The New McIntosh CR106, The Ultimate Solution for Multi-Room Audio

For those who seek uncompromising sound quality throughout their living space, McIntosh introduces the CR106 2-Channel 6-Zone Preamplifier/Audio Matrix. This innovative component combines a high-fidelity preamplifier with a powerful audio matrix, creating a single, elegant solution for distributing the legendary McIntosh sound to multiple rooms.

Advanced Connectivity for Every Source

The CR106 is engineered to be the central hub for a modern audio system, offering extensive connectivity options to accommodate a wide range of sources. Its capabilities include:

• Versatile Inputs: Featuring 4 analog and 4 digital inputs, the CR106 can connect to everything from turntables and CD players to high-resolution digital streamers.

• High-Quality Bluetooth Streaming: Integrated Bluetooth with Qualcomm® aptX™ HD and aptX Adaptive technologies ensures superior sound quality when streaming wirelessly from mobile devices.

• System Expansion with Dante: For large-scale installations, up to five CR106 units can be linked via a Dante® network interface, allowing for system expansion up to an impressive 30 independent audio zones.

• Flexible Zone Outputs: Each of the six primary zones is equipped with two sets of stereo outputs and dedicated subwoofer outputs for complete control over speaker configuration.

Intuitive and Powerful Control

Despite its advanced capabilities, the CR106 is designed for effortless operation. Control is flexible and user-friendly, with several available methods:

• The McIntosh Connect App: The complimentary app for Apple and Android devices provides comprehensive control over all zones. Users can easily select sources, manage volume, adjust EQ settings like bass and treble, and configure subwoofers.

• Custom "Experiences": This feature allows users to save and recall specific settings with a single touch. Create the perfect audio scene for any activity, whether it's a dinner party, a movie night, or casual listening.

• Web and Panel Interfaces: The unit can also be configured and controlled via a web-based interface or the classic, tactile controls on the iconic front panel.
  

Designed for Seamless Integration

The CR106 features a 2U rack-mountable chassis, allowing for a clean and professional installation in an equipment rack. It is designed to integrate perfectly with McIntosh's ecosystem of custom install amplifiers and in-wall/in-ceiling speakers, enabling the creation of a discreet yet powerful audio system that preserves the home's aesthetic.

The Legendary McIntosh Sound, Amplified

The CR106 delivers the unmistakable sound quality that has defined McIntosh for decades. It ensures that every note and nuance is reproduced with stunning clarity, warmth, and power. With the CR106 at its core, any home can be transformed into an audiophile sanctuary, filled with immersive, high-fidelity sound.

To learn more about the CR106 and how it can elevate your home audio experience, contact us (323) 931-8873.

AudioQuest Unveils Braveheart: The New "Bigger, Badder, Better" Speaker Cable

AudioQuest has just pulled the curtain back on its latest masterpiece for audiophiles: the Braveheart ZERO-Tech Speaker Cable. Positioned as a significant upgrade over the popular William Tell model and slotting in as a "junior ThunderBird," Braveheart is engineered with a simple philosophy: be bigger, quieter, and deliver unprecedented performance for the price.

Bigger is Better: More Copper, More Control

At first glance, Braveheart is impressively robust, nearly matching the size of AudioQuest's top-tier Mythical Creature cables. However, its clever design separates the positive and negative conductors into two round constructions, making it surprisingly more flexible and manageable than its predecessors.

But the real story is on the inside. Braveheart boasts nearly a third more Perfect-Surface Copper+ (PSC+) than the William Tell. This increase in high-quality metal delivers tangible benefits:

• More "Torque": The cable better preserves the amplifier's damping factor, providing superior control over speakers, especially those with challenging low-impedance bass frequencies.

• Flatter Frequency Response: The added copper ensures that variations in speaker impedance have less effect on the sound, resulting in a more accurate and neutral tonal balance.

Despite Brave Heart’s appropriately large size, connections to the amp side are made significantly simpler thanks to increased physical flexibility.

