News

May the Web be with you: You'd think that forward-thinking tech-savvy companies such as those involved in high-end audio would be among the first to get how well the Internet works at spreading the word about their products. In nine cases out of ten, you'd be wrong. Companies introduce new products, upgrade old models, and venture into entirely new technologies without ever changing their websites.

Don't count NHT among them, however. The Benecia, CA–based firm has decided to harness the dynamic nature of the Web by creating three new sites dedicated to its multipronged marketing scheme. At www.nhthifi.com, the company will focus on its consumer product line; the Xd DEQX Calibrated speaker corrected system will be the topic at www.nhtxd.com; and BNHT Pro Audio will be the star at www.nhtpro.com. The three sites will offer newly expanded product information, photographs, owner's manuals, product brochures, reviews, and a new warranty registration procedure that promises "enhanced speed and value for the consumer."

In addition to the usual registration data, NHT's new system will ask consumers specific questions aimed at identifying areas in which the company can better serve its customers. All data is stored in encrypted .xml files, and updated nightly to the company's servers, which are continually monitored by NHT to better determine what its customers need in terms of service, support, and new products.

Okay, maybe listening to your customers isn't such a new idea, but kudos to NHT for putting a new wrinkle on a classic.

Denon links up: On May 13, Denon announced that the third edition of its Denon Link digital interface has been officially approved by Sony and Philips for the transfer of Super Audio Compact Disc signals. As a result, the Denon Link 3rd Edition now supports all digital transmissions: CD, SACD, DVD-V, and DVD-A. The AVR-3805 and AVR-5805 currently support the Denon Link 3rd, as will the upcoming AVR-4806 and all future Denon Link receivers and processors.

Denon Link is a digital interface that, according to the press release, "uses high-speed transfer elements made possible with balanced transmission to achieve high-speed, high-grade digital transmission in real time and with negligible signal degradation." Denon Link enables direct transfer of PCM 24-bit, 192kHz digital signals "jitter-free and with high S/N from DVD-Audio, SACD, and other sources featuring high speed and high sound–quality." Not specifically spelled out in the press release, but quite obvious, given the SACD license requirements, is the fact that the SACD signal is not transmitted in the clear, but rather in a protected mode between components.

Some existing Denon products can be upgraded to accommodate the Denon Link 3rd connection—the latest models of the AVR-5803 may even already have it installed, for example. Additionally, the approval permits Denon to offer the Denon Link 3rd on its DVD-5910, DVD-3910, and DVD-5900 universal players, which previously supported Denon Link SE (second edition).

Information on upgrading the DVD-5900, DVD-5910, and DVD-3910 will be available on Denon's website within the next few weeks.

HDCD data base: Reader Thomas Bergman dropped us a line recently to inform us of his HDCD Katalogen website. Bergman discovered that it was surprisingly difficult to locate all of the HDCD titles that were available, so he set out to catalog them himself. That turned into an obsession, apparently—one we fellow audiophiles can benefit from.

Just go to www.hdcd.se and you can discover hundreds of HDCD titles (including issuing label and catalog numbers) in both Swedish and English. As Bergman writes—and proves—"HDCD is very much alive."