I’m quite certain a pocket protector is not part of his wardrobe. Farrage deserves many kudos for the organic beauty of the gentle curves and the finely executed details of the Imagine speakers. The Imagine T2 tower speakers, for example, don’t unabashedly draw attention to themselves  as do, for example, some Sonus faber or Focal speakers. Nor are they a more subtle statement, such as the look of the narrow aluminum cabinets of Definitive Technology’s Mythos speakers. Instead, the visuals of PSB’s Imagine speakers fall somewhere in between—for the most part disappearing into the room but, upon closer inspection, revealing an understated beauty and elegance.

The Imagine T2 ($3,500 per pair) is the latest addition to—and the new flagship speaker of—PSB’s small group of Imagine speakers, which includes the smaller Imagine T tower, two pair of monitor speakers, two center channels, and a unique tri-mode surround speaker. For this review, PSB included the larger Imagine C center ($850) and a pair of the tri-mode Imagine S surround speakers ($1,300 per pair). All the speakers share the inspired design elements, as well as the same family of drivers.
The Imagine T2 is tall (a little more than 40 inches) and slender (a bit more than 8 inches at its widest point) with the sides sloping from the curved, 2-inch-thick, MDF front baffle toward a narrow, rounded back. As far as I could tell, the only flat surface is found on the bottom of the cabinet. Greg Stidsen, PSB’s director of technology and product planning, explained that the cabinets start out as seven layers of thin MDF that are form-fit and pressed into shape. The cabinets are then placed inside the industrial equivalent of the microwave oven on your kitchen counter to cure the glue between each layer. Then a CNC machine drills the holes for the drivers, and the cabinet’s wood veneers are individually hand-sanded and finished. The result is an elegant, well-proportioned tower that, even when toed in, shows a thin outline of wood on either side of the black grille when viewed from the main seating position. The tower rests on four round feet located at the bottom corners of the cabinet with a tap in each that accepts either the included spikes or rubber pads.

baffle, sloping sides, and the same 1-inch titanium-dome tweeter. In this case, though, the tweeter is centered between two 5.25-inch drivers. The Imagine C comes with a port plug, although there’s only one port to potentially seal. Since the cabinet is curved on every side, PSB includes a short, black rubber bar that you can place under the Imagine C to position it at the correct angle. The dense rubber material holds the heavy (26.8-pound) speaker securely in place and helps to reduce vibrations that might transfer to whatever the speaker is sitting on top of.

The Imagine S surround speakers were smaller than I expected based on the dimensions of other high-performance bipole/dipole surround speakers I’ve encountered in the past. The surface-mounted Imagine S speakers take up less than 11 x 13 inches of wall space and extend only a tad more than 7 inches into the room. They’re not quite as elegant as the Imagine T2 and Imagine C, but their curved front and prominent center strip of wood definitely identify them as part of the Imagine family while still allowing them to remain unobtrusive in most rooms. The Imagine S speakers aren’t ported, and they include 1-inch tweeters and 5.25-inch woofers. In this case, one tweeter/woofer combo fires forward, and the other fires rearward—but the Imagine S isn’t your standard bipole or dipole surround speaker.

Even without the aid of the SubSeries 300, the Imagine T2s’ two-channel musical performance was absolutely stellar. They had that wonderful character of having almost no character—sonically, there’s nothing that draws specific attention to the speaker. The placement of the tweeter below the midrange puts it at seated ear level, which is generally the goal. In this case, I found the soundstage’s plane to be lower than is typical. In other words, I find that other speakers tend to place vocals slightly above the level of my ears. With the T2s, Bonnie Raitt’s voice on “Take My Love With You” from the new Slipstream CD seemed to come from a position directly even with, or perhaps just below, my ears in front of me. Especially impressive was the smooth transition from driver to driver, as well as the extremely wide soundstage the T2s produced. On “Until You Remember” from the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Revelator disc, the horns’ plaintive notes at the beginning of the song were so smooth, it felt like the T2s were slowly pouring pure New Orleanian sadness into the room. That was followed by the tight plucking of guitar strings to the left of center, and, once Tedeschi’s dead-centered voice was joined by the remainder of the band, each instrument was clearly defined and placed across a wide soundstage.

The Imagine T2 system is splendidly seductive. The graceful curves coyly play with your eyes without demanding constant attention. In the same way, the Imagine T2’s sound is beguilingly smooth and natural; and those alluring sonic qualities extend to the Imagine C center and Imagine S surrounds—and the SubSeries 300—when they’re brought together in one room. Even though it’s composed of six individual boxes, the system is absolutely superb at working together as seamlessly as if it were one big speaker—or, perhaps, no speaker at all. Even if the Imagine T2 system were pink and yellow with a purple-fringed grille cloth, I’d still have to recommend it because it sounds so damn good. Fortunately, it’s a beautiful and elegantly designed piece of work. If this is what comes from living in an anechoic chamber for a good part of your life, then so be it.by darryl wilkinson

 

Definitive Technology BP-8060ST

Bipolar technology (speakers on front and back of enclosure) for huge room-filling sound for every listener in the room

Built-in 300 Watt powered subwoofer delivers massive bass; eliminates need for separate subwoofer

Second generation BDSS high-definition drivers for life-like tonal balance, superb intelligibility and broad dispersion

Slim enclosure takes up minimal floor space (1 sq. foot)

A Legend Reborn
Definitive Technology's first product in 1990 was a bipolar tower loudspeaker. The BP10 was the first step in building the company that stands 20 years later as the best selling and most honored brand of audiophile-grade loudspeakers in the USA. Later Definitive pioneered the concept of "powered towers" by incorporating powered subwoofers into Bipolar floor-standing speakers and dubbed them "SuperTowers." The BP-8060ST is a third generation BP SuperTower and makes use of our most advanced technologies, including a new patent-pending approach to bipolar speaker design called Forward Focused Bipolar Array, Digital Signal Processing amplifier and our patented BDSS driver technology. The BP-8060ST SuperTower is the crowning achievement of over 20 years of research and development to create the perfect balance of style, convenience, and most of all performance in a floor-standing loudspeaker.
The Most Advanced Technologies for the Most Advanced Performance
If you love great sound you must experience Definitive's BP-8060ST Bipolar SuperTower. Its combination of Forward Focused Bipolar Array™ technology (for rich life-like, room-filling, three-dimensional sound), built-in SuperCube® technology powered subwoofers (for lightning-fast, earthshaking bass), and our latest generation patented Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) midrange drivers, all housed in a rock-solid attractive enclosure, delivers unsurpassed sonic performance.

