Rotel
We usually don't believe that old adage about looks being deceiving. More often than not, things are exactly as they appear. So imagine our surprise when we heard about Rotel's new RSDX-02, an all-in-one DVD receiver with a 5.1-channel digital surround amplifier. This sleek component features 80 watts per channel for its five speaker outputs. The RSDX-02 offers Dolby Digital and DTS multichannel decoding; Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6 for two-channel sources; and an All-Channel Stereo mode for evenly spreading the sound. The internal DVD player also plays CD-Rs/-RWs, MP3- and JPEG-encoded CDs, and DVD-Audio discs. The RSDX-02 has coaxial and optical digital audio inputs and wideband component video input/output facilities that allow you to integrate your source components with the newest TVs, including HD-ready sets. This deceptively simple-looking piece is yours for $1,499.
Rotel
(978) 664-3820 www.rotel.com
Mel Tormé, George Shearing—A Vintage Year Mel Tormé, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass—Velvet & Brass
(SACDs, Concord)
Having seen Mel Tormé perform at Carnegie Hall in the last few years of his life, I can vouch for his vocal virtuosity, incredible energy, infectious charm, and ability to toss off a Buddy Rich drum solo. The first of these two hybrid SACD/CD releases captures him with pianist George Shearing live at the Paul Masson Mountain Winery in 1988. On the second, a studio set recorded in 1995, he pairs off with a big band, just a year before the stroke that would end his career.
Primedia has announced The Connected Guide To The Digital Home, the first consumer magazine dedicated entirely to adopting and integrating audio, video, information, telecommunications, security and other personal and home technologies. Formerly known as Audio Video Interiors (AVI), the standard-bearer for the home theater revolution, The Connected Guide To The Digital Home is being introduced as the natural evolution of AVI.
Primedia has announced <I>The Connected Guide To The Digital Home</I>, the first consumer magazine dedicated entirely to adopting and integrating audio, video, information, telecommunications, security, and other personal and home technologies. Formerly known as <I>Audio Video Interiors</I> (<I>AVI</I>), the standard-bearer for the home theater revolution, <I>The Connected Guide To The Digital Home</I> is being introduced as the natural evolution of <I>AVI</I>.
Teac Mixing modern style with classic technology, the Teac SR-L50 table radio was made to stand out. The striking minisystem combines an AM/FM radio, CD player, and stereo speakers in one sleek package measuring 15 1/2 x 8 1/8 x 8 3/8 inches.
Fred Manteghian takes his turn with the <A HREF="/surroundsoundpreampprocessors/1103classe">Classé SSP-60 preamplifier-processor</A> noting that, although built by a Canadian manufacturer, it can hold its own feature for feature with the latest Japanese imports.
If New York is the city that never sleeps, then Las Vegas is his loud, drunk cousin who's keeping him up all night. Add to Sin City's inherent rowdiness the congestion and general sexual frustration of the 100,000+ people attending the annual Consumer Electronics Show, and insomnia becomes less an inconvenience than a benefit.
A big, wide world of LCD televisions is just one of the eye-catching displays at the Philips booth. Connected Planet is the company's umbrella for a broad range of products - like Internet-connected Streamium TVs - that use "wireless, broadband, and mobile-enabling technologies to provide seamless accessibility to entertainment, information, and services."