Transparent Audio Opens Online store for Direct to Consumer Purchasing

Transparent Audio has opened an online store, offering customers online access to its HDMI cables, speaker cables, power cords, surge protectors and more. Transparent says select products will only be available through Transparent dealers.

You can read more about Transparent Audio's new online store initiative at CEPro.

Review: Lamm Industries ML3 Signature monoblock power amplifier

How good do the $139,490/pair Lamm Industries ML3 Signature Monoblock Power Amplifiers sound?   Michel Fremmer of Stereophile takes the amps for a spin and declares, "Cost and value for money aside, the Lamm Industries ML3 Signature is among a handful of the most pleasurable-sounding amplifiers I've ever heard. They produced magic with every listen, without glossing over or homogenizing the faults of poor recordings. While sounding as good as they probably ever will, those recordings still sounded bad-but great recordings were flat-out overwhelming."  

Are they really that good?  Judge for yourself and read Michael Fremmer's full review in Stereophile.  

Sony has introduced a range of high-resolution audio products targeted at both the casual consumer and the audiophile alike. The eight products include two hi-res music players, a DAC for PC audio, two speakers and three headphones.

The eight new products that Sony has launched are:

Sony HAP-Z1ES 1TB High Res Music Player

Sony HAP-Z1ES 1TB Hi-Res HDD Music Player

• Stores, plays back and decodes virtually all Hi-Res audio formats 
• Built-in 1TB hard drive with expandable storage 
• Front panel LCD and HDD Audio Remote mobile app (Android and iOS) for browsing and playback 
• Supports virtually all Hi-Res formats including: PCM (44.1kHz/ 48kHz/ 88.2kHz/ 96kHz/ 176.4kHz /192kHz in 24 bit depth); DSD (DSF, DSDIFF); MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, ATRAC, ATRAC ADVANCED LOSSLESS, AIFF 
• DSD Re-mastering Engine upscale music files to DSD(5.6) quality 
• DSEE restores missing data from compressed files 
• HAP Music Transfer software compatible with both Windows and Mac computers for automatic copy of music files to HDD when new files are added on computer 
• Available Fall 2013 for $1,999 in silver

Sony HAP-S1 Hi-Res Music Player System

• Stores, plays back and decodes virtually all Hi-Res audio formats 
• Built-in 500GB hard drive with expandable storage 
• Front panel LCD and Mobile apps (Android and iOS) for browsing and playback 
• 2-channel Class AB amplifier (40 Watts x 2) 
• Supports virtually all Hi-Res formats including: PCM (44.1kHz/ 48kHz/ 88.2kHz/ 96kHz/ 176.4kHz /192kHz in 24 bit depth); DSD (DSF, DSDIFF); MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, ATRAC, ATRAC ADVANCED LOSSLESS, AIFF 
• DSD Re-mastering Engine upscale music files to DSD(5.6) quality 
• DSEE restores missing data from compressed files 
• HAP Music Transfer software compatible with both Windows and Mac computers for automatic copy of music files to HDD when new files are added on computer 
• Available Fall 2013 for $999 in black or silver

Sony UDA-1 USB Hi-Res DAC System for PC Audio

• Allows enjoyment of Hi-Res music as well as conventional compressed music restored by DSEE technology 
• 2-channel 20 amplifier (20 Watts x 2) 
• Supports virtually all Hi-Res formats including PCM (44.1kHz/ 48kHz/ 88.2kHz/ 96kHz/ 176.4kHz /192kHz in 24 bit depth); DSD (DSF, DSDIFF); MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, ATRAC, ATRAC ADVANCED LOSSLESS, AIFF  Compatible with virtually every PC music player application, including iTunes, Windows Media Player, KORG Audio Gate, and Media Go 
• USB connectivity to PC (USB-A x 1 and USB-B x 1) 
• Multiple connection terminals include Optical in, Coax in, and Analog RCA in, with RCA analog out and Headphone out 
• Available Fall 2013 for $799 in black or silver

Sony SS-HA1 Hi-Res Speaker

• Wide Dispersion (WD) W-Super Tweeter complements high band energy for high resolution music sources 
• Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) fiber for supremely light and extraordinarily rigid woofer cones, producing exception musical transients that are clear and with minimal distortion  Baffle shape for diffraction effect reduction 
• Rigid aluminum body for optimized sound 
•  Available Fall 2013 for $599 / pair in black

Sony SS-HA3 Hi-Res Speaker

Sony SS-HA3 Hi-Res Speaker

• Wide Dispersion (WD) W-Super Tweeter complements high band energy for high resolution music sources 
• Baffle shape for diffraction effect reduction 
• Rigid aluminum body for optimized sound 
• Available Fall 2013 for $349 / pair in black

Sony MDR-10R Headphones 

• High resolution capable, featuring 40mm driver units that deliver a balanced, highly accurate reproduction of today’s up-front vocals, mid-range details, as well as rich, powerful lows and extended highs 
• High-definition HD driver assures ultra-wideband audio performance extending from 5Hz to 40kHz matching today’s high resolution music sources 
• Designed for hours of comfortable listening, with pressure-relieving ear cushions that provide a supportive, wrap-around feel, as well as a highly effective acoustic seal, further reinforcing the headphones’ powerful sub-bass reproduction 
• Detachable cable provides an innovative design that eliminates friction between cable surfaces and reduces the source of frustrating tangles. A smartphone cable with microphone and remote is also included, to easily switch from music to calls. 
• Available in October for $199.99 in black and white