Quieter by Design: A Multi-Layered Defense Against Noise

Braveheart introduces a formidable suite of technologies to combat noise and distortion. The larger overall size allows for conductors to be spaced farther apart, reducing magnetic interaction that can blur the sonic image.

The defense system includes:

• Upgraded polypropylene insulation for reduced dielectric noise.

• Multiple, thicker layers of Carbon-Loaded PVC.

• The new addition of Graphene to the noise-dissipation materials.

• 12 times more silver on the drain wires for dramatically improved RF-Noise Dissipation.

Signature AudioQuest Technologies

Braveheart is built on a foundation of AudioQuest's most effective and exclusive technologies, including the revolutionary ZERO-Tech. By eliminating the characteristic-impedance mismatch between the cable, amplifier, and speaker, ZERO-Tech allows power to flow unencumbered, presenting music with a stunning "out of nowhere" quality.

This is complemented by other classic features like the 72v Dielectric-Bias System (DBS), solid-core direction-controlled conductors, and cold-welded connections using pure Red Copper spades or bananas.

Pricing and Availability

AudioQuest has delivered on its promise of creating a cable that is "Bigger, Badder, Better" than anything offered at this price before. Braveheart is available now for preorder and is expected to ship by the end of August.

• $4,990 / 8ft pair

• $5,790 / 10ft pair

• (Custom lengths available with choice of banana or spade connectors)

The synergy of these advanced materials and technologies makes Braveheart a truly compelling option for any serious audiophile looking to make a substantial upgrade to their system's performance.

madVR is Reinventing Subtitle Display with a new feature called DSO!

Subtitles are more popular than ever. They are no longer just for hearing assistance but are now widely used for everything from understanding complex dialogue in movies to watching foreign films. However, they often come with a set of frustrations: they can be glaringly bright, oversized, or awkwardly placed, pulling you out of the cinematic experience. This is especially true for those with "Scope" widescreen home theater setups.

Enter Dynamic Subtitle Overlay (DSO), a groundbreaking, patent-pending technology from madVR Labs that promises to make subtitles a seamless part of your movie-watching experience.

The Problem with Subtitles on Widescreen Displays

If you have a 2.35:1 "Scope" screen, you know the struggle. When watching a movie in its native widescreen format, subtitles are often placed in the black bars at the bottom of the screen. This is fine until the movie switches to a full-screen IMAX scene, or you're navigating a 16:9 menu. When this happens, the subtitles can get cut off or uncomfortably cover up the action on screen. The alternative, shrinking the entire image to make room for subtitles, is a compromise no cinephile wants to make.

How DSO Solves the Subtitle Dilemma

madVR's Dynamic Subtitle Overlay, available as a free update for the Envy Pro, Core Premium and Envy Extreme video processors, is the elegant solution to this long-standing problem. Here’s how it works:

• Automatic Repositioning: DSO intelligently detects when subtitles are in the black bars and automatically moves them into the active picture area. This is done without shrinking the image, so you never lose any of the movie’s detail.

• Smart Brightness Control: Say goodbye to overly bright, distracting subtitles. DSO can match the subtitle brightness to the scene, making them dimmer in dark scenes and brighter in light ones.

• Customizable Appearance: DSO also gives you the ability to reduce the size of the subtitles, so they obstruct less of the image. It can even adapt the color of the subtitles to blend in with the scene's color palette, creating a more harmonious and integrated look.

The Result: A More Immersive Experience

The result of this innovative technology is a more cinematic and less distracting viewing experience. Subtitles are always readable, yet they never get in the way. With DSO, you can finally enjoy movies with subtitles without any of the usual frustrations.

As one home theater enthusiast noted after seeing a demo of DSO, "I can ignore the subtitles without any issue, which is not something you can typically do."

This "set it and forget it" solution from madVR Labs is a game-changer for subtitle lovers and anyone who wants a more immersive and enjoyable home theater experience.