Bipolar technology creates a huge, three-dimensional soundstage

for every listener in the room

Bipolar Technology Brings Performances to Life in Your Home
Many experts and in-the-know listeners agree that bipolar speakers are superior for both music and home theater. With bipolar speaker technology each speaker incorporates two sets of drivers, one facing forward and the other facing to the rear so that the speakers radiate sound both forward and rearward exactly as sound is produced in real life. Forward Focused Bipolar Array™ technology is Definitive's patent-pending improvement to our original Bipolar designs. This new ground-breaking technology combines the huge life-like imaging benefits of bipolar design with improved pinpoint localization of soloists, greater placement flexibility, and superior intelligibility.
The sonic benefits you hear are dramatic! This unique technology provides you with a lifelike balance of early-arrival sound from the front facing drivers, which provides focus, clarity and location data, and reflected delayed sound from the rear drivers which conveys the lush three-dimensional soundstage of a live music or cinematic performance. This combination creates a huge soundfield which is rich, warm, ultra clear and vibrantly alive for every listener in your room. Most importantly, Definitive's bipolar speakers make the walls of your room seem to disappear transporting you into the sound space of the recoded event. They will literally bring your music and movies to life in your home. One listen and you can never go back to conventional speakers again!
The Subwoofer System Will Rock Your World
Each BP-8060ST combines a built-in 10" subwoofer driven by a 300-Watt class D amplifier and two pressure-coupled 10" Low Bass radiators for 29% more surface area than a single 15" woofer but with better control, speed and detail than a single big woofer could ever deliver. The built-in powered subwoofers achieve dramatically better blending, integration and timbre accuracy than could ever be achieved with separate subs.
The brawny 300 Watt Class D amplifier features an integrated Digital Signal Processor (DSP) – in essence a mini computer – that equalizes the woofer system to extend and smooth the bass response, provides a phase coherent crossover to perfectly blend the subwoofer system with the midrange arrays for seamless high performance. Digital protection systems tightly monitor and control the woofer system to prevent distortion and woofer damage at ultra-high volume levels. The bottom line is the BP-8060ST's bass will rock your world like no other speaker anywhere near its price and size.
Why Built-In Powered Subwoofers Are Better Than Separate Subs
Besides eliminating the need for a floor space-hogging separate subwoofer, integrated subs offer dramatic performance benefits. First is the obvious benefit that you'll have two subwoofers in the room instead of just one for simply more bass output. Second, two subwoofers in the room reduce "standing wave" room resonances that create bass dead zones in the room. With two ST-8060STs you'll enjoy high impact bass throughout the room.

Most importantly the subwoofers are perfectly integrated with the mid/high section. Audiophiles often spend hours moving and adjusting their subwoofers' crossover and phase controls in pursuit of perfect subwoofer to main speaker "blending." With the BP-8060ST you won't have to go through that kind of hassle to get great sound. Definitive's engineers have perfectly adjusted the crossover and phase to achieve seamless blending and life-like sound. All you have to

Patented Technology Delivers High Definition Mids and Highs Each BP-8060ST features a D'Appolito front array consisting of two cast-basket 4-1/2" second generation BDSS midrange drivers surrounding a 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter housed in an acoustically isolated sealed enclosure. The drivers feature Definitive's patented Balanced Double Surround System (BDSS) technology that supports the speaker cone at both the inner and outer edges allowing longer, more linear excursion for greater clarity and finely textured inner detail. A new patent pending Linear Response Waveguide™ smoothes off-axis frequency response and disperses sound over a wider area for crystal clear intelligibility for every listener in the room. The tweeter is a pure aluminum dome, which has been heat-treated to relax the crystal structure and then coated with a ceramic to produce extended highs that reveal nuance and shimmer without a trace of edginess.
The rear array uses a single identical BDSS driver and the same 1" aluminum dome tweeter as used in the front array. Like the front array the rear array is housed in a separate sealed MDF enclosure to isolate the midrange drivers from the woofers' influence.
Slim Elegant Styling with Rambo-Like Brawn
All the driver and electronics technology in the world would be wasted if housed in a resonance-prone box. We devoted as much Design and Engineering attention to the styling and construction of the 8060's enclosure as any other part of its design. The tapered front of the enclosure serves to make it appear slimmer while also enhancing sound quality by minimizing cabinet diffraction distortion. The decorative high gloss end cap and bottom panel add elegance to the matte black tower the way satin piping adds dash to a tuxedo. Each BP-8060ST occupies a mere 1 square foot of floor-space (including stabilizer feet) leaving plenty of room for furnishings.
But the enclosure's most important job is to be totally inert and resonance free so as not to color the sound. And that's just we did in engineering the BP enclosures. Wherever a driver is attached to the cabinet we placed a second layer of heavy MDF (a low resonance wood composite material) to prevent the drivers from imparting vibration to the rest of the enclosure. The sealed midrange enclosures also serve to provide bracing for the side walls while MDF cross braces near the woofer further stiffen the system. Tap on the side panels of a BP enclosure to hear the solid "thud" of a solid, well-damped cabinet instead of the hollow ring of a poorly constructed speaker. NOTE: the high gloss polymer composite end-cap is a decorative element; it is not part of the acoustical system.
The Proof is in the Listening
This extraordinary speaker sets a new reference standard for high-accuracy loudspeakers in its class and achieves equally superb performance with both music and movies. The BP-8060ST reproduces a silky smooth, incredibly detailed sonic image at lifelike volume levels with a sense of ease which is truly remarkable.
Movies and music are reproduced with unequaled purity, transparency and lifelike realism. These elegant, slender towers seem to disappear in a huge natural soundstage which extends in a three-dimensional arc beyond the speakers with front to back depth which recreates the illusion of live music or cinematic action being performed live in your room. This combination of high resolution, magnificent sound-staging awesome bass and explosive impact envelops you in the ultimate listening experience.
Now that you're thoroughly impressed with the technology and passion we've poured into every BP series product it is time to find a stocking dealer near you to audition this remarkable achievement of art and science.

Marantz AV8801

The Marantz AV8801 11.2 channel A/V pre-amp/processor is packed with the latest audio and video technologies, all designed to provide you with the ultimate music and movie surround sound experience. Equipped with our advanced multi-DSP audio processor, the AV8801 features a broad range of surround sound decoding modes, including support for high resolution audio formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. For the ultimate surround sound experience, the AV8801 also features expanded multi-channel decoding, including Audyssey DSX and DTS Neo:X, giving you the ability to add additional front height and width channels for a truly expansive and immersive surround sound experience. The AV8801 further enhances audio quality by delicately handling all signals via the Marantz-own HDAMs in Current Feedback topology before being passed to the XLR outputs and separate power amp.
Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room measurement and correction provides easy setup, via the included microphone, and custom generates high resolution digital filters for each speaker and subwoofer, providing smooth tailored acoustic response with correction in both frequency and time domains (conventional equalization only provides frequency tailoring). The AV8801 is also equipped with Audyssey’s LFC (low frequency containment) option, which custom tailors deep bass response to minimize deep bass leakage into adjacent rooms or apartments, while still providing a satisfying wide range listening experience. Audyssey Dynamic Volume monitors and corrects for annoying jumps in signal levels, providing a satisfying listening experience at any volume setting, and Audyssey Dynamic EQ provides precision frequency contouring that delivers enjoyable wide range sound quality even at reduced listening levels, ideal for late-night listening. Audyssey Sub EQ HT processing optimizes dual subwoofer setups, providing custom deep bass tailoring for the smoothest and most dynamic deep bass response from both subs.
The video section features advanced high resolution video processing and decoding, and is equipped with video upscaling that upconverts standard definition (SD) video sources from legacy components to high definition. For compatibility with the latest Ultra High Definition (4K) displays, the AV8801 features the ability to upconvert SD and HD to Ultra High Definition (4K), and it can also accept and pass-through 4K content.
A full suite of video connectivity options includes multiple assignable composite and component video inputs, along with no less than 7 HDMI inputs, including a front panel HDMI input that lets you easily connect an HDMI enabled portable device. There are 3 HDMI outputs, including dual outputs for the main zone, which lets you connect two HD displays, such as a flat panel HDTV and an HD front projector. The third HDMI output let’s you enjoy a different program in another room, and the InstaPrevue function let’s you preview video from connected HDMI sources in multiple picture-in-picture windows.

To handle today’s wideband high dynamic range content, the audio section is equipped with the latest high resolution 192 kHz/32-bit DACs on all channels. The AV8801 can decode WAV, FLAC and ALAC audio files, and includes gapless audio playback. For maximum system configuration capability, the AV8801 is equipped with both unbalanced (RCA) and balanced (XLR) audio outputs. Vinyl fans will surely appreciate the inclusion of a phono input, and there’s no need for a separate tuner, as the AV8801 features a built-in HD Radio tuner. With HD Radio, AM sounds like FM, and FM sounds like CD.