Sony MDR-10RBT Headphones

• High resolution capable (with wired connection), this Bluetooth® headset brings the same innovative sound processing technologies to music lovers who demand the ultimate in sound quality without wires 
• Incorporating Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the new MDR-10RBT eliminates the cumbersome process of pairing and connecting. Users can simply tap an NFC-enabled smartphone or tablet to the MDR-10RBT Bluetooth® headset to instantly stream high-quality music or crystal-clear phone calls via Bluetooth 
• Stream music wirelessly from iPhones® and iPads® as well as Android™ smartphones and tablets that are not NFC equipped 
• Support AptX and AAC codecs to ensure higher quality sound while streaming wirelessly 
• Up to 18 hours of battery life between charges, though can also be used as standard headphones without the battery 
• Available in November for $249.99 in black

Sony XBA-H3 Ear Bud Headphones

• High resolution capable, featuring dedicated high-definition hybrid three-way driver unit (16mm dynamic driver unit and two Balanced Armature driver units) for music enjoyment throughout all frequencies 
• Driver unit delivers radiant highs and deep, bellowing bass, including even the most subtle musical nuances 
• Rigid, yet responsive Liquid Crystal Polymer Film diaphragm provides the needed rigidity and internal loss for balanced and highly accurate sound reproduction 
• Smartphone cable with microphone and remote is also included, to easily switch from music to calls 
• Available in December for $349.99

Leon Speakers and Salamander Designs Partner for cabinets with built-in speakers

For many audiophiles, Salamander and Leon are both well-known names.  Salamander for their audiophile and home theater cabinetry and Leon for their architectural speakers.  The two have now partnered to bring a unique offering: audiophile speakers pre-built into a cabinet. Salamander and Leon formally unveiled an integrated loudspeaker accessory engineered to fit any of the Synergy and Chameleon cabinets. Co-developed by Leon Speakers, Salamander's new integrated solution elegantly conceals a high performance loudspeaker behind attractive cloth grills within the A/V cabinet, eliminating the need for bulky in-room speakers and unsightly wiring. MSRP's start at $999 and product availability is September, 2013. 

In addition to being custom tailored for each cabinet, the Salamander integrated speaker solutions also come equipped with sturdy brackets that facilitate up-and-down rotation of the loudspeaker to optimize performance for any room or seating solution. Single-wide cabinet bays accommodate a center channel speaker, while double and triple-wide bays offer an LCR (left-center-right) speaker. "We wanted to deliver a solution that looks good and sounds good," explained Salamander president Sal Carrabba. "It seemed completely natural for us to work with Leon on this project-they are a market leader in customizable speakers and a highly respected innovative domestic brand like Salamander," Carrabba added. 

In addition to being custom tailored for each cabinet, the Salamander integrated speaker solutions also come equipped with sturdy brackets that facilitate up-and-down rotation of the loudspeaker to optimize performance for any room or seating solution. Single-wide cabinet bays accommodate a center channel speaker, while double and triple-wide bays offer an LCR (left-center-right) speaker. "We wanted to deliver a solution that looks good and sounds good," explained Salamander president Sal Carrabba. "It seemed completely natural for us to work with Leon on this project-they are a market leader in customizable speakers and a highly respected innovative domestic brand like Salamander," Carrabba added. 

Those attending CEDIA can see the new cabinets at CEDIA Booth 3620

Kaleidescape Announces the Cinema One movie server

Kaleidescape has announced the Cinema One movie server its first product designed for retail distribution. The $3,995 server provides storage and instant access to up to 100 high-definition Blu-ray or 600 DVD-quality movies. Until now, the company made products that were available only through custom installers.

The Cinema One server is covered by a three-year limited warranty and available on kaleidescape.com as well as through retailers, including Magnolia Design Centers.

You can read more about the Cinema One movie server at Home Theater.

HDMI 2.0 Specification announced with 32 channel audio and 4k (2160p/UltraHD) video support

The 2.0 Specification for HDMI has now been formally announced.  The new HDMI 2.0 specification will support 18Gbps, 4k/2160p video, 32 channels of audio (including simultaneous audio to as many as four different people), 21:9 aspect ratio support, and dual video streams to multiple users on the same display.

You can read more about the HDMI 2.0 Specification at Audioholics.

MartinLogan, the world’s leader in electrostatic speaker technology, proudly announces the slender Motion SLM XL, a step-up larger version of the original Motion SLM. The newest from MartinLogan’s award-winning Motion Series line, the Motion SLM XL features dual four-inch, ultra-slim fiber cone woofers and quad four-inch high-velocity passive bass radiators, paired with a Folded Motion^™ tweeter – all in an ultra-slim profile designed expressly for super-thin TVs.

Read the full release on the Martin Logan Motion SLM.