The Future of Sound is Here: Nothing and KEF Announce a Landmark Partnership

In the fast-paced world of technology and audio, it’s rare to see two companies from different corners of the industry come together for a truly groundbreaking collaboration. But that’s exactly what has happened with the newly announced partnership between the innovative tech brand Nothing and the legendary British audio pioneer KEF. This is a team-up that has the entire audio world talking, and for good reason

Nothing & Kef Partnership

This isn't just a simple branding exercise; it's a deep, strategic partnership that aims to redefine what we expect from our audio products. Nothing, known for its minimalist, transparent design aesthetic and user-centric approach to technology, is joining forces with KEF, a company with over 60 years of expertise in high-fidelity audio engineering.

The first product to emerge from this collaboration is the Headphone (1), Nothing's debut over-ear headphone. With "Sound by KEF," this product is a clear statement of intent. It combines Nothing’s unique design language with KEF’s commitment to acoustic precision, promising a listening experience that is both immersive and beautifully crafted.

Nothing Headphone 1

So, what can we expect from this exciting collaboration?

• A Fusion of Design and Sound: Nothing has always been about making technology feel more expressive and human. By integrating KEF's six decades of audio knowledge, we can expect products that not only look stunning but also deliver a level of sound quality that is natural, balanced, and precise.

• Innovation in Every Detail: The Headphone (1) is a prime example of this. It features a custom-built 40mm dynamic driver and offers advanced features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), on-device spatialization with head-tracking, and support for high-resolution audio formats like LDAC.

• Tactile and Intuitive Controls: In a world of touch-sensitive everything, Nothing and KEF have made a deliberate choice to use tactile controls on the Headphone (1). A roller, paddle, and button provide a more precise and reliable way to manage your music and calls without the guesswork of touch interfaces.

Exciting Collaboration

This partnership is a long-term commitment, with several co-developed products already in the works. For Nothing, it’s a chance to expand into new audio categories with the backing of a true industry legend. For KEF, it's an opportunity to bring its high-fidelity sound to a new generation of listeners through a fresh, design-led lens.

The future of audio is looking, and sounding, very exciting.

A Piece of Music History: The Bowers & Wilkins 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition

For audiophiles and music lovers, some names resonate with a certain magic. "Bowers & Wilkins" and "Abbey Road Studios" are two such names. For 45 years, these two titans of the audio world have shared a unique and enduring partnership. Now, to celebrate this incredible legacy, they've collaborated on something truly special: the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition loudspeaker.

The Limited Edition Abbey Road 801’s

Since 1980, when Abbey Road's engineers first adopted the original 801 as their reference monitor, successive generations of the 800 Series have been a mainstay in the legendary studio's control rooms. This new limited-edition speaker is a celebration of that history.

Where it all started.

So, what makes this limited edition so special?

• A Historic Design: The 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition is a bespoke version of the flagship 801 D4 Signature. It features a stunning Vintage Walnut cabinet, inspired by the classic instruments that have graced Abbey Road's studios. The design is complemented by a rich red Connolly leather trim, a nod to the chairs in the famous Studio Two control room.

Stunning attention to detail.

• Unrivaled Sound: At its heart, this speaker is all about "True Sound." It boasts a Diamond Dome tweeter, a Continuum™ cone FST™ midrange, and two Aerofoil™ Profile bass cones. This combination delivers a sound that's as close to the original recording as you can get, with breathtaking clarity, detail, and realism.

• An Exclusive Collectible: This is a truly limited-edition release, with only 140 pairs being produced worldwide. Each pair comes with a unique identifying plate and a specially commissioned book that chronicles the history of the Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road partnership, complete with rare photographs.

Historical Speakers

The 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition is more than just a loudspeaker: it's a piece of music history. It's a chance to experience your favorite music with the same fidelity and precision as the artists and engineers who created it.

Whether you're a dedicated audiophile, a music historian, or simply someone who appreciates the finest in craftsmanship and sound, this is a release you won't want to miss.

