Audio Video News

Multitalented Streaming Amp

Technics SA-C600 Streaming CD Receiver: $999

The Technics SA-C600 stands apart in the ever-expanding world of streaming devices as an elegant one-box solution for the music lover who wants easy access to a variety of music sources. Indeed, it offers a perfect solution for old-school audiophiles who want to move into serious hi-res streaming without giving up the ability to easily play beloved CDs collected over the years.

An impressively multitalented device, the C600 mates a top-loading CD/SACD player, hi-res streamer (with MQA support), and well-appointed integrated amp into one surprisingly compact component. It even has a phono stage and an FM tuner. But most important, the C600 delivers impressive sound at a fraction of what you would expect to pay for this level of technology and functionality.

Speaking of technology, Technics’ proprietary Jitter Elimination and Noise-Shaping Optimization (JENO) Engine converts all incoming analog and digital signals into 24-bit/192kHz digital streams, while preserving the “soft textures” of analog sources, before handing them off to the amplifier. Reviewer Howard Kneller summed it up best when he wrote, “If there's a one-box player at any price that delivers more value for the buck, I haven't seen it.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Stellar performance
Full feature package
Small physical footprint
Killer price
Minus
Small, monochrome display
Modest power rating

Full Review Here (posted 11/30/22)

A Flagship In Most Every Way, Except Price

Onkyo TX-NR7100 A/V Receiver: $1,299 (originally $1,099)

Times are a changin’ in the audio world but the classic A/V receiver still holds sway as command central for today’s serious home theater and is a component enthusiasts aren’t about to give up any time soon. Here’s one that offers an embarrassment of riches at a price that’s easy to manage. Though the TX-NR7100 has been in Onkyo’s line for a while, it’s still a current model and remains an impressively featured model for the price with nine amplifier channels, support for all of the major high dynamic range (HDR) formats, and onboard streaming via Chromecast and AirPlay 2 plus direct access to Tidal, Spotify, Pandora, and other popular services. Thanks to those nine active channels, the NR7100 can power a full 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X setup or a theater setup with fewer channels plus one or two remote listening zones.

The NR7100 also supports 4K video at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz and provides a wealth of connections, including six HDMI inputs, in addition to putting a series of sound customization features at your fingertips, including the cutting-edge Dirac Live auto room/speaker correction system (which Dan Kumin covers in great detail in the full review). Our rundown of features, of course, is merely a preview of an AVR that can do most everything you need it to do, except pop your popcorn.

After extensive testing with a sampling of music and movie soundtracks, Kumin confirmed the NR7100’s aural proficiency. The 2017 World War II action flick Dunkirk was a standout. “Every scene sounded (and looked) fabulous via the TX-NR7100 and my new 65-inch Sony OLED TV” with the propulsive Hans Zimmer score and thrilling Spitfire fly-bys dramatically demonstrating the merits of a full-on Atmos setup. Onkyo has delivered a highly capable receiver that does much of what your typical flagship AVR can do but at a fraction of the cost.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Onboard Dirac Live room/speaker correction
Nine amp channels for a full Atmos/DTS:X experience
Multiple HDMI 2.1 connections with 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz support
Minus
Small remote control a bit cramped
Somewhat light-duty casing and speaker outputs

Full Review Here (posted 2/23/22)

Wireless Earbuds to Die For

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds: $249

Shopping for earbuds can be daunting. Too much hype and too many similar looking models to choose from. Let us make it easy for you: Get Apple’s new AirPods Pro. It took Apple three years to release the second generation of its popular AirPods Pro wireless earbuds but it was worth the wait. Apple has stepped up its earbud game. Big time.

Though the new model looks the same as it predecessor, don’t be fooled: The updated ’buds bring improved sound quality thanks to a new driver/amp combo, a more secure yet super comfortable fit, and noise cancellation that can hang with the best full-size travel headphones. There’s also an outstanding Adaptive Transparency mode that delivers on the promise of reducing intrusive noises, while maintaining situational awareness. Sound & Vision editor Mark Henninger found the transparency mode to work so well that he kept it engaged while tooling around Philadelphia on a OneWheel even when he wasn’t listening to music.

