amplifiers
Music
If Apple Made Audio Components They Would Look Like The EK Amp
9:00AM Jesus Diaz | The Elekit EK Amp—a vacuum tube hybrid stereo amplifier—was designed by Koichi Futatsumata, but it could have been designed by Jon Ive or Dieter Rams himself. Simple, pure lines and most probably out of my price range. More »
Random Stuff
Feedback
9:20AM Jason Chen | This round goes to you, Zak McFlimby. [b3ta via Boing Boing Gadgets] More »
Toys
Almost Identical Fender Amp Replica Constructed Out of Old, Unmodified Lego Pieces
10:30AM Andi Wang | Using an old bin of Lego bricks that hadn’t been touched in 15 years, Dave Chatterson constructed this Lego amplifier—a replica of a Fender Princeton Reverb amp—in under a week. More »
Music
A PMP This Ugly and Expensive Had Better Sound Amazing
1:35PM Dan Nosowitz | But I think we’re clear on the sound quality front. The HifiMAN HM-801 is a digital audio player, yes, but its modular design allows for a portable amp to be popped right inside. More »
Entertainment
Denon’s Latest Receiver Line Starts at $350, Loves iPods and HDMI
4:30AM Mark Wilson | Denon has refreshed their complete line of receivers, meaning that you can read the press release below to discern the precise discrepancies between the 9 new/updated models. What I find notable is what’s become standard in the line: USB iPod connectivity, analog-to-HDMI conversion, and Dolby Pro Logic IIz decoding (which adds front height channels). Also, their base AVR-590 ($US350, pictured here) includes a respectable 3 HDMI inputs. Look for the models to roll out from now into the summer. More »
Music
McIntosh Celebrates its 60th Anniversary, Blasts Tube Amps Into the 21st Century
9:40AM Gizmodo US Edition | Audiophiles across the world have their minds blown as McIntosh upgrades two classic home audio components in the “Classic Systems” limited release. I’d be more excited if I had $US15,000 to blow on audio equipment. More »
Home
3:15PM Nick Broughall | For those high-end home theatre nuts out there (you know who you are) who were lusting after Yamaha’s 11.2 channel RX-Z11 audio receiver but lacked the funding to add it to your movie den, Yammy has an early Christmas present for you.
Their new RX-Z7 draws inspiration from the flagship Z11, from its design to its feature set. There are five Version 1.3 HDMI inputs and dual HDMI outputs (for those of you with both a TV and a projector), and it will decode all those fancy new lossless audio codecs as well.
Previous Yamaha receiver users will be enamoured by the new GUI menu for customising settings on your screen, while the ethernet port means that you can now control your receiver over your home network on PDA devices or your iPhone.
There are countless, audio enhancement settings and multi-room settings, which you will probably never explore unless you’re one of those people we were talking about before. It’s also a green little receiver (or as green as receivers can be), consuming just 0.1 watts of energy when in standby.
It’ll hit shelves in November for an RRP of $3,999, which includes Yamaha’s YDS-11 iPod dock.
[YamahaMusic]
More »
Yamaha’s RX-Z7 Receiver Brings High-End Back To Reality
3:15PM Nick Broughall | For those high-end home theatre nuts out there (you know who you are) who were lusting after Yamaha’s 11.2 channel RX-Z11 audio receiver but lacked the funding to add it to your movie den, Yammy has an early Christmas present for you.
Their new RX-Z7 draws inspiration from the flagship Z11, from its design to its feature set. There are five Version 1.3 HDMI inputs and dual HDMI outputs (for those of you with both a TV and a projector), and it will decode all those fancy new lossless audio codecs as well.
Previous Yamaha receiver users will be enamoured by the new GUI menu for customising settings on your screen, while the ethernet port means that you can now control your receiver over your home network on PDA devices or your iPhone.
There are countless, audio enhancement settings and multi-room settings, which you will probably never explore unless you’re one of those people we were talking about before. It’s also a green little receiver (or as green as receivers can be), consuming just 0.1 watts of energy when in standby.
It’ll hit shelves in November for an RRP of $3,999, which includes Yamaha’s YDS-11 iPod dock.
[YamahaMusic]
More »
Gadgets
20-Watt Beer Sound Amplifier Makes Perfect Sense, Really
7:20AM Jesus Diaz | Beer + music + electricity = Ultragoodness. You can’t go wrong with that formula and this do-it-yourself 20-watt Heineken Draught Keg Guitar Amplifier hits all the right chords perfectly. For $US119, and looking this good, it’s the perfect present for any drunk guy who loves beer, music, and whose birthday is just around the corner. Yes, that would be me. More »
Design
Sony’s Bravia Theatre RHT-G500 3.1-Channel Hi-Fi is a TV Stand Too
6:08PM Kit Eaton | Stand your precious new HDTV on a simple, old-fashioned plank of wood? No, that’s way too low-tech… or at least you might think so after seeing Sony’s RHT-G500. It’s an “invisible home cinema” TV stand. “A TV stand with a product code?” you might ask. Yes. And an integrated 3.1-channel audio system with S-Force PRO Front Surround technology, HDMI inputs with pass-through, a special PMP connector, and both Bluetooth and wi-fi connectivity. And you can stand TVs on it: it’s designed for 32-inch to 40-inch sets. No word on pricing or availability. [Sony Europe via I4U] More »
Gadgets