McIntosh premieres the all-new MSA5500 2-Channel Streaming Integrated Amplifier.

The MSA5500 Streaming Integrated Amplifier is both a full featured music streamer and powerful integrated amplifier in one. It can serve as the cornerstone of your audio setup, whether it be your first venture into high-fidelity audio, an addition to your existing system, or to use at your office or vacation home. Crafted to perfection and compact in size, the MSA5500 is tailor-made for modern living spaces, making it an ideal choice for those seeking premium audio in more confined environments.

The MSA5500 is compatible with a multitude of leading streaming technologies and platforms including Apple® AirPlay®; Bluetooth®; Google Cast™ (formerly Chromecast); Spotify® Connect; and TIDAL® Connect (including TIDAL HiFi Lossless Quality). No special control app or technical skills are needed; the easy-to-use MSA5500 invites you to simply stream your music directly from your smart device.1 If you've been using a lower quality wireless home sound system, then listening to your favorite tracks through the MSA5500 will be like hearing them again for the first time.

In addition to all its streaming capabilities, the MSA5500 also comes 7 digital and 5 analog audio inputs to connect audio components, such as a CD player or tuner, plus a Moving Magnet phono input to connect a turntable. The digital inputs support high resolution digital audio playback; the USB input supports native playback of DSD512 and DXD up to 384kHz, while the coax and optical inputs can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz. 

As your audio needs evolve, the MSA5500 can grow with you. Someday you may move into a bigger space or add a larger set of speakers and find that you need more power. If that happens, you could bypass the internal amplifier and connect a bigger external amplifier – all while continuing to use the MSA5500's familiar streaming and preamplifier sections. You can rest assured that the MSA5500 can accommodate your changing needs and be a lifelong partner in your audio pursuits.

Bowers & Wilkins introduce Pi8 and Pi6 earbuds

Pi8 and Pi6 are our category-leading True Wireless earbuds. A new benchmark in earbud excellence, both models are engineered for the modern music lover and deliver unforgettable sound – true to the artist’s intent – wherever you go.

Pi8

Born from decades of engineering expertise and inspired by our flagship Px8 
over-ear wireless headphones, our new Pi8 earbuds provide all the outstanding performance, carefully crafted design and premium comfort your listening experiences deserve.

Pi6

An earbud that defines excellence in its True Wireless category. Class-leading audio performance, bespoke ANC and crystal-clear call quality with the comfort and elegance of a highly considered earbud design.

Check out the refreshed Sonus Faber Sonetto G2 collection!

The Sonetto G2 collection stands out for its bespoke approach to design, particularly in the custom engineering of each individual driver. Every driver in the Sonetto G2 series is meticulously crafted specifically for this collection – the first to incorporate acoustic technologies specifically developed for Sonus faber’s groundbreaking Suprema system, which was introduced earlier this year.

The Sonetto G2 collection includes a complete range of speakers, including stand-mount, floor- standing, and wall-mount options, designed to meet the needs of every listener, whether a music enthusiast or a professional audiophile. Each speaker has been constructed with high-quality materials and finished with the utmost attention to detail, embodying the very essence of Italian craftsmanship.

Acoustics Highlights

• The lute shape of the speakers, an iconic design feature of Sonus faber, not only adds a touch of elegance but also optimizes sound dispersion for an immersive listening experience.

• The high-quality wood cabinet has been further enhanced with a new concrete base, providing superior stability and better vibration management for impeccable sound performance.

• The woofer features a paper pulp sandwich cone for precise and dynamic bass response, paired with an organic basket for optimal air flow. Motors include aluminum demodulation rings to improve linearity.

• The tweeter in the Sonetto G2 collection features state-of-the-art Silk Dome DADTM (Damped Apex Dome) technology. With a response extending beyond 30kHz thanks to the incorporation of a copper cup, the tweeter reproduces the finest nuances in the audio spectrum, ensuring exceptional clarity and detail in sound reproduction.

