LATEST ADDITIONS

Audio Video News
‘Powered By Napster’ Streaming Platform Adds MQA
SV Staff  |  May 06, 2019
Rhapsody International today announced a global agreement with U.K.-based MQA that brings Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) audio quality to its Powered By Napster music streaming platform.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
NAD C 658 Streaming DAC Now Due Out in June
SV Staff  |  May 06, 2019
NAD today announced that shipment of the C 658 BluOS Streaming DAC it previewed last fall has been delayed until early June to coincide with the availability of Dirac Live speaker setup/room-correction software from Sweden’s Dirac Research.
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Grace Notes
What's Hip? Hands On with Denon's DP-450USB USB Turntable
Leslie Shapiro  |  May 06, 2019
I’ve always wanted to be a hipster. However, the reality is that I’m too curvy for skinny jeans, I like having brakes and gears on my bicycle, and I prefer Nespresso’s convenience to single-origin third wave pour-over coffee. And while I appreciate vinyl, I equally appreciate the convenience and portability of digital music files. How do I get my music both ways? With the Denon DP-450USB turntable that easily creates WAV or MP3 files from my beloved vinyl collection, I can get my music however I want. Totally hip.

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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Bumblebee
Roger Kanno  |  May 03, 2019
Picture
Sound
Extras
Bumblebee is the sixth entry in the live-action Transformers franchise, but for much of this film, the title character is the only robot that appears onscreen. Directed by Travis Knight, who previously directed Kubo and the Two Strings, it has its share of action scenes, but also makes an effort to be character-driven by exploring the relationship between Bumblebee and the teenage girl who discovers him, Charlie. Set on Earth in the 1980s, Bumblebee can be a little predictable and even a bit corny at times, but nonetheless remains thoroughly enjoyable throughout.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Anthem Updates ARC Room-Correction Software
SV Staff  |  May 03, 2019
Anthem Electronics today announced the release of an updated version of its proprietary Anthem Room Correction (ARC) software.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
AudioControl Introduces Versatile 4-Channel Amplifier
SV Staff  |  May 03, 2019
AudioControl has introduced a versatile power amplifier that can be easily configured for two-, three-, or four-channel operation.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Denon Updates Entry-Level S Series AV Receivers
SV Staff  |  May 02, 2019
Denon has updated its entry-level S Series of AV receivers with models that support all three of the leading voice platforms — Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri — in addition to wireless multiroom streaming via AirPlay 2 and Denon’s app-based Heos platform, Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR), and many other features.
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Ask S&V
Can I Use Back Surround Speakers If My Couch Is Against the Wall?
Al Griffin  |  May 02, 2019
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’ve got a smallish 10 x 12-foot viewing room. The room’s size isn’t necessarily a problem, but the seating is a modular couch set all the way against the back wall. Can I get any value out of in-wall surrounds right behind or beside the seating? —Robert Greenwalt, via email

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Blu-ray Player Reviews
Pioneer UDP-LX500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player Review
Kris Deering  |  May 01, 2019

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $1,099

AT A GLANCE
Plus
High-quality HDR to SDR conversion
SACD and DVD-Audio disc support
Detailed Info screen
Minus
No streaming apps or wireless connectivity
Somewhat tedious user interface
Occasional playback glitches

THE VERDICT
The UDP-LX500's universal disc support, high-quality onboard HDR tone mapping, and formidable build quality make it a welcome addition to the Ultra HD Blu-ray player scene.

It has now been a full year since Oppo Digital ceased production of its popular Ultra HD Blu-ray player lineup. Up until that point, Oppo was one of the few high- performance player options in a market concentrated on budget models packed with streaming features. We've since seen a few companies step up to fill the high-end player void, among them Pioneer, a company that produced numerous reference-level players back in the regular Blu-ray and DVD days. Pioneer's new offering, the UDP-LX500, is a universal disc player that supports playback of SACD and DVD-Audio discs. As you might expect, it sports both the Pioneer Elite logo and the high-end look and build associated with that iconic badge. At $1,099, it certainly has flagship pricing, so let's see if it measures up.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
EliteProAV Announces New Ambient-Light-Rejecting Screen Options
SV Staff  |  May 01, 2019
EliteProAV, a division of Elite Screens, has announced that its Saker Tab-Tension retractable electric projection screen is now available with material designed to counter the “wash out” effect of ambient light.
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