The AV8801 includes full networking capabilities, including a 4-port Ethernet switch that lets you make one connection to your home LAN with three additional connections available so you can connect other source components, such as a network-capable Blu-ray player. AirPlay lets you stream your favorite content from a variety of Apple devices, such as an iPod touch, iPhone or iPad, and the AV8801 includes network streaming functions such as Pandora and SiriusXM internet radio as well as Spotify, along with the ability to stream music and photos over the home network.

EMOTIVA XPR-5 Five-Channel Reference Power Amplifier

you’ll know it is no ordinary power amplifier. The XPR-5 is different from anything we’ve ever done before. It’s Reference by Emotiva, and you have to see it and hear it to believe it.
The XPR-5 faceplate is made of 25 millimeters of solid billet aluminum; tooled, machined, engraved, and finished like fine jewelry. The oversized Emotiva logo is laser embossed on the faceplate, and an array of 60 dual color LEDs forms a high performance metering system that is hidden behind a smoked polycarbonate window. Five high efficiency Optimized Class H™ power amplifier modules are powered by a huge 3.3 kVA toroidal power supply with simply amazing power reserves. Jewel-like oversized, machined, and gold plated input and output connectors ensure that what goes in comes out with the highest possible fidelity. The XPR-5 is controlled, monitored, and protected by an advanced ARM-7 microprocessor with a custom operating system for absolute reliability; for what good is power without control? This philosophy is at the heart of every component in the new Emotiva Reference Series.

The XPR-5  delivers 400 watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 600 watts per channel into 4 Ohms with all channels driven, with vanishingly low noise and distortion. But, just as importantly, it does so with grace and finesse that belies its massive power output capabilities. We’ve put over 30 years of experience into this new Emotiva Reference power amplifier, an instrument that will set a new performance standard for multichannel amplification. You must experience for yourself what unlimited headroom and control can do for your music and movies. It’s a revelation. Quite simply, the XPR-5 is a beautiful amplifier, both visually and audibly.
XPR-5 – Power. Finesse. Control.

Features

• A true reference quality power amplifier optimized for use in high-end
  multi-channel sound systems.
• Superb sound quality and massive power reserves.
• Effortlessly drives complex loads with ease.
• Stable with virtually all real-world speakers.
• Wide band, short signal path, high current class A/B amplifier design topology.
• Optimized Class H™ power supply for high operating efficiency.
• Massive 3.3 kVA toroidal power supply with huge power reserves.
• Audiophile-grade, gold plated, super heavy duty speaker terminals.
• Independently switchable balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs.
• Gold-plated machined RCA input connectors.
• Rugged steel chassis with reinforced construction.
• High quality precision components used throughout.
• Multi-element 25 mm milled solid aluminum faceplate.
• Laser engraved Emotiva logo.
• Exclusive Reference Series accent lighting (with variable intensity).
• LED Bargraph metering system with selectable ballistics.
• Channel Status LEDs indicate high temperature and fault conditions.
• User selectable multi-stage Stealth Illumination Mode.
• Soft Touch power button.
• Fully protected from all common fault conditions.
• Trigger input and output for linking to other trigger-enabled equipment.
• AC line voltage operation - 115 VAC or 230 VAC (switchable

Specifications

• Topology: Fully discrete, dual differential, high current, short signal path Class A/B amplification with Optimized Class-H™ power supply topology.
• Number of Channels: 5
• Power Output
  (rated power; THD < 0.1%):
  400 watts / channel (x5); all channels driven; into 8 Ohms.
  600 watts / channel (x5); all channels driven; into 4 Ohms.
  500 watts / channel (x2); two channels driven; into 8 Ohms.
  750 watts / channel (x2); two channels driven; into 4 Ohms.
  575 watts / channel (x1); one channel driven; into 8 Ohms.
  1100 watts (1 .1 kW) / channel (x1); one channel driven; into 4 Ohms.
• Rated Power Bandwidth (at rated power; 8 Ohm load): 20 Hz to 20 kHz + /- 0.01 dB.
• Minimum Recommended Load Impedance (each channel): 4 Ohms (which equals one 4 Ohm load or two paralleled 8 Ohm loads per channel).
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 80 kHz (+ 0 / - 1 dB).
• THD + noise: < 0.015%
• Signal to Noise Ratio (8 Ohm load):
  > 93 dB at 1 watt (A-weighted).
  > 109 dB at rated power (A-weighted).
• Damping Factor (8 Ohm load): > 500
• Speaker Output Connections:
  Super heavy duty audiophile speaker binding posts - with clear acrylic insulators and heavy duty gold plated contacts; designed to accept heavy-gauge bare cables, lugs, or banana plugs.
• Power Supply:
  3.3 kVA toroidal power transformer.
  180,000 uF of storage capacitance.
• Input sensitivity (for rated power; 8 Ohm load): 1.875 V
• Gain: 29 dB
• Input Connections:
  Unbalanced (Tiffany style, audiophile quality, gold plated RCA); one per channel.
  Balanced (XLR); one per channel.
  Each input may be independently switched to either unbalanced or balanced.
• Input Impedance:
  47 kOhms (unbalanced).
  22 kOhms (balanced).
• Trigger:
  Trigger Input: 5 - 20 V (AC or DC); <10 mA input current required.
  Trigger Output: 12 VDC; can drive any load up to 50 mA.
• Power Requirements: 115 VAC or 230 VAC +/- 10% @ 50 / 60 Hz (user selectable).
  The XPR-5 requires a 20 Amp circuit and standard IEC 20 Amp outlet (which is different than a 15 Amp outlet).If you don’t have a proper circuit and outlet, we recommend you have one installed by a qualified electrician.We recommend that the XPR-5 be plugged into its own dedicated 20 Amp circuit.
• Protection: The XPR-5 is protected against excessive operating temperature, shorted speaker connections, ground faults, and other common fault conditions. If a fault occurs on one or more channels of the XPR-5, the LED above the Standby button, and the Channel Status LEDs and the LED Bargraph Meter LEDs associated with the channel that is reporting the fault will flash red. Returning the XPR-5 to Standby or switching off the AC Power will reset the protection circuitry.
• Dimensions:
  unboxed: 17" wide x 9.5" high x 19.5" deep (includes feet and binding posts; requires additional 3-4" of depth clearance to accomodate the power cord).
  (double) boxed: 27" length x 25" width x 16" height
• Weight: 94 lbs (net); 108 lbs  (boxed) $1999 FREE SHIPPING EMOTIVA.COM

Sharp LC-70LE847U Review

Strengths

• Bright Picture Capability with strong Peak Whites
• Solid Calibration
• With HD content colors Pop
• Strong menu choices
• Good looking appearance and design
• Value Proposition

Weaknesses

• Black Levels not as strong as some
• Somewhat flat picture from the matte screen
• Off-center viewing angles both from above and sides
• Remote keys too small and not backlit
• Sound/Audio Function tinny and muddy
• Film Mode with DVD,Blu-Ray

Basic Specifications

Screen Size Class:	70" Class (69-1/2” Diagonal)
Panel Type:	X-Gen LCD Panel
3D:	Yes
AQUOMOTION (Backlight Scanning Refresh Rate):	N/A
IVC (Intelligent Variable Contrast):	No
Local Dimming:	No
Panel Native Refresh Rate:	240 Hz
10-bit LCD Panel:	Yes
Pixel Resolution:	1920 x 1080
Backlight System:	LED
LED Backlight System:	Edge Lit
Viewing Angles:	176º H / 176º V
Audio System:	10W + 10W +15W (Subwoofer)
Tuning System:	ATSC / QAM / NTSC
Dynamic Contrast Ratio:	10,000,000:1
Aspect Ratio:	16:9