Design Highlights

The Sonetto G2 series features a host of classic Sonus faber design highlights, including:

• Mid-High unity flange wrapped in leather (inspired by Olympica Nova and Stradivari)

• 45° angle top wood finish

• Metal finished rings around all drivers

• Single driver dust grills

The series also features design highlights that are new to Sonus faber products, including:

• The inclusion of a concrete base, which not only enhances stability and minimizes vibrations but also adds a modern and industrial aesthetic element to the speakers, complementing the classic wood and leather finishes. Concrete bases came with rubber feet, with optional spikes.

• The round binding post cover, adorned with the Sonus faber logo, serves both a functional and decorative purpose. Designed specifically for bi-wiring binding posts, it ensures the integrity of connections while adding a touch of refinement to the rear panel of the speakers.

Introducing the new BlueSound Node Family!

The Bluesound Node is getting a refresh along with two brand new models, the Bluesound Nano and the Bluesound Icon. The Nano is a more compact version of the Node, while the Icon includes a brand new display as well as many more inputs and outputs.

Here is a look at the new Nano next to an NAD integrated amplifier.

For the Audio Obsessed: From carefully built audio circuitry and components, to its breakthrough processing power and measurements, the NODE NANO is all about design and engineering. At its very core is an industry-leading ESS SABRE® DAC with Hyperstream® IV technology to deliver music (up to 24-bit/192kHz) with breathtaking dynamics and ultra-low distortion.

Built for Any Streaming Source: NODE NANO is powered by BluOS and natively supports many popular music streaming services including Amazon Music, Pandora, Qobuz, SiriusXM, Tidal, and more. It also features Apple AirPlay 2, aptX™ Adaptive Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect—perfect for listeners and users who want to stream all their favorite music, apps, and services with one device.

Simple and Easy: NODE NANO features a simple set of digital/analog outputs for connecting to existing audio components via RCA, Coax, Optical, and USB. It also features a backlit front touch panel for quick control and access up to two (2) programmable presets.

Our Best Streamer Ever Built: With carefully selected componentry, and a masterfully engineered Dual-Mono DAC design, the NODE ICON sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers. It uses two ESS SABRE® ES9039Q2M DACs and a low-noise power supply to deliver superior dynamic range, ultra-low distortion, and the highest possible resolution ever heard. DAC performance is further enhanced by MQA Labs’ revolutionary technology, QRONO d2a, which corrects any timing errors in the digital-to-analogue conversion process and realigns the timing response to the original recording.

Beautifully Designed for Audiophiles: NODE ICON features a high-quality aluminum chassis and a stunning 5” full-colour HD display. Its sleek gloss black finish integrates seamlessly into any home or system, while its balanced XLR outputs are directly connected to the Dual-Mono DACs for exceptionally clear audio. It also features THX AAA™ headphone technology and supports DSD playback for studio-quality recordings.

High-Performance ADC: The NODE ICON is equipped with the latest two-channel ES9826 SABRE® ADC to power the conversion of analog audio to digital, adding virtually no noise or distortion to the signal path. The result is true-to-source analog audio with the convenience and versatility of digital.

Pricing and Availability

The NODE NANO is available now at $299 USD ($399 CAD, €349 EUR, £299 GBP) on bluesound.com and in authorized Bluesound dealers around the world. It will begin arriving to customers and available at dealer locations starting today.

The NODE is available for pre-order now at $549 USD ($749 CAD, €599 EUR, £499 GBP) in both Black and White finishes on bluesound.com and at participating Bluesound dealers globally. It will begin shipping to customers and available at dealer locations starting September 24, 2024.

The NODE ICON will be available for pre-order at $999 USD ($1399 CAD, €1099 EUR, £899 GBP) starting October 17, 2024, on bluesound.com and at Bluesound dealers. It will begin shipping to customers and dealer locations worldwide on November 15, 2024.

If you are interested come into the store or give us a call at (323) 931-8873.