Onkyo Japan have announced [pdf link] new entry-level versions of their HDC-1.0 Audio PC. The new range now takes advantage of Intel’s Atom 230 1.6GHz processor, paired with 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard-drive, DVD burner and six USB 2.0 ports. However there are several missing features compared to the full HDC-1.0 system, of which the most noticeable is the integrated audiophile amplifier.
Three versions are available, ranging from the HDC-1L which simply includes the desktop PC, Windows XP and Onkyo’s own software suite, through the HDC-1LGX with two 15W speakers, to the HDC-1LGX/19W1 which adds a 19-inch 1,440 x 900 LCD display. The original had a dedicated amp with PCM1792 digital to analog convertor, plus analog, digital coaxial, optical inputs and outputs and a DVI output supporting HDCP.
Still, you’ll save considerably. While the original Audio PC retailed at around 200,000 yen ($2,149), the range now starts at just 59,800 yen ($643).
[via Akihabara]
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Written by Chris Davies on December 2nd, 2008 with comments disabled.
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In case you’re on the hunt for a totally unique MP3 player, then you might want to consider the Creative Zen Moo MP3 Player. Yes, you read that right. These little MP3 players are designed in the shape of a cow and are feature-filled.
You have two options when it comes to the Zen Moo MP3 Players. There’s the Moo and the Moo Plus. That’s not even a joke. Both styles come in four different colors: pink, red, white and yellow. The Moo Plus, however, sports a few extra features like an integrated speaker, FM radio, voice recorder and OLED screen. It also has a game built-in that you can control by means of the cow’s horns.
The Moo model, on the other hand, just plays back music. Both, however, are equipped with 2GB and support both WMA and MP3 formats. Unfortunately, the Creative Zen Moo MP3 Players will not be available in the US or any of the western world, for that matter, though you will be able to get it in China.
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Written by Brenda Stokes on November 21st, 2008 with no comments.
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Bang & Olufsen have officially announced the BeoSound 5, a digital music system intended to bridge the gap between the company’s high-end hifi systems and music stored digitally. The main interface is the BeoSound 5 controller, a 2.65kg table-top or wall-mounted remote dominated by a 10.4-inch 1024 x 768 LCD and an aluminium scroll wheel. Providing the power is the BeoControl 5, a 500GB music server with internet connections. The whole system runs MOTS (More Of The Same), B&O’s new intelligent playlist system.
MOTS analyses tracks by rhythm, syncopation, key tonality and vocal harmonies, and creates automatic playlists that evolve as you choose music and add to the list. It’s impossible to tell without experiencing the system how well this works, but B&O apparently have at least two patents pending.
Music is stored in lossless formats, with connections on the BeoMaster including B&O MasterLink, IR input, analog line-out, S/PDIF output, DVI-I, DVI-D (for the controller), YPbPr, S-Video, Composite video, three USB 2.0 ports (one for the controller) and ethernet. It runs Windows XP Embedded. Meanwhile the BeoSound 5 controller itself has power, USB and HDMI/DVI connections.
Supported formats include WMA, WMA Lossless, MP3, WAV, ASF and AAC, together with internet radio streams in WMA, MP3, ASX and M3U. It will also show video in MPEG, MPE, MPG, AVI, WMV and VFW formats. 500GB is enough room for over 28,000 songs stored losslessly.
The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 5 system - including controller and server - will be available from March 2009, priced at around £3,500 ($5,377).
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Written by Chris Davies on November 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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As we move into the future, more and more people are looking to the past for ideas. Especially when it comes to the form factor for some bits of technology. Let’s face it: some gadgets of the past looked pretty cool. That’s what Teac has in mind with the LP-R500 audio system.
The LP-R500 sports quite a few bits of support for older formats. For instance, there is a cassette player, a record player and an FM radio. You can definitely pour over your old collections and actually enjoy them again with this system.
More modern features include a CD recorder. This means you can play music and record music off of your vinyl records and cassette tapes onto CD. That’s where the real innovation comes into play. Built-in speakers finish off the deal. Though currently only available in Japan, the Teac LP-R500 would cost about $567, which seems like too much to me.
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Written by Brenda Stokes on November 6th, 2008 with no comments.
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Sonos have released their first official app for the iPhone and iPod touch, which adds controller functionality to the touchscreen devices and allows them to manage the company’s networked audio players. The software, which is a free download through the AppStore, brings not only the full functionality from the official Sonos controller but adds touch-control and text-driven media searching.
Full multi-room control is possible, with menu options for playing the same or different music in each zone, as well as silencing them all with a single touch, and there’s also Napster and Rhapsody access. Pandora custom internet radio has also been added, together with fifteen thousand radio stations and Last.fm integration in the new system firmware (version 2.7).
Since the Apple devices lack the proprietary wireless networking that Sonos uses, the iPhone or iPod touch relies on your home WiFi to connect to the Sonos system. The software should be available on the AppStore today; if these photos from Engadget have whet your appetite you can see a video demo here. As for the new firmware, v2.7, it’s also available today for all Sonos users.
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Written by Chris Davies on October 28th, 2008 with no comments.
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Sony makes us busy with their new Hi-Fi System that is able to function as a turntable for your MP3 player or iPod. Dubbed as the Sony LBT-D2ji, this Hi-Fi system also allows you to record your mix via USB connectivity to save onto your PC. Sadly, there is no word on pricing or availability at this time. [ElectricPig]
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Written by Johan on October 17th, 2008 with no comments.
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Since vinyl purists are such, well, purists, it comes as no surprise that they favor different needle cartridges depending on the type of music they’re listening to. No problem if you only play, say, jazz, but if you’re also partial to some reggae, string quartet and classic ABBA, that’s a whole lot of switching and tweaking each time. New York audio pros High Water Sound may have the answer: a modified TW-Acoustic Raven AC turntable with four separate, independent arms and cartridges.
The theory is that you can pick the most suitable arm and cartridge (all of which are sourced from different manufacturers, and prized for their individual sound qualities) based on the type of music you’re in the mood for. No more manually swapping heads over, or tweaking equalizer settings to emulate other models.
As ever, the sting is in the price-tag: the modified turntable will cost you around $56,000. Of course, you’re also stuck if you have five favorite cartridges; my advice would be to wait until the eight-arm version comes around, after all it pays to have some room for expansion.
[via Crave]
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Written by Chris Davies on October 16th, 2008 with no comments.
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Sprint have announced another dual-sliding handset, the Samsung Highnote, aimed primarily at music fans. The Highnote slides up to access the standard numeric keypad, or down to reveal a pair of stereo speakers; it also features the same One Click customizable GUI as on the LG Lotus.
Other features are relatively standard - a 2-megapixel camera with video recording and speaker-independent voice recognition is about the height of things - but the Highnote is really all about music. Stereo A2DP Bluetooth support is present, for use with wireless headphones, and memory is expandable via microSD card up to 16GB.
Hands-on, the Highnote is pleasant if not especially outstanding. Sound quality from the built-in speakers is certainly not going to replace your hifi, or even a reasonable pair of standalone powered speakers, but are enough to enjoy a few tracks without resorting to headphones. The show floor was too loud to properly test the speaker-independent voice recognition, but build quality feels fair.
The Samsung Highnote will be available on October 19th, in red or blue, priced at $99.99 with a new two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.
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Written by Chris Davies on September 11th, 2008 with no comments.
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