Spatial audio with personalization remains a big draw with ear-modeled head-tracking providing a more accurate rendering of Dolby Atmos surround soundtracks, though the feature has to be set up on an iOS device for the best results. The refreshed earbuds also now provide touch-sensitive controls on the stem so you can adjust volume with a simple swipe. Battery life is slightly better than the first-generation Pros — around 6 hours with noise canceling enabled, 7 hours without — with the charging case providing up to 30 hours of playtime with noise cancellation before you need to find a USB charger.

In terms of sound quality, Henninger characterized what he heard as “crystal clear and non-fatiguing. The difference between AirPods Pro 2nd Gen and big cans like my [$995] Audeze LCD-2 closed-back (which uses planar-magnetic technology) is surprisingly slim. The one thing the big cans have over earbuds is sheer power, they can play a lot louder. But cleaner? More precise?” You don’t need to be a full-on Apple user to appreciate the updated AirPods Pro but, if you are, you just might fall in love with them.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Noticeably better active noise cancellation
Improved audio fidelity
Adaptive Transparency
Personalized Spatial Audio for better immersive sound
Touch-sensitive control
Minus
Requires an iPhone to set up
Touch controls occasionally fidgety
Spatial audio with head tracking sometimes lost track of my head
Uses a Lightning connector instead of USB C

Full Review Here (posted 9/22/22)

Coolest Projection Screen Ever

Elite Screens Kestrel Tab-Tension 2 CLR 3 Series Motorized Screen: $2,320

Elite’s Kestral is the perfect gift for the home theater enthusiast who is tired of seeing a big blank screen when the video projector is off. And, yes, this is likely another gift for yourself (and, of course, the family).

The Elite Screens Kestrel is a motorized, remote controllable screen that fully retracts into an inconspicuous case when it’s not in use and rises majestically when it’s movie time. Designed for use with ultra-short-throw (UST) projectors that sit on or near the floor a short distance away from the screen, the Kestral uses special ambient-light rejecting screen material with an optical coating to filter out light coming from above the screen while reflecting light from the projector below. The screen and its supporting structure are very sturdy and super easy to set up, requiring only minutes to install.

Reviewer Al Griffin was surprised by how well the screen performed with a test disc and several movies. “Like other screens designed for use with UST projectors, the Kestrel requires a degree of lighting control for best performance, but once that was taken care of, I was impressed with the image quality I was getting with my room's overhead lights switched on or off.” You have to admit, there’s something magical about a screen appears and disappears from view at the touch of a button.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Screen fully retracts when not in use
IR and RF remote controls
Very good value
Minus
Slight slackness at screen’s bottom edges when extended

Full Review Here (posted 6/16/22)

Sexiest All-in-One Music Wireless System

Sonus Faber Omnia Wireless Speaker System: $1,999

Why settle for a pedestrian wireless music system when you can get Omnia, a striking all-in-one wireless music system from Italy’s Sonus faber that sounds every bit as good as it looks. And you have to admit, it is one of the sexiest pieces of audio gear you will find, borrowing design cues from the brand’s elegantly appointed speakers.

Inside, the Omnia is a four-way, closed-box speaker system that contains seven drivers: Pairs of 0.75-inch silk-dome tweeters and 3-inch midrange drivers fire forward, while a 1.75-inch inverted membrane driver fires from each side; a downward firing 6.5-inch woofer in the bottom of the cabinet delivers the bass. A series of class-D amplifiers drive everything with 490 watts of combined power.

Wireless connectivity options are plentiful and include AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Qualcomm aptX HD Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Wi-Fi. And the Omnia is Roon Ready and multiroom-capable to boot. You control the system with a small remote or via a unique touch-sensitive user interface on its top panel. And, though there is no mobile app, you can use a smartphone or tablet to adjust settings through the company website (accessed via a QR Code). Hardwire options include an ARC-enabled HDMI port, Ethernet port, and a mini-DIN connector that permits the connection of a turntable or line-level analog device via an included RCA adapter.

How’s it sound? Reviewer Howard Kneller had this to say: “In my bedroom, the Omnia produced an enormous soundstage that extended many feet beyond the edges of its cabinet. Within that soundstage, aural images were firmly planted and surrounded by surprisingly generous amounts of air. There was also plenty of detail and deep, articulate low frequencies.” Impressive when you consider everything is housed in a single cabinet 26 inches across, 11 inches deep, and just over 5 inches tall.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Museum-quality aesthetics
Audiophile sound
Feature-packed (DSP, HDMI ARC, phono)
Extensive connectivity
Minus
Placement requires care

Full Review Here (posted 11/16/22)

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