News

Classé's new player: Classé's new Delta line of components now includes a DVD player. The $6500 CDP-300 plays DVD-V, DVD-A, standard CD, DualDisc, Video-CD, S-VCD, and JPEG picture discs, in addition to those encoded with MP3, WMA, and AAC audio formats.

The CDP-300 employs a slot-loaded transport mechanism, "chosen for its superior disc-handling characteristics, reliability, and control options," according to Classé's press release. The player pays particular attention to the "presence of jitter (time-base distortion) at the point of conversion" through the use of a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) and a sample-rate converter that de-correlates all of the digital signals from the MPEG decoder (video) clock. The result, Classé claims, "is that all digital sources are re-created as 24-bit/192kHz signals and re-clocked before being output to the D/A converters. By attacking jitter at its source, the Classé design team makes great sounding audio possible from a variety of digital formats."

The CDP-300 uses three stereo DACs with 8x filters to convert digital audio to analog. It outputs six channels of analog audio to single-ended format on RCA connectors, although the front left and right channels are also available through balanced XLR connections.

The CDP-300 has a touchscreen control and video preview on its front panel—a feature of particular interest to audiophiles who do not wish to introduce a large-format monitor into their listening rooms. However, for consumers who actually would like to add (or, presumably, improve) home theater capabilities to their systems, Classé points out that the player "utilizes newly developed video processing circuitry, making it the world’s first DVD player to offer a full implementation of all HDTV resolutions." The CDP-300 outputs HDMI digital video at 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

NHT's free Cookies: NHT's monthly newsletter ("News you can use") is almost always a hoot to read, which puts it in a class by itself as audio company opt-ins go. (You'll notice that we modestly aren't comparing it to our own eNewsletter.) This month's mailing, for instance, begins with Dave Barry's observation, "The four building blocks of the universe are fire, water, gravel, and vinyl," and goes on from there.

What really caught our eye, however, was the company's announcement of a new demo disc, NHT Presents: The NHT Xd Sampler, Volume I, "the first in a series of specially produced audio nuggets designed to tempt the listener with outstanding recordings by some of the most talented artists and producers working today."

In the disc's insert, NHT director of sales John Johnsen describes the genesis of the project: "NHT Pro Products Manager Don Bassey and I met [Blue Coast Records producer] Cookie Marenco and her partner Jean-Claude in her Belmont, California recording studio (OTR) on our way to Neil Young's ranch. She gave me a copy of her E.S.E. sample CD. I stuck in my bag. Weeks later at CES 2005 I pulled out this disc and played it on the NHT Xd system. Everyone was blown away. It ended up being played at least 100 times over the four show days. Originally recorded for surround, it was mixed in this two-channel CD version. Imagine that, two-channel music! This is the first of hopefully many musical discoveries we'd like to share with our friends. Enjoy."

So what's better than a new demo disc? A free demo disc, of course. NHT is offering free copies to the first five www.stereophile.com readers who email their names and shipping addresses to sampler@nhtxd.com, which is also the address later respondents can order copies from.

Dynaudio's new Focus: Danish speaker company Dynaudio has updated its Focus range of loudspeakers by introducing four new models designed to reflect the firm's "core values of 'authentic fidelity' with fine craftsmanship, exemplified by exceptional performance and elegant industrial design." There are two stand-mounted two-way monitors, the $1400/pair Focus 110 and the $1800/pair Focus 140; the $3000/pair floorstanding two-and-a-half-way Focus 220; and a center-channel speaker, the $1000 two-way Focus 200 C.

The new Focus models feature Dynaudio's newly developed, proprietary Esotec+ driver design, which boasts features derived from the companys flagship developments, such as the "low-inner-resonance, low-mass, and high-rigidity" MSP (magnesium silicate polymer) material used for the woofer cones. All four speakers also feature large diameter, lightweight aluminum wire voice-coils; specially treated soft-dome tweeter diaphragms; and phase-correct first-order crossover networks.

Dynaudio is clearly chuffed about the Focus series cabinets, which it describes as gently tapered. "The distinctive shape prevents internal resonance, as the side walls are not parallel," according to the press release. "The baffle edges are chamfered at 45 degrees and the slim speaker grille is mounted slightly away from the baffle—both measures effectively reduce undesirable diffraction patterns." All Focus models are available in maple, cherry, rosewood, and black ash natural wood veneer finishes.