Sep 10

Raspberry Pi gets audiophile credentials thanks to RaspyFi Linux distro

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Raspberry Pi gets audiophile credentials thanks to RaspyFi Linux distro

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.

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Source: RaspbyFi

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Sep 05

Sony Walkman F886 offers hi-res audio, 32GB storage, full Android 4.1 for £250

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Sony Walkman F886 offers hires audio, 32GB storage, full Android 41 for 250

Gone are the days when you needed a niche media player just to handle hi-res music. Phones and tablets are already starting to support higher bit-rate standards and Sony has just announced that its latest Walkman does too. The Walkman F886 handles WAV, AIFF, FLAC and ALAC playback up to 192KHz/24-bit and sports an “S-Master” digital amplifier that Sony claims has been customized for precisely these sorts of files. The F886 also houses a 4-inch Triluminos (854 x 480) display, which should do slightly more justice to Android 4.1 (with full Google Play access) than last year’s smaller F800. Sony conveniently glosses over the impact that playing 192KHz tracks will have on battery life, and how few of those files will actually fit on the 32GB of onboard storage (with no microSD expansion), but the company does promise 26 hours of playback of more reasonable 96KHz files on a single charge. Just bear in mind that, at around 1GB per hour of 96KHz/24-bitcontent, your playlist may well expire before your battery does. Expect the F886 to arrive in Europe in October for 319 euros or £249.

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Source: Sony, The Walkman Blogspot

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Apr 30

Marantz – 7.1ch AV amplifier with slim body – “NR1604″

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Marantz - 7.1ch AV amplifier with slim body - "NR1604"

Marantz will release a new 7.1ch AV amplifier model “NR1604″ in late May.

The amplifier has slim dimensions at 440 x 367 x 105 mm and has a discrete power amplifier rated output 50W × 7ch (8Ω), maximum output of 100W × 7ch (6Ω).

It supports DLNA, FLAC / WAV files up to 24bit/192kHz and Apple Lossless support up to 24bit/96kHz. Also available is “2 M-DAX” through which you can play compressed music files MP3, WMA, such as AAC. USB and smart device connection is possible through the front.

It also supports AirPlay to play music wirelessly through a PC or iPhone and Internet radio. M-XPort “RX101″ to connect Bluetooth receiver is sold separately.

There are a total of 7 HDMI inputs in the system, 1 in front, 6 in the back and it can also be scaled up to output 4K, and 4K video pass-through (3,840 × 2,160 dots).

Price: 84,000
Color: Black

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Apr 24

Pioneer – 2 audio amplifier models “VSA-1123″ and “VSA-823″ – Support for 4K, Airplay, and MHL

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Pioneer - 2 audio amplifier models "VSA-1123" and "VSA-823" - Support for 4K, Airplay, and MHL

Pioneer is releasing 2 audio amplifier models: VSA-1123 and VSA-823. Responding to the increased demand for 4K compliant products, these new audio amplifiers are compatible with 4K.

Regarding maximum output power, VSA-1123 is 180W/ch and VSA-823 is 160W/ch. VSA-1123 has 8 input/2 output HDMI terminals and VSA-823 has 6 input/1 output.

They are compatible with high-resolution audio types such as WAV, FLAC, AIDD and Apple Lossless, and feature Airplay, MHL and USB connections.

Through a dedicated application, the amplifiers can be controlled through iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

VSA-1123
Price: 88,000 yen
Size: 435 × 168 × 362.5mm
Weight: 9.8kg

VSA-823
Price: 56,000 yen
Size: 435 × 168 × 331.5mm
Weight: 8.6kg

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