Features

AQUOS® Series:	Yes
Surround Sound:	Yes
3D Depth Enhancer:	Yes
Quad Pixel Plus II:	Yes
Quattron™ quad pixel technology:	Yes
AQUOS Advantage℠ Support:	Yes
Digital Still Picture Display:	Yes
Game-Optimized:	Yes

Inputs

USB Input:	2
HDMI®:	4
HD Component:	1
Composite Video:	1
Audio Inputs (L/R):	2
RS-232C:	1
PC:	1
Ethernet Input:	1

Outputs

Digital Audio:

Optical

Power

Power Consumption AC (watts):	200W
Power Source:	120V

Dimensions

Dimensions (wxhxd) (inches):	62-49/64 x 38 x 2-13/64
Dimensions with Stand (wxhxd) (inches):	62-49/64 x 39-11/32 x 14-7/32

Weight

Product Weight (lbs.):	83.8
Weight with Stand (lbs.):	90.4

Additional Specifications

Cabinet Color:	Black
Limited Warranty:	1 year parts and labor from date of purchase

Included Accessories

Table Stand:	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes
3D TV Glasses:	Optional

New Blu-Ray discs offering four times hi-def due out in 2013

technology companies are already preparing for the next stage, with televisions, players and discs that will offer 'Ultra HD' resolutions.
Sony and LG are gearing up for new Blu-Ray discs that offer 'Ultra HD' definitions far higher than normal Full HD, such as 4K - four times higher than normal HD, and near the resolutions offered in Imax theatres.
'We're expecting the arrival of 4K Blu-rays in 2013,' said John Taylor, LG's Vice President of Communications told website Pocket-Lint.

Sony's new S790 player, due out this year, will 'upscale' Blu-Rays to 4K resolution. Sony is also rumoured to be in talks with film studios about a new specification of Blu-Ray discs capable of storing and showing films in the new 'Ultra HD' format

The discs could be on the market as early as 2013. LG, Toshiba and others have televisions capable of Ultra HD.
Sony's new S790 player,will 'upscale' Blu-Rays to 4K resolution.
'The player will upscale Full HD Blu-rays to 4k definition. For this to happen you would need a 4K capable screen.by rob waugh


 

Panasonic DMP-BDT500 Review

 

The Panasonic DMP-BDT500 does everything the Panasonic DMP-BDT220 and DMP-BDT320 do – and does it better.
For starters, the flagship model is better built than its siblings, the casework feeling sturdier and more substantial. The touch-sensitive controls on top of the player are not just fun to use, they're also slick and quick to respond.
As for the technical spec, it's fully kitted out, with Panasonic's new touchpad remote control, smart home networking, wi-fi, adaptive chroma picture processing, 3D playback and DLNA.
And yes it does have twin HDMI and multichannel analogue outputs (5.1 or 7.1) for connecting to older home cinema amps and receivers that don't handle 3D passthrough or HD audio over HDMI.
It even has what Panasonic calls 'Digital Tube Sound', designed to recreate the "warm, comforting sound of tube amps". There are six different sound options available with this feature, each with its own characteristics.

Panasonic DMP-BDT500: Picture qualityBut let's start with picture quality: we’ve been using The Adventures of Tintin as a test movie for a while now, and the Panasonic DMP-BDT500 injects fresh new life into the film.
It’s remarkably crisp and detailed, with textures in particular rendered brilliantly: you can see the creases and wrinkles on clothes, and even the smallest scratches on wood grain and glass.
The Panasonic DMP-BDT500’s colour palette is expertly balanced, too, with lots of depth and vivacity without being overblown, and a nice, natural quality to skin-tones.
The DMP-BDT500’s biggest improvement lies in motion handling. It’s wonderfully fluid, with no discernible judder or blurring. And you’ll appreciate it even more with a Lord of the Rings DVD. The player’s impressive upscaling makes Middle Earth look beautifully detailed.
Just make sure you've set the frame rate and upscaling to the correct values in the setting's menu to get the best results. Ideally, the frame rate should be set to 24 fps, and upscaling set to 1080p
3D viewing benefits from the improved motion as well: the documentary film TT3D: Closer to the Edge looks smooth and steady, with great depth and detail.

Panasonic DMP-BDT500: Picture adjustments
The Panasonic comes with a whole host of settings to adjust the picture: for example, you have the option to fine tune the picture quality in the User Mode – where you can adjust brightness, contrast and sharpness, among others.
Panasonic’s Adaptive Chroma Process aims to produce a high resolution of rich images, and it does exactly that – the colours are vibrant and rich, although they tend towards looking quite overblown and take away the naturalness of certain textures like skin tones.
Detail Clarity and Super Resolution emphasise the leading edges of the image – which are welcome adjustments if your current screen isn’t quite up to standard.

Panasonic DMP-BDT500: Sound quality
Panasonic Blu-ray players have always sounded good, and the BDT500 adds to that by being even more muscular.
The dialogue is clear and distinct, but it’s with explosions and gunshots that you can really hear the power in the DMP-BDT500: it’s gutsy and exciting, with plenty of attack that’ll get you fully immersed in the film.
That’s also evident when playing music over a network. Stream a FLAC file of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep and the BDT500 delivers a solid, engaging and lively performance.

Panasonic DMP-BDT500: Sound tuning
When it comes to sound, you have plenty of options: Night Surround compresses dynamics and pushes midrange to the forefront so you can hear the dialogue even with a low volume; while Dialogue Enhancer quite predictable increases the volume of the centre channel.
There are three re-mastered sound options – Pop and Rock, Jazz, and Classical – which alter the tonality of the sound by putting emphasis on the higher frequencies.
Conversely, there are six ‘Digital Tube Sound’ effects, which are inspired by the characteristically warm and fuller sound of valve amplifiers. Panasonic says its engineers have been studying the sonic charasctristics of valve (or tube) amplifiers, and the six settings here aim to reproduce those.
Each option offers varying degrees of smoothing of the sound, but at the expense of making it also rather thick and dull. Switching all options off (or back to normal) makes you immediately aware of all the spacious soundstage that gets cut off when you put the effects on.
All these adjustments are helpful if your existing system has a particular tonal characteristic; for example you might want to play around with the Digital Tube Sound options if your partnering kit has a harsh or hard sound.
But on the whole, Panasonic Blu-ray players tend to have a great standard when it comes to both picture and sound quality, and you’ll find that leaving them to the default settings leaves the original soundtrack intact.

