http://www.ecoustics.com/latest/links Latest links, updated every five minutes http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/receivers/725 When shopping for a receiver, most consumers either get the bargain of the week at $499 or the macho machine at $2,499. But, what about those receivers in the middle, as in $1,499. Not cheap enough for the bargain hunter, not "impressive" enough for the high end. Maybe you should take a second look. At that middle price, you can still get the hot features, but not break the bank. Here, we review Denon's AVR-3310CI which clocks in at 120 watts x 7 and decoded everything, even that new kid on the block . . . height channels. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Sonos_ZonePlayer_S5/4505-6470_7-33788426.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The ZonePlayer S5 shrinks the Sonos streaming music experience down to a compact single-speaker system with great sound, which you can control from any iPhone or iPod Touch. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:34:00 -0500 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/receivers/723 Over the past few years, Class D amps have been gaining in popularity for many reasons including their much smaller size, their incredibly high efficiency, and the much smaller amount of heat that they put off compared to a standard Class A, AB, or B amplifier. More and more high end audio companies such as Rotel, Bel Canto and PS Audio have come out with Class D products that offer high performance in a much smaller form factor than was possible with standard amplifier technologies. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Seagate_FreeAgent_Theater_500GB/4505-6739_7-33775716.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The addition of HDMI output, network streaming, and improved file compatibility makes the Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ media player a better value than its predecessor. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:34:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/hemag/reviews/21367 Ditch the transistors and go tubing with old-fashioned, oh-so-analog vacuum tube audio gear from Peachtree Audio and Fatman. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:18:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/surround-sound-processors/704 The first receiver that I remember having in the house was a classic Marantz model. Unfortunately I was too young back then to realize the quality of that component, or even recognize the name, and at some point that receiver was replaced with a much more generic, mass market model with newer features. I am old enough now to know the impact that the name Marantz has on the A/V community, and just about everyone realizes that it commands respect. Here, we review their new AV8003 A/V processor and MM8003 eight-channel power amplifier. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Logitech_Squeezebox_Radio_black/4505-6470_7-33770452.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The Logitech Squeezebox Radio has an exceptional design, an unmatched variety of streaming music services, and solid sonics, making it the top value pick for Wi-Fi radios. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:15:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Onkyo_HT_RC160/4505-6466_7-33714258.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The Onkyo HT-RC160 has nearly all the same functionality as the similar TX-SR607, for about $100 less, making it one of the best AV receiver values of the year. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:25:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Denon_AVR_790/4505-6466_7-33650445.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The Denon AVR-790 is a fully featured midrange AV receiver with standout upconverted video quality, although it's held back by some subpar design issues and average sound quality. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:34:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/receivers/683 I have to admit, Im a sucker when it comes to having the latest and greatest toys. As my wife can attest, Im always looking for excuses that will allow me to spring for that next upgrade. In recent years, Onkyo has been at the forefront of new A/V receiver technology and features, releasing new models at an almost breakneck pace in order to stay one step ahead of the competition. The TX-SR607 continues that technological advance as the first product in the world to sport Dolby Pro Logic IIz.....The bottom line is this: you need to pay quite a bit more money to dramatically improve upon the performance of the TX-SR607. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/hemag/reviews/21319 You want me to buy more speakers? Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:18:06 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/592518.html Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:14:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Logitech_Anywhere_Mouse_MX/4505-3148_7-33767206.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The Anywhere Mouse MX bears Logitech's multiconnective Unifying receiver and glass-tracking Darkfield laser, but $80 is too much for a portable mouse--especially when the Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 costs half the price for almost the same features. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:08:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/Sony_STR_DN1000/4505-6466_7-33539697.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The Sony STR-DN1000 offers solid sound and basic AV receiver features at a bargain price, but it's not nearly as good as last year's STR-DG920. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:49:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/591799.html Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:51:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/hemag/reviews/21303 "See me, touch me, hear me! Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:53:14 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/591550.html Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:22:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/590557.html Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:31:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/20817 Folks who are deep into Internet media often find they have little choice but to hook up a PC to their home audio or home theater rigs to get to the online streaming media they require—and, while all the technological pieces are readily available, media fans usually have to go throuhg seemingly endless contortions to get things working the way they want. Sherwood is looking to solve that with its new NetBoxx Internet A/V Receiver, which combines all the bells and whistles of a high-end A/V receiver—Dolby TruHD, Dolby DTS-HD, HDMI 1.3, 100 watts of 7.1 sound—with the capability to tap into Internet content from Cinemanow, Amazon Video On Demand, Netflix, Rhapsody, Shoutcast, HuRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:15:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/590314.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:42:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/590272.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:59:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/590224.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:34:00 -0400 http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/590217.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:27:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/receivers/668 The NAD T747 AV Surround Sound Receiver is a 7-channel two zone receiver that is capable of decoding bitstream inputs of all the latest high-resolution audio formats. I like its understated styling a la NAD. The minimalist front panel has a simple two-line VFD display in the center of the panel. The characters on this display are about 3/8 high. This is a major improvement over the super small logos that are commonly found in so many of todays receivers and processors. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/VTech_IS9181_Internet_radio/4505-6470_7-33485088.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The VTech IS9181 Wi-Fi radio has a slick design with a color LCD display, and is currently the best portable option on the market, but it lacks some of the additional streaming audio options found on competitors. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:09:00 -0400