Hasta La Gadget!

Neil Young has been talking up his forthcoming high-fidelity music service and music player for a few years. That service and the player will now be launching via Kickstarter and it is called PonoMusic. That is a horrible name, each time I see it I think PornoMusic and hum bow-chica-wow-wow to myself.

The device, made by Arye, is said to use zero feedback circuits and a digital filter to stop unnatural pre-ringing. I’m no audiophile, so this is Greek to me. I assume that means it sounds really good. The music player will have a substantial 128GB of storage and the triangular design looks really uncomfortable to carry in a pocket, so it’s probably best used in a backpack.

The 128GB of storage should be enough to store 100 to 500 high-resolution albums. Storage expansion is possible using memory cards. The high-resolution music service promises tracks from top labels and independent labels. The PonoPlayer (bow-chica-wow-wow) will sell for $399(USD), but the price will be discounted for pre-orders.

Young is launching the triangular player on Kickstarter on March 12.

[via Computer Audiophile]

Wireless speakers still aren’t usually the first choice of those primarily concerned with sound quality, but high-end manufacturer Bang & Olufsen is setting out to change that perception with its latest offering. Announced at the CEDIA conference this week, the company’s new wireless speaker platform promises to deliver 24-bit, uncompressed audio to either a pair of speakers or a full 7.1 surround setup. To do that, the platform employs the WiSA open standard, which operates in the 5.2-5.8 GHz range, along with some more proprietary tech from B&O and Summit Semiconductor. The end result of that, the company says, is not only speakers that provide a “second-to-none multi-channel wireless experience,” but ones that are compatible with any WiSA-compliant device. The company isn’t quite ready to show off any new speakers based on the new platform just yet, though; it’s saving that announcement for late October, when a new set of “Immaculate Wireless Sound” speakers is set to debut.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Raspberry Pi and the Raspbmc OS already make a solid combo as a media center, but if you encounter music-related limitations then it may be worth giving the RaspyFi distro (v1.0) a shot instead. In addition to supporting Apple AirPlay and a range of lossless file types, this audio-centric form of Linux also works with a long list of external USB DACs, including asynchronous playback, so you can avoid relying your Pi’s tiny stock DAC and amplifier. RaspyFi’s other big feature is that it comes with its own web-based UI (shown in the video after the break), which ought to make it easy to control playback of both local and streamed content (such as web radio or Spotify) from virtually any browser-equipped device on your network. A quick health warning, though: audiophilia is a slippery slope that may subsequently cause you to develop an unhealthy suspicion towards your Pi’s standard power supply.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Networking

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Source: RaspbyFi

NuForce has been pumping out high end audio gear for the digitally inclined for years, and its latest effort is the Icon DAC and amp for Android, Mac and PC. It shares the same aluminum construction as the Icon iDo amp aimed at iDevice owners that was released in 2011. However, the latest Icon adds a few new features. While it still has analog RCA and digital coax output, the new model offers RCA and 3.5mm analog input as well as a USB connection for pulling in audio. Additionally, it can drive 600-ohm headphones thanks to its 8V output amp, and its DAC supports sampling rates up to 96kHz, 32 bits of resolution and direct stream digital decoding. It’s available now for $325 for folks with Windows 7 or 8 PCs, Macs and Android devices running 4.1.1 or higher.

Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment, HD

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V-MODA has unveiled its incredible eye-candy VAMP VERZA audio amplifier and Metallo case, both of which can be combined to create an awesome portable audio system sure to appeal to the audiophiles among us. The Metallo case is currently available for the Samsung Galaxy S III, but a case for the Galaxy S IV, which will be launched tomorrow in NYC, will be available soon. We have a gallery after the break.

The VAMP VERZA amp received its beautiful design in Italy, and was constructed in Japan. The device is compatible with the VERZADOCK, and is a Hi-Fi 150mW x2 (USB Mode) and 130mW x2 (iOS Mode) amplifier with a 2200mAh battery, which gives users up to 7 hours of playback. There are 2 dedicated DACs, 6-layer PCB, 3 enhancement modes, a bass enhancer, pure audio, optical audio output, a variable gain switch, and a rotary volume control.

The Metallo case, meanwhile, is made of V-ANGLE lightweight machined metal, and offers substantial protection for your handset. It has an interchangeable VERZADOCK plate, as well as a sliding lock mechanism. The case is compatible with the VERZA amplifier, allowing the use to create a portable audio powerhouse.

Says V-MODA’s Chief Visionary Office Val Kolton, “For the avid audiophile, VAMP VERZA supplements the poor audio quality produced by smartphones and delivers the purest fidelity imaginable. We shrank the analog-age component spirit into a sleek, spy-like multifunction gadget that is portable enough to use anytime, anywhere. When you combine VAMP VERZA, Metallo, M-100, and the new Samsung Galaxy S III/S IV, Note or iPhone 5, you achieve the ultimate technology trifecta that truly stands apart from the crowd.”

The amp can be used independently or in conjunction with the Metallo case. The case will be available for the Galaxy S III, Galaxy S IV, Samsung Note II, and iPhone 5 for $101. The VAMP VERZA, meanwhile, will be available in matte black, Shadow (red and black brushed metal), and white with orange accents for $598. They’re available for pre-order now from V-MODA.

V-MODA unveils VAMP VERZA amp and Metallo smartphone case for audiophiles is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
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