Panasonic DMP-BDT500: Networking  You also have access to a host of online network features via integrated wi-fi or ethernet, such as BBCiPlayer, Netflix, Skype, Facebook, and Twitter, and the stream is fast and uninterrupted.
It's all part of Panasonic's Viera Connect portal, which is an improvement on last year's fare, although the interface is a little clunky compared to the slicker offerings from the likes of Samsung.
You can also stream video from local storage – a computer or NAS drive, for example: any stored photos, music and videos can be pulled up with just a few clicks on the button (or taps on the touchpad), and then you’ll be enjoying your stored media seamlessly
.
Panasonic DMP-BDT500: Touchpad remote
Still, Panasonic isn't afraid to try new things on the design front and this year it's chosen to take a scalpel to the player's remote, merging buttons with a touchpad.
It's a nice idea in theory but this new-fangled approach does take quite a while to get used to, and it might mean spending a couple of seconds flicking over the manual!
Having shortcut keys to Skype, Netflix and internet (aka Viera Connect) is great. When it comes to navigating settings and disc menus, you have to employ a combination of button presses together with various swishes and taps on the touchpad.
A couple of times our fingers were tied up in knots, but given time, operating it does become easier.
Verdict
Overall, is the Panasonic DMP-BDT500 worth the extra cash over the cheaper models in the range?
Definitely. Improving on an already brilliant line-up, it’s a captivating player that will make you dig out all your discs and watch them anew.by what hifi.com

Yamaha RX-A2020 9.2-Channel Network AVENTAGE AV Receiver

Yamaha RX-A2020 9.2-Channel Network AVENTAGE AV Receiver

Key Features

• Network receiver with AV Controller App for iPad/iPhone/iPod and Android phones/tablets
• 9.2-Channel Powerful Surround Sound with 140W per Channel
• Apple Airplay Allows Streaming Music to AV Receiver
• HD Audio format decoding: Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
• 4K pass-through for next generation super high resolution displays, and HDMI (4 in/1 out) with 3D and Audio Return Channel
• Front panel USB Digital Connection for iPad/iPod/iPhone & MP3
• YPAO sound optimization for automatic speaker setup in minutes
• Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection or Zone B for extended audio in another room
• ECO mode operation for about 20%* less power consumption

The All-New Yamaha RX-A2020 AVENTAGE Receiver. Enjoy a Whole New Level of Audio Performance.

The RX-A2020 Yamaha network receiver brings premium quality home, with exceptional audio and video quality in 9.2 powerful 140 watt channels and front presence or independent Zone2 for whole home entertainment. The RX-A2020 also delivers expanded Apple connectivity and AirPlay. Enjoy unrivaled access with your tablet using the Yamaha AV Controller App (iOS/Android/Kindle Fire) with 4K video upscaling for next generation displays and advanced auto-calibration (YPAO w/R.S.C.) to ensure audio accuracy. On top of premier features, appreciate multiple ECO functions to lower power consumption.

The AVENTAGE line of high-performance AV receivers is based on the audio design concept of providing a massive, full-bodied sound for movie sound effects and the accurate reproduction of music sources. By expertly harmonizing traditional and advanced technologies, every factor that affects sound quality - from materials and parts to construction, layout, vibration damping (unique foot) and “fine-tuning” the sound - is handled with no other thought than to achieve the best possible audio quality. As a result, every AVENTAGE model has the ability to reproduce the most subtle details of high-definition sound so that listeners can enjoy a truly high-class sound studio experience at home.

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Anti-Resonance Technology Wedge Helps to Ensure that Vibrations Do Not Affect Sound Quality

The Anti-Resonance Technology (A.R.T.) Wedge is a fifth foot in the center of the unit. It dampens vibrations from the power transformer, power transistors and heat sinks, as well as vibrations that might be caused by the sound from the speakers.

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High Quality Parts Allow Sound Tuning for Optimum Performance

Every single part in an AV receiver affects the sound quality. For the AVENTAGE models, extra time was taken to find (or develop) exactly the parts wanted and to test them together in prototype units. This testing process allowed sound technicians to, in effect, “tune” the receiver’s sound in order to achieve the highest performance possible.

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Symmetrical Power Amplifier Layout

This is just one of the many design details that all combine to create a superior receiver. The interior of the unit has been precisely planned, circuit-routed and built so that the left and right channels are physically and electrically isolated. This naturally maximizes channel separation, but also greatly improves signal-to-noise ratio and also helps to achieve a wide, open sound stage.

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HQV Vida Processor for High Resolution HD and SD Images

This AV receiver optimizes the video signals they send to the TV by using the most advanced HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) Vida processor. Supporting both SD and HD sources, this processor employs powerful noise reduction functions that even improve low-quality sources. Additional resolution enhancement functions make SD content look like HD.

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4K Pass-Through and Upscaling Supports Latest High Resolution Video Formats

This AV receiver provides advanced HDMI features including 4K pass-through. 4K refers to four times the resolution of a 1080p display. While not yet available, 4K displays and sources are sure to become popular in the future. This receiver is capable of passing the 4K data from the source to the display, for image clarity far beyond present standards. It also can perform 4K upscaling to boost a lower resolution image to super high-def resolution. This ensures compatibility with the latest super high resolution video formats.

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HDMI with 3D and Audio Return Channel

3D means the receiver can handle 3D signal data. The Audio Return Channel function enables data to be sent and received via the same HDMI cable, so you can hear the sound from the TV via a single HDMI cable, with no need for an extra optical cable.

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Aluminum Front Panel Offers Visual and Aural Benefits

All of the AVENTAGE components feature the same sleek, clean design, with an elegant aluminum front panel and silky touch volume/selector knobs. The aluminum front panel is used to effectively shield sensitive circuitry from external noise and electronic radiation generated by dimmer switches, fluorescent lighting, video monitors and so on. This ensures optimum sonic performance in the widest range of installation environments.

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High Quality Video Processing with Edge Adaptive Deinterlacing

In ordinary deinterlacing, pixels in areas of movement are interpolated by upper and lower ranges. This causes jaggies in diagonal lines. Edge adaptive deinterlacing detects the direction of the line and interpolates the pixels optimally.

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Network Functions

This AV receiver provides a variety of network functions that enable you to access more sources and also enhance operation. You can connect the receiver to a PC to enjoy Internet Radio and operate your system via Web Browser Control. The AV Controller app (from Amazon App Store, iTunes App Store or Android Market) lets you control various functions from your Kindle Fire, iPod, iPhone, iPad or Android device.

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View the Kindle App

AV Controller App for Easy, Convenient Operation

This AV Receiver lets you use the Yamaha AV Controller app that is downloadable from the Amazon App Store, iTunes App Store or Android Market to control power on/off and volume, select input and DSP modes and operate other functions from your Kindle Fire, iPod, iPhone, iPad or Android device. A tablet version is also available.

Control your Yamaha Network Receiver with Free Kindle Fire App

With a Yamaha network receiver you can now control your music and media with our new app designed specifically for the #1 product on Amazon, the Kindle Fire. This application is FREE, and available for download on the Amazon App Store for Kindle Fire and other Android devices. Click here to check out the Kindle App for Yamaha Network Receivers.

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Versatile Zone Control

• HDMI Zone B for audio/video streaming to another room (same content as main room)
• Zone 2/3 on/off and control on front panel
• Zone GUI (song/station selection, album cover art display, Zone tone controls/Zone balance, short message)
• Zone 2/3 video assign (component, S-Video, composite)
• System backup/recovery function
• Zone mono, Zone volume, tone controls and balance
• Party Mode

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AirPlay Allows Streaming Music to AV Receiver

This AV receiver supports AirPlay, which means they can accept wireless music streaming from iPod touch, iPhone or iPad, as well as from iTunes on Macs or PCs. This makes it easy to enjoy music from your mobile devices or computer on your home theater system. You can use view metadata such as song title, artist name as well as album art* via AV receiver's on-screen display. *Some models don't support album art display.

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YPAO calibrates audio to optimize sound. View larger

YPAO R.S.C. (Reflected Sound Control) Sound Optimization with Speaker Angle Measurement

YPAO analyzes room acoustics and measures various speaker characteristics, then calibrates audio parameters to achieve optimum sound at any of eight listening positions. It employs Reflected Sound Control to correct early reflections for studio-quality sound. It also provides DSP Effect Normalization, which varies the CINEMA DSP parameters according to the reflected sounds.

