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Reviews

Rein Audio X-DAC with USB Input

John E. Johnson, Jr.

USB DACs are hot items now because you can play music from your computer through them and into a set of headphones or to your main hi-fi rig. Some of these DACs only have a USB input, (no S/PDIF inputs) because their main purpose is for use with a computer. Of course, all computers come with audio ciruitry on the motherboard, and if you have a sound card installed in one of the PC card slots, it may very well have an S/PDIF output. However, their quality is often questionable due to the typically low cost of the sound card. Rein Audio, a German manufacturer, makes the X-DAC, which is a 24/192 DAC with both coaxial and Toslink optical S/PDIF inputs, but also, it has a USB input (24/96) to be used with your computer, giving you better sound quality than you would get from your computer's audio circuit.

DACs

ZVOX Zbase 555 Speaker System to Place Under Your Flat Panel HDTV Pedestal

Jim Milton

So here is the problem. Actually, there are two problems. Problem one: the new HDTV flat panels are getting thinner and thinner. The speakers inside those panels are also getting thinner and thinner. The sound from those speakers…well...

ZVox comes to the rescue with a powered speaker system that sits underneath the pedestal of your flat panel HDTV. Called the Zbase 555, it retails for only $399.

Center Channel Speakers

PSB Imagine mini-Monitors

Piero Gabucci

For the audiophile world to take seriously a small bookshelf speaker, let alone a "mini"-monitor there has to be some significant backing and/or history. Much has been said and written about the NRC, or National Research Council located in Ottawa, Canada.

Bookshelf Speakers

Integra DTR-80.3 9.2 A/V Receiver

Robert Kozel

The Integra name always makes my short list of leading companies in the receiver and processor market space. While Integra is a premium manufacturer of high-end A/V equipment catering to custom A/V installers, their products offer a great mix of leading-edge technology along with outstanding performance at an attainable price. At CEDIA 2011 this past September, Integra introduced their latest product updates, including the flagship DTR-80.3 receiver, which I cover in this review.

Receivers

Emotiva ERC-2 CD Player

Rick Schmidt

Emotiva continues to occupy an interesting space in the audiophile realm. It is now possible to get an entire two channel or five channel system consisting almost entirely of Emotiva products, CD player or DAC, a preamp, a variety of amplifiers from one to five channels, a pre-pro on the way and interconnects. The Emotiva ERC-2 is a two-channel CD player with balanced outputs for low noise transfer between the CD player and your preamplifier. At $449, this is a player to reckon with.

CD Players

Sony VPL-VW95ES 3D Projector

Chris Heinonen

With the shift from CRTs to flat panel and projection displays, Sony has had to find something to replace the veritable Trinitron that was a symbol of excellence for so many years. Their proprietary version of Liquid Crystal on Silicon, SXRD, has been their high-end technology, appearing in products their Qualia reference line, to the first home 4K projector this year, and in the VPL-VW95ES reviewed here.

Projectors

Paradigm SUB 1 Subwoofer

Chris Heinonen

One can never be too rich, too good looking, or have too much bass. The first two axioms are ones that unfortunately I cannot test out myself, but the third is one that I am willing to get a shot. For years Paradigm has delivered some award winning, room rattling subwoofers. The SUB 2 is their most powerful subwoofer, and the SUB 1 isn't far behind. In fact, either one of these top notch subs can blow you out of the room.

Subwoofers

Classe CP-800 Stereo Preamplifier

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Classé's new CP-800 is a high performance ("High-End") stereo preamplifier, but it is not just yet another preamp with minor changes from previous models. This one has the option of switching in some DSP that adds several EQ bands and dedicated stereo subwoofer outputs. If you don't use the DSP, it's not in the signal path, and you can still call yourself a "purist" audiophile. Have no doubts; this is a very unique product, and the performance is stellar.

Preamplifiers

Emotiva X-Ref 12 Subwoofer

Ross Jones

Emotiva is a U.S. based Internet-direct manufacturer, known primarily for their high-power solid-state amplifiers. However, Emotiva makes other products, including three different lines of speakers, and several subwoofers. In this case, we review the X-Ref subwoofer, which has a 12" driver and 600 watts of amplifier power, all at a very reasonable price.

Subwoofers

JVC X30 1080p Three-Chip D-ILA 3D Projector

Chris Heinonen

After moving last fall, I finally had space for a projection setup and ordered a screen for my basement. When I started to look for a projector for my new home theater, the first recommendation from people was almost always JVC. The JVC X30 is a three-chip D-ILA projector that has 4K resolution for the future, but for now, it is considered a full 1920x1080p projector. I has an incredible contrast ratio for gorgeous blacks, and is 3D capable. It's $1,000 less than it was last year, and they have added memory for lens settings (zoom) so you can have the image at the appropriate size if you are viewing 2.35:1 vs. 2:1, etc.

Projectors

Cambridge 751BD Universal 3D Blu-ray Player

Chris Heinonen

In a bit of a surprise, the Universal Blu-ray player market has gone through a big upswing recently. While DVD-Audio and SACD might be considered dead audio formats to the mainstream media, more and more players for home are including support for them now. One fairly recent addition to the group is the Cambridge Audio 751BD Audiophile Blu-ray player. It also supports 3D Blu-ray, and I was quite excited to have the chance to try out this unit myself.

Blu-ray Players

SOTA Nova Turntable

Jim Clements

SOTA is a turntable manufacturer headquartered in the Chicago area. They have been around for more than 30 years. SOTA's current management team of Kirk and Donna Bodinet took over the manufacturing and servicing operation in 1997. They manufacture a total of nine turntable models as well as a very popular LP Cleaning Machine. The model under review here is the Nova.

TurntablesTurntables