CEDIA Expo 2007
Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association

  Linn is debuting their high performance Akurate Music Server ($10,280), claimed by Linn to be the world's best sounding, highest performance music server offering 8 channels of stereo and full bandwidth CD quality playback at CEDIA. With music stored remotely on a standard networked hard drive array (NAS), music lovers can enjoy unlimited storage capacity and peace of mind from a secure, reliable, flexible and upgradeable solution. The Akurate Music Server allows concurrent access by up to 8 users, so is ideal for use in multi-room distributed audio systems. The compact, rack-mountable Akurate Music Server can be controlled by a third party device via RS232 or Ethernet (e.g. AMX or Creston). Linn is also unveiling their new reference-standard source component the Klimax DS. The Klimax DS is the "first authentic hi-fi product to stream digital music over a standard home network" says Linn. In true Linn fashion with 'the source comes first', the Klimax DS sets an ultra-high performance standard by "retrieving more information from the network than any other Digital Music Player" claims Linn. These are indeed bold claims and if Linn's history is any indication, they may have a right to brag. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed many Linn products including their Classic integrated amplifier (here), Kan monitors (here), Katan loudspeaker (here), Sizmik 10.25 subwoofer (here), Sizmik 12.45 subwoofer (here), and Adikt MM cartridge (here).

 

  Video Mount Products (VMP), the mounting systems company of choice for professionals and their customers, launched their new ER-8RSA at CEDIA Expo 2007 that will hold up to 8 Headend receivers. The ER-8RSA is a space saving solution for mounting multiple receivers in Headend Racks. With patent-pending technology, the rack shelf has dividers that adjust left to right and front to back to accommodate all of the industry's most popular receivers. The ER-8RSA includes front and top anti-roll bars as well as both 10-32 and 12-24 rack screws. Additionally, it also touts a sturdy 50 lb weight capacity and sports a durable black powder coat finish.

 

  DTS is highlighting the new components from leading CE brands including Sony, Samsung, Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer, Toshiba and Yamaha that feature DTS-HD Master Audio technology. During the show DTS is holding training sessions and demonstrations open to all attendees. As films, games and music become more interactive and immersive, crystal clear 7.1-channel sound becomes even more essential to the entertainment experience. Underscoring this point are DTS' HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc demonstration discs featuring DTS-HD Master Audio movie and music clips produced in 1080p high definition video. DTS-HD Master Audio is capable of delivering audio that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master and at super high variable bit rates -- 24.5 Mbps on Blu-ray discs and 18.0 Mbps on HD-DVD. This bit stream is so fast and the transfer rate is so high that it can deliver 7.1 audio channels with 24-bit/96kHz sound identical to the original.

 

  Soundcast Systems, a leading provider of revolutionary wireless audio transmission systems, announced Universal AudioCast Transmitter and AmpCast aimed at the custom installer. Both products are designed to offer unique solutions for consumers with custom home theater and audio needs. Universal AudioCast Transmitter (UAT) is a multi-use wireless transmitter utilizing Soundcast's 2.4GHz patented technology, which sends music wirelessly from an audio source to an audio sound system anywhere in the home. Meanwhile, AmpCast is a wireless stereo amplifier/receiver that can be used to drive rear channel speakers for surround sound applications or to power bookshelf speakers in a remote location. Both products will provide uninterrupted wireless audio and are not affected by microwave ovens, cordless phones, 802.11 networks or other devices using the 2.4 GHz band.
We first broke the news on these new offering within our Munich High End Show report earlier this year.

 

  Thiel Audio is celebrating their 30th anniversary and showing their long-awaited CS3.7 loudspeakers ($9900 per pair). Enjoy the Music.com first announced this model way back in October 2006 during our Rocky Mountain Audio Fest coverage. Thiel's award winning CS3.7 floorstanding loudspeaker, only now reaching dealers, was named as an International Consumer Electronics Show Innovations Design and Engineering Awards Honoree for 2007. This 3-way, floor standing loudspeaker utilizes all newly developed drivers. A very high output 1-inch tweeter is coincidently mounted in the center of a 5-inch midrange that incorporates a new ribbed diaphragm geometry. The 10-inch woofer diaphragm geometry increases strength while lowering overall mass for wider bandwidth and higher efficiency. The output of the active woofer is augmented by an auxiliary bass radiator. Complete phase and time coherence output, high sensitivity (90dB/W/m), and low diffraction cabinet design are just a few of the design highlights.
See our review of the Thiel PCS monitor loudspeakers by clicking here.

 

  Tributaries debuted two new ranges of cables, the Series 7 and Series 9, families of interconnects that are suited to the most demanding audio and home-theater systems and installations. Both new Tributaries ranges are offered in families dedicated to video, analog-audio, digital-audio, and digital-video formats. The Series 9 take pride of place as the company's new flagship cables as the finest cables they have created. The Series 7 cables come astonishingly close to equaling Series 9 performance, yet at substantial savings thanks to judicious use of less costly materials in selected, less-critical positions. Every Series 7 and Series 9 cable, excepting the HDMI and optical-digital models, is hand-soldered and hand-assembled at the Tributaries' Florida facility. All feature gold-plated, solid brass connectors with fully gold-plated contacts and connectors, solid-metal covers, and waterproof woven jacketing. The top line Series 9 features 20 AWG OFHC solid copper signal conductor and a 1.25 percent silver-plated 20 AWG, 46-strand OFHC copper return conductor. These are said to deliver world-class signal-transfer with unmatched flexibility and corrosion-free longevity. An OFHC copper braided shield provides 95 percent coverage plus a double-sided copper foil secondary shield with 100 percent coverage enables optimum isolation from outside interference.

 

  Russound, perhaps the number one brand in multi-room audio, had their SUB85 and SUB105 subwoofers ($299 and $499 respectively). Aesthetically-oriented subwoofers to the company's popular Complement lineup, these new amplified models combine elegant cosmetics with customized enclosures that provide room-filling bass. The two new Complement Subwoofers are the 8-inch SUB85 and the 10-inch SUB105. Both are compact, powerful models featuring optimized enclosures, front-firing drivers and 80 and 125 watts RMS into 4 Ohms, respectively. Uniquely, the SUB105 offers a balanced line-level stereo input that connects via conventional CAT-5 cable, using Russound's RNET A/V system. With a balanced connection, audio signals can travel over long distances without suffering from signal degradation and noise. This feature is especially useful in installations where the audio source is remotely located, such as in an equipment cabinet. For the ultimate in connection flexibility, both the SUB105 and SUB85 feature line-level LFE inputs, stereo line-level inputs, and stereo speaker level inputs with pass-through capability. The SUB105 features a front-ported design, and is able to deliver clean +/- 3dB reproduction down to a floor-shaking 45Hz while the SUB85 employs a sealed-box design and features response down to 50Hz. Both models also feature intelligent, energy-conserving electronics with an auto-power mode that initiates amplification immediately upon sensing an audio signal, and puts the system into power-down mode 20 minutes after program material has ended.

 

Click here for main CEDIA Expo 2007 show page.