Rotel's newest: Rotel is venturing into the power conditioner market with two new components developed in conjunction with APC (American Power Conversion), a company with a long history in power-protection: the $1599 RLC-1080, which offers internal battery backup, and the $499 RLC-140. Both models offer system protection against spikes, brownouts, over-voltages, and RFI noise. Both also offer protection for coaxial, telephone, and Ethernet hook ups, as well as audible warnings and text displays.The biggest difference between the two Rotel power conditioners is the RLC-1080's internal battery, which provides "pure sinewave power for up to 7.5 minutes with a full load and up to 24 minutes with a half load." That, Rotel says, is plenty of time to shut down the system. If it's not enough of a cushion, consumers can add a second, external battery backup ($699), which extends the system's working time to 70 minutes at full load or 140 minutes at half load—ostensibly time enough to finish most movies.Rotel has also announced two new switch-mode power-supply, class-D amplifiers: the $1499 500W RB-1091 monoblock and the $2499 500Wpc stereo RB-1092. Both amplifiers have analog inputs. Rotel employs Controlled Oscillation Modulation (COM), in which a saw-tooth waveform modulates the analog input to generate a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal, which drives the switching output stage. Rotel claims this offers lower noise and less distortion than designs that employ digital modulation.
The RB-1091 and RB-1092 also boast Multivariable Enhanced Cascade Control (MECC), which achieves low output impedance by placing the output filter within a feedback path. Rotel claims MECC gives its class-D amps high damping factor and flat frequency response across the entire audio band, unlike some class-D designs, which are sensitive to loudspeaker impedance.Rotel touts the advantage of its new amps as high-power output capability with a minimum of chassis height. Both models feature 12V triggers, five-way binding posts, and Neutrik Speakon connectors.Stereovox's X-factor: Stereovox has announced that it has replaced its popular HDVX digital interconnect with the new XV2 ($150/1m; $50/0.5m thereafter). Designer Chris Sommovigo says the XV2 employs new precision processing and has a full metal foil shield beneath its woven shield to "tighten impedance tolerance and decrease leakage." The XV2, like the HDVX, features Sterevox's 4GHz-rated 75 ohm BNCs and the manufacturer's proprietary BNC to RCA adapters. "If you thought HDXV was a giant-killer, XV2 will shock and amaze," Sommovigo opined, "but it's still a stone-cold bargain."
Classé's Reference CD: Classé Audio has added a "reference" CD player to its line: the $6500 CDP-202, which is based on the Canadian manufacturer's CDP-102 flagship player. The CDP-202 shares "common design principles," with the CDP-102 Classé explains, but the CDP-202 employs a greater number of parts and a higher cost-of-parts equation to "contribute to advanced performance along virtually every sonic metric."The CDP-202's left and right balanced analog audio circuits, each employing its own DACs, operate in "true double-balanced" mode—"in other words, each half of the balanced signal is itself converted and handled differentially." Post-conversion filters are precisely matched to tight tolerances.The CDP-202 also offers a single-ended output, which operates independently from the balanced circuitry. The SE circuits have their own DACs and post-conversion filtering.
Krell's Evolutoinary step: Krell has begun shipping several additional components of its Evolution line, which were announced at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The newest components include the $30,000/pair 600W Evolution 600 monoblock power amplifiers; the $15,000 400Wpc Evolution 402 stereo power amplifier; the $10,000 Evolution 505 SACD/CD player; and the $15,000 Evolution 202 stereo preamplifier. All feature Krell's CAST and Current Mode technologies. The ambitious Evolution 505 supports single-layer, dual-layer, and hybrid SACD; CD-R/RW; MP3; and WMA formats. On April 3, the Cleveland Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital opened the Elf Foundation's 46th Room of Magic, a remodeled conference room that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art 40-seat movie theater to allow children being treated at the hospital to watch their favorite DVDs, nature films, and educational material in a "friendly, kid-centric environment that will take them away from the often-sterile atmosphere of a hospital setting."The Elf Foundation was created by Doug Weinstein, who experienced first-hand the anxiety of having a young niece diagnosed and treated for a rare form of cancer and the tedious nature of an extended stay in the hospital. The Foundation has since created nearly 50 of its Rooms of Magic. The Cleveland Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital project was spearheaded by Tim Campbell of Cleveland's A-V Services and ControlWorks LLC, who approached the Foundation and offered his services pro bono. Runco International, Creston, M&K, Stewart Filmscreen, Legacy Audio, Lutron, and UltraLink all donated products and services for the high-def home theater.
At HE2006, Dr. John will perform on Saturday, June 3, in an event to benefit the Elf Foundation.