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High-resolution Music Enhancer Further Heightens Musicality From the Original Content

Hi-bit high-sampling extension up to 96 kHz / 24-bit can be applied to lossless 44.1/48 kHz content such as from a CD (2-channel PCM) or a FLAC file for further heightening of the musicality in the original content.

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USB Digital Connection for iPod, iPhone and iPad on the Front Panel

A USB port on the front panel allows convenient connection of an iPod/iPhone/iPad, which also charges when connected. Because the digital signal from the iPod/iPhone/iPad is transmitted directly to the AV receiver, there is no signal loss or interference, so you enjoy the best possible sound quality. In addition, you can use the receiver’s remote control unit to operate the iPod/iPhone/iPad music playback functions.

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Advanced Multi-Language GUI On-Screen Display

Yamaha’s latest Graphical User Interface has a high resolution display with clear, easy-to-use menus and also includes a selectable Status Bar that shows input source, volume level, DSP mode and audio format. The GUI provides a choice of seven languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Chinese, and can be displayed over both normal and 3D pictures.

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See how Zone 2 works. View larger.

Intelligent Amp Assign

Intelligent Amp Assign automatically assigns amplifier channels to certain speakers, depending on what functions are selected. For example, in a 9.2-channel system, when Zone 2 is off, all 7.1 channels will be used in the Main Zone. However, when Zone 2 is on, power to the two Surround Back channels will be directed to the two speakers and sub in Zone 2, and the Main Zone will receive 5.1 channels of power. Similarly, when CINEMA DSP 3D is on, the two Front Presence speakers will be powered and not the two Surround Back speakers. When CINEMA DSP 3D is off, this situation is reversed. Thanks to Intelligent Amp Assign, there’s no need to switch the speaker cables on the rear of the receiver—one more way Yamaha makes your life a little easier.

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Extra-convenient SCENE PLUS

The SCENE PLUS function simplifies operation by providing one touch power-on along with selection of the desired source and the appropriate DSP programs. SCENE PLUS offers a choice of 12 SCENE selections, four of which can be assigned to the second zone in a multi-zone system. SCENE PLUS can be selected from the front panel, remote control, GUI and even from the AV Controller App.

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HDMI Front Panel Input

In addition to the large number of HDMI inputs on the rear panel, there is also one on the front panel. This gives you a convenient way to quickly plug in a digital camera or camcorder for highest quality pictures.

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Input Selection in HDMI Standby Through Mode

When the AV receiver is in HDMI Standby Through mode, the input source (Blu-ray™ Disc player, game console, etc.) for viewing on the monitor can be changed via the remote control. There’s no need to turn on the AV receiver in order to switch sources.

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Compressed Music Enhancer

When music is encoded into a digitally compressed format like MP3, the frequency response suffers. Yamaha’s Compressed Music Enhancer employs sophisticated digital signal processing using exclusive algorithms to restore what was lost, so the music always sounds the way it should.

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HDMI CEC for Easy Operation

Another benefit of HDMI is the availability of CEC functionality. When the unit is connected to a CEC compatible TV, it will turn on and off together with the TV, and you can use the TV remote to control the volume. CEC also provides advanced functionality with other components. For example, you can use the receiver’s remote unit to control player functions like Skip and Stop. *All connected devices must be HDMI CEC compatible. Some CEC compatible TVs/players may not work.

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Enjoy CINEMA DSP. View larger

HD Audio with CINEMA DSP 3D and Virtual Presence Speaker

CINEMA DSP 3D provides a wide, high and dense sound field. HD Audio format decoding lets you enjoy HD Audio sources. Virtual Presence Speaker delivers 3-dimensional sound without actual use of presence speakers.

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Subwoofer Trim for Improved Sound Imaging

The Subwoofer Trim Control enhances the low frequencies by avoiding overlap with the front speaker output. This will result in a cleaner, more focused sound stage while providing a seamless frequency response. When subwoofer frequency overlap occurs in conventional systems, the overall sound is “pushed” toward the subwoofer. Subwoofer Trim takes care of this by separating the low subwoofer frequencies cleanly, thus stabilizing the front stage while providing a well-balanced, enhanced bass sound.

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Dialogue Lift and Dialogue Level Adjustment for natural dialogue and vocals

Dialogue Lift raises the sound of dialogue from the center speaker to a position in the center of the screen. Newly developed virtual dialogue lift achieves dialogue lift function even without the need for presence speakers. Dialogue Level Adjustment lets you control the volume of the vocal sound, so you hear movie dialogue and music vocals at the ideal level for clear, comfortable listening.

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Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control)

Adaptive DRC automatically adjusts the dynamic range of the sound according to the volume level. This ensures that you hear clear dialog and vocals, and all sound effects at comfortable levels. There is no need to adjust the volume level as you listen; everything from whispers to big explosions will be heard clearly and comfortably at the same volume setting. It also tones down loud TV commercials, and is ideal for low-volume, late-night listening, when you do not want to disturb others.

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ECO mode lowers power consumption by 20%*

Yamaha’s new ECO mode reduces power consumption by about 20%. It can be set from the top of the GUI menu.
* Compared to power consumption when ECO mode is off (Yamaha measurement).

Selectable Auto Power Down

Auto Power Down lets you save energy by selecting to turn off the power after 2, 4, 8 or 12 hours.
* Compared to power consumption when ECO mode is off (Yamaha measurement).

Low Standby Power Consumption

Yamaha makes its receivers eco-friendly with a low standby power consumption of 0.1W in IR Standby mode (1W in HDMI Standby Through mode, 2W in Network Standby mode).

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Other Notable Advanced Features

• Charging of iPod, iPhone and iPad via USB when AV Receiver is off
• iPod/iPhone song titles displayed in English and Western European languages on the front panel
• Advanced multi-language GUI on-screen display with album art (English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Japanese)
• Virtual Presence Speaker function for CINEMA DSP 3D surround without Front Presence Speakers
• Access to: Internet Radio (vTuner): MP3, WMA Music files on PC/NAS: WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC
• Audio input assign capability for HDMI and component video input
• Subwoofer phase select / Subwoofer out
• Initial Volume Setting and Maximum Volume Setting
• Audio Delay for adjusting Lip-Sync (0-500 ms)
• 40-station preset tuning / Auto preset tuning
• Background Video feature (for Radio and Net)
• 4K / full HD 1080p video upscaling from analog and HDMI input
• Supports Deep Color (30/36 bit), x.v.Color, 24 Hz Refresh Rate and Auto Lip-Sync compensation

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Which Yamaha AVENTAGE Series Receiver is Right for You?

