You Can DIY! The PR-3 - A High-Quality Stereo Preamplifier
For our readers who like to get hands-on with DIY projects, in this article George Ntanavaras describes the design and the construction of his PR-3 stereo analog preamplifier, offering three high-level unbalanced stereo inputs and two unbalanced stereo outputs. Most of the components for this design are contained on a single PCB. This article was originally published in audioXpress, January 2019.
Knowles Releases New Voice Control Development Kit for Smart Home Appliances
Knowles Corporation announced the AISonic White Goods Standard Solution, a new, complete development solution that enables fast and easy voice integration for smart appliances. The development kit enables OEM and ODMs to build voice-activated control and far-field speech recognition capabilities into smart appliances, including refrigerators, ovens and microwaves, clothes washing and drying machines, vacuums, dishwashers, and more.
USB Specification Revision Defines Up to 240W and 48V of Power Delivery Over USB Type-C
The USB Promoter Group announced the release of the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) Revision 3.1 specification, a major update to enable delivering up to 240W of power over the USB Type-C cable and connector. While details of the implementations will need to be detailed, the revision responds to requirements from systems that benefit from USB PD, supporting also up to 48V fixed voltages.
Nordic Launches Apple Find My Network Compatible Software Development Kit
Nordic Semiconductor announced the availability of its Apple Find My network compatible Software Development Kit (SDK). The SDK enables manufacturers and brands to easily build Find My network capable Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) devices that maximize battery performance leveraging Nordic’s nRF52 or nRF53 Series System-on-Chip's (SoC) ultra-low power consumption.
Merging Technologies Introduces Music Recording Software for Anubis AoIP Network Interface
As promised, Merging Technologies expanded the software features of its compact AD/DA converter and audio network recording interface Merging+Anubis. Merging calls its approach to application-oriented software sets "Missions". And following the original Monitor Mission, Merging now introduced Music Mission, a complete set of recording and processing features with a fully-featured low latency mixer and many configuration possibilities.
Kanto Audio Introduces New Bookshelf YU Passive Speakers with Kevlar Woofers and Silk Dome Tweeters
Kanto Audio announced the introduction of its YU Passive 5.25 and YU Passive 4 speakers, two compact models that offer high-performance sound and outstanding value. According to the Canadian company, these new speakers have the same high-quality drivers as the acclaimed Kanto YU6 and YU4 active speakers and are intended to complement new amplifiers and streamers with built-in DACs.
Resonado Labs Welcomes Loudspeaker Legend Benny Danovi as VP of Engineering
Resonado Labs is rapidly growing its US engineering team, and now announced the appointment of Benny Danovi as the new company Vice President of Engineering and Principal Transducer Engineer. In his new role leading the transducer team, Danovi will spearhead the expansion of the company’s proprietary Flat Core Speaker (FCS) technology architecture with a focus on next generation driver designs for automotive and multimedia applications.
House of Marley Launches Newest Active Noise Cancelling Headphones With Positive Vibration XL ANC
The next evolution in the eco-consciously designed Positive Vibration series from House of Marley delivers added features and comfort for an affordable, uninterrupted listening experience. The new Positive Vibration XL ANC over-ear wireless headphones is an upgrade to the popular Positive Vibration XL model, now offering a more premium listening experience featuring active noise cancellation with added comfort and extended battery life.
Rotel Announces MKII Stereo Preamplifiers with Upgraded Audio Circuits and Components
Rotel announced new upgraded MKII versions of two of the companies stereo preamplifiers with the launch of the RC-1590MKII and RC-1572MKII. Both models feature a host of acoustic and performance upgrades with each acoustic circuit having been critically analyzed and significantly improved by leveraging technologies engineered for the award winning Michi series. Both feature a Texas Instruments premium 32-bit/384kHz digital to analog converter (DAC) stage.
McIntosh Announces MB20 Class 1 Bluetooth 5 Transceiver with AAC and aptX HD Support
Many high-end audio manufacturers offer embedded technologies in specific products, such as amplifiers and wireless speakers, that users quickly learn become obsolete sooner or later. As a leading brand in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for over 70 years, McIntosh Laboratory understands that some things are better kept separate. The McIntosh MB20 Bluetooth Transceiver was designed in that spirit. It will also be obsolete eventually, but at a suggested retail price of US $500, that's OK.