	Yamaha RX-A720 Check out the Yamaha RX-A720	Yamaha RX-A820 Check out the Yamaha RX-A820	Yamaha RX-A1020 Check out the Yamaha RX-A1020	Yamaha RX-A2020 Check out the Yamaha RX-A2020	Yamaha RX-A3020 Check out the Yamaha RX-A3020
AUDIO
Wattage(20-20khz)	90w x 7ch	100w x 7ch	110w x 7ch	140w x 9ch	150w x 9ch
Output Channels (Main)	7.2	7.2	7.2	9.2	*9.2
Intelligent Amp Switching (Multi-zone)	✔ (2 Zone)	✔ (2 Zone)	✔ (2 Zone)	✔ (3 Zone)	✔ (3 Zone)
YPAO Technology	Reflected Sound Control (R.S.C.)	Multi-point (8 positions)	Multi-point (8 positions)	R.S.C. with Multi-point (8 positions)	R.S.C. with Multi-point (8 positions) + Angle Correction
Compressed Music Enhancer	✔	✔	✔	✔ - Lossless PCM & WAV	✔ - Lossless PCM & WAV
HDMI
4K Pass-through & Upscaling	✔	✔	✔	✔ - HQV Vida 1900	✔ - HQV Vida 1900
3D Compatible	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
HDMI Inputs/Outputs	6 in (1 front) / 1 out	8 in (1 front) / 2 out	8 in (1 front) / 2 out	8 in (1 front) / 2 out	8 in (1 front) / 2 out
Multi-zone HDMI	-	✔ ZoneB	✔ ZoneB	✔ ZoneB	✔ ZoneB
NETWORK
iPod/iPhone/iPad Certified	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
AirPlay	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Play Music from USB/Net	✔	✔	✔	✔ 192k/24bit	✔ 192k/24bit
CONSTRUCTION
Fifth Foot	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Symmetrical Amp Layout	-	-	✔	✔	✔
Dual Heat Sink	-	-	✔	✔	✔
Center Mount Transformer	-	-	✔	✔	✔
H-Frame Reinforcement	-	-	-	✔	✔
CONVENIENCE
Graphic User Interface	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
SCENE	✔	✔	✔ SCENE PLUS	✔ SCENE PLUS	✔ SCENE PLUS
Party Mode	-	✔	✔	✔	✔
FREE AV Controller App (Apple iOS, Android & Amazon Kindle Fire)	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
INPUTS/OUTPUTS
HDMI	6 (1 front) / 1	8 (1 front) / 2 (simultaneous)	8 (1 front) / 2 (simultaneous)	8 (1 front) / 2 (simultaneous)	8 (1 front) / 2 (assignable for zone)
Front AV Input	HDMI, USB, composite	HDMI, USB, analog audio, optical, composite	HDMI, USB, analog audio, optical, composite	HDMI, USB, analog audio, optical, composite	HDMI, USB, analog audio, optical, composite
Digital Audio Optical	2 / 0	2 / 0	4 (1 front) / 1	4 (1 front) / 1	4 (1 front) / 1
Digital Audio Coaxial	2 / 0	2 / 0	3 / 0	3 / 0	3 / 0
Analog Audio	4 / 1	5 / 1	10 (1 front) / 1	10 (1 front) / 1	10 (1 front) / 1
Phono Input	-	-	✔	✔	✔
Component Video	2 / 1	2 / 1	4 / 1	4 / 1	4 / 1
Composite Video	5 (1 front) / 1	5 (1 front) / 1	5 (1 front) / 1	5 (1 front) / 1	5 (1 front) / 1
S-Video	-	-	4 / 1	4 / 1	4 / 1
Preout	Subwoofer (2 x mono)	7.2ch	7.2ch	7.2ch	11.2ch
Headphone Output	1	1	1	1	1
Multi-Channel Input	-	-	8ch	8ch	8ch

OPPO NEW BDP-103 Universal 3D Blu-Ray Player

High Definition Video and Audio from All Sources. The BDP-103 represents a marked evolution in OPPO's design and engineering. New to this model are exciting features such as 4k video up-scaling, 2D to 3D conversion, dual HDMI inputs and MHL compatibility. A new dual-core System-on-Chip processor delivers quick startup and fast disc loading speed. With improved network streaming applications and an enriched media playback interface, the BDP-103 is a versatile player that delivers quality picture and premium sound.

Features

Diversified Media Support: Blu-ray Disc - The high definition Blu-ray Disc™ format provides pristine video and audio quality for your home entertainment. Blu-ray 3D – Experience high definition in all new dimensions. The BDP-103 supports the Blu-ray 3D specifications and is fully compatible with Blu-ray 3D discs1. 2D to 3D Conversion – Take your standard DVD, Blu-ray, and other video content to the next dimension by converting them into 3D with the simple press of a button. The BDP-103 can also adjust the depth and eye convergence levels to suit your personal preference. SACD - The BDP-103 plays Super Audio CD (SACD) and supports both stereo and multi-channel high resolution audio programs. Users can select whether to output the DSD (Direct Stream Digital) signal in its native format or convert it into PCM. DVD-Audio - The BDP-103 plays DVD-Audio and supports both stereo and multi-channel high resolution audio programs. Users can select whether to play the DVD-Audio or the DVD-Video portion of the disc. Netflix Instant Streaming - Instantly watch TV shows & movies streaming from Netflix3. Netflix "Just For Kids" is a special selection of kid-friendly TV episodes & movies for younger viewers. It is included with your Netflix unlimited streaming membership. Selected titles support features including 1080p video, 5.1ch audio, subtitles and alternative audio languages. VUDU HD Movie Streaming - Stream thousands of movies instantly the day-and-date they are released on DVD/Blu-ray in stunning 1080p video, rich 7.1 surround audio and even in 3D2. Pandora Internet Radio - Personalized music streaming using the Music Genome Project, staying true to their mission: "Playing only the music you'll love".4 Comprehensive Internet Streaming - In addition to Netflix, VUDU and Pandora, the BDP-103 provides access to popular entertainment network services from Film Fresh, YouTube Leanback and Picasa. BD-Live & BonusVIEW - The BDP-103 supports BD-Live™ (Profile 2.0) and contains all necessary hardware - audio/video decoder, Ethernet and wireless networking, and 1GB of internal storage - for BD-Live. It also supports BonusVIEW (Profile 1.1) enabling "picture-in-picture" and audio features for viewing director or actor commentary while the main movie is playing. Additional Disc & Media Formats - Additional disc and file formats, such as DVD, audio CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, AVCHD, MP4, AVI, MKV and other audio/video/picture files on recorded discs or USB drives can be played back on the BDP-103. The BDP-103 fully supports high-resolution lossless WAV and FLAC audio formats.5 Unparalleled Video Quality: Qdeo by Marvell - The BDP-103 incorporates Marvell's Kyoto-G2H video processor with the latest generation Qdeo™ technology. Qdeo video processing delivers a truly immersive viewing experience by rendering quiet natural video free of noise and artifacts for all types of content. For high-quality Blu-ray content, the BDP-103 faithfully reproduces the program just as the director intended; for DVD, the up-converted picture quality bridges the visual gap from your current DVD library to Blu-ray discs; for network streaming and user-encoded content at a variety of formats and quality, the BDP-103 offers enhancement options including video noise reduction, compression artifact reduction, intelligent color, contrast, detail and edge enhancements. To learn more about the Qdeo video processing technology, please read the Qdeo Extended Technology Brief. 4K Up-scaling - Enhance the home theater experience with four times the resolution of Full HD 1080p by up-scaling all video sources to 4K (3840 x 2160) output resolution. DVD Up-Conversion - Per-pixel motion-adaptive de-interlacing and advanced scaling transform the standard definition image on DVDs to high definition output on your TV. Additional Qdeo video processing options help to deliver a clearer, smoother, and more true-to-life picture free of noise and artifacts. Full HD 1080p Output - The BDP-103 features user selectable video output resolutions, including 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, and 4K. True 24p™ Video - Many Blu-ray Discs are recorded at 24 frames per second, the same frame rate as the original movie's theatrical release. The BDP-103 can faithfully redeliver the original frames using 1080p 24Hz output (compatible display required) for smoother motion and a flicker-free, film-like home theater experience. It can also restore the original 24 frames per second progressive-scan video from well-authored DVDs and output 1080p 24Hz. Source Direct Mode - For users who wish to use an external video processor, the BDP-103 offers a "Source Direct" mode. The original audio/video content on the discs is sent out with no additional processing or alteration. Multiple Zoom Modes - The BDP-103 supports multiple levels of aspect ratio control and image zooming. Users can watch a movie in its original aspect ratio, fit to the full screen, or zoom in to remove the black bars on some titles. Vertical Stretch Mode - For customers with a 2.35:1 CIH (Constant Image Height) display system, the player's zoom options include a vertical stretch mode to work nicely with an anamorphic lens. A unique subtitle shift feature allows the user to move the subtitle up and down, making it possible to see all subtitle text when using a 2.35:1 CIH display. Advanced Picture Control - Users can have fine control of brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, sharpness, noise reduction, color and contrast enhancements. The player can remember and apply three custom picture control modes to suit a variety of viewing conditions and content types. High Fidelity Audio: Dolby® TrueHD - Dolby TrueHD delivers lossless studio master quality audio designed specifically for high definition entertainment. The BDP-103 supports bit-stream output of Dolby TrueHD via its HDMI 1.4a output. It can also internally decode Dolby TrueHD into LPCM and output via HDMI or the 7.1ch analog audio output terminals. Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus audio formats are also supported. DTS-HD Master Audio™ - DTS-HD Master Audio delivers an auditory experience that matches the lifelike images of high-definition video with up to 7.1 channels that are bit-for-bit identical to the studio master. The BDP-103 supports bit-stream output of DTS-HD Master Audio. It can also internally decode DTS-HD Master Audio and output via HDMI or the 7.1ch analog audio output terminals. (DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS Digital Surround are also supported.) 7.1-Channel Analog Output - Individual analog 7.1-channel surround outputs are ideal to connect to a 7.1-channel or 5.1-channel surround sound system. The BDP-103 delivers an incredible sound stage and an immersive surround experience. For users with stereo speakers, the 7.1-channel analog output can be configured to a stereo down-mix mode. Digital Optical and Coaxial Outputs - For simple and easy connection to more traditional A/V receivers, the BDP-103 features both optical and coaxial outputs for digital audio. Rigid Chassis Construction - Built around a steel chassis, aluminum faceplate, and center-mounted disc loader, the BDP-103 is designed to impress as well as to provide a stable base for the highest quality reproduction of your favorite media. Ultimate Convenience: Dual HDMI Outputs – Two HDMI v1.4a output ports are provided to offer the most versatile installation options to both older and newer HDMI equipment. You do not have to upgrade your A/V receiver to a 3D model in order to enjoy 3D. One HDMI output of the BDP-103 can be connected to a 3D TV and the other can be connected to a pre-3D HDMI v1.1-1.3 A/V receiver. For projector users, you can connect one output to a projector for home theater use and the other to a TV for casual viewing. For a multi-room installation the BDP-103 can output audio and video to two 3D or 2D TVs simultaneously. Dual HDMI Inputs – Connect external devices such as set-top boxes and network streaming devices to take further advantage of the excellent audio and video processing functions by the BDP-103. The BDP-103 offers two HDMI inputs, one on the front and one on the back. MHL Input – Simplify connecting smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices to the home theater by using the MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) input port of the BDP-103. Display high resolution pictures, 1080p video and listen to pure digital music all while simultaneously charging the connected mobile device. The front HDMI input port of the BDP-103 doubles as the MHL input. Wireless & Ethernet – Using the included wireless-N adapter or the built-in RJ45 Ethernet port, users will be able to interact with BD-Live content, watch instant streaming programs from providers such as Netflix or VUDU, playback contents stored on their home network, and keep the BDP-103 up-to-date with firmware releases to ensure maximum Blu-ray compatibility. Triple USB Ports - Three USB 2.0 high speed ports are provided, one on the front panel and two on the back. Users can enjoy high definition video, high resolution photos and music directly from their USB drives. PAL/NTSC Conversion - The BDP-103 supports NTSC and PAL systems for both disc playback and video output. It can also convert content of one system for output in another. (Subject to DVD and BD region restrictions.) Back-lit Remote Control - The BDP-103 comes with a fully back-lit remote control for ease of use in dark home theaters. With its ergonomic button layout and clear labeling, operating the Blu-ray Disc player is easier than ever. Universal Power Supply - The BDP-103 features a wide-range world power supply that is compatible with AC power from all regions. No worries about damaging the player due to incorrect power voltage. External IR - For integration into home theater control systems, the BDP-103 provides an external IR IN port to use with an IR distribution system. RS232 Control - For custom installation, the BDP-103 offers an RS232 control port with a rich control and communication protocol. Installers can easily program their favorite control systems to operate the BDP-103. Remote Control Apps – For additional user convenience, the BDP-103 can be operated using remote control apps running on compatible smartphone and tablet devices. The remote control app for Android is already available. An app for Apple iOS devices is coming soon. HDMI CEC - HDMI Consumer Electronics Control simplifies the home theater by allowing a single remote control to operate multiple devices. Gracenote MusicID® and VideoID™ - By connecting to Gracenote's global media database over the Internet, the BDP-103 can offer an enriched playback experience by displaying Cover Art, Title, Artist, Genre and other media information for CD, DVD, Blu-ray and a wide range of digital media files. DMP & DMR - Digital Media Player (DMP) and Digital Media Renderer (DMR) features enables wired or wireless access of audio, picture, and video files stored on DLNA-compatible digital media servers such as a computer or network storage device (NAS). SMB/CIFS Access - The BDP-103 comes with an experimental feature that can access video, audio and picture files shared by computers on the local network via the Server Message Block (SMB) or Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocols. Notes: 1Requires proper 3D television and glasses. 2Service available in the United States only. A VUDU user account is required to rent or buy movies and TV shows. 3U.S. - Netflix unlimited streaming membership required. International - Netflix is available in certain countries. Unlimited membership required. More information at www.netflix.com 4Service available in the United States only. 5Compatibility with user-encoded contents or user-created discs is on a best-effort basis with no guarantee due to the variation of media, software and techniques used.

Specifications Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice. Disc Types BD-Video, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, AVCHD, SACD, CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL, BD-R/RE BD Profile BD-ROM Version 2.5 Profile 5 (also compatible with Profile 1 Version 1.0 and 1.1) Internal Storage 1GB (Actual space available for persistent storage varies due to system usage) Output Analog Audio: 7.1ch, 5.1ch, stereo. Coaxial/Optical Audio: Dolby Digital, DTS, up to 2ch/192kHz PCM. HDMI Audio: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio, up to 7.1ch/192kHz PCM, up to 5.1ch DSD. HDMI Video: 480i/480p/576i/576p/720p/1080i/1080p/1080p24/4Kx2K, 3D frame-packing 720p/1080p24. Input HDMI Audio: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, AAC, up to 5.1ch/192kHz or 7.1ch/96kHz PCM. HDMI Video: 480i/480p/576i/576p/720p/1080i/1080p/1080p24/1080p25/1080p30, 3D frame-packing 720p/1080p24. MHL Audio: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, up to 5.1ch/192kHz PCM. MHL Video: 480i/480p/576i/576p/720p/1080i/1080p24/1080p25/1080p30, 3D frame-packing 720p/1080p24. Audio Characteristics (Nominal specification) Frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz (±0.05dB), 20Hz – 96kHz (-4.5dB ~ +0.05dB) Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >115dB (A-weighted) THD+N: < 0.006% (1kHz at 0dBFS, 20kHz LPF) General Specification Power Supply: ~100V – 240V, 50/60Hz AC Power Consumption: 35W (Standby: 0.5W in Energy Efficient Mode) Dimensions: 16.8 x 12.2 x 3.1 inches (430mm x 311mm x 79mm) Mass: 10.8 lbs (4.9kg) Operating Temperature 41°F - 95°F 5°C - 35°C Operating Humidity 15% - 75% No condensation Parts & Labor Warranty 2 Years All trademarks are the property of their respective owners