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I just came back from the show. Both Halo D3 and Classic D200 DVD players are on the display. The classic version should be avalaible at the end of the year and then Halo version should follow. I talked to Parasound representative. Essentially both players have the same internal parts with the difference being 2-channel balanced analog outputs and BNC component video outputs on the D3. Estimated retail prices D3 $2300 and D200 $1500. The players seems to be comparable to the Onkyo S2000 (I think) and the corresponding Integra version. I hoped that D3 would have XLR digital output (AES/EBU), so I could use it to connect player to my Dodson DAC, but it did not happen. I guess this means that I will be after Classic version unless Brett will come up with a nice argument in favour of D3.
Multichannel analog preamp (P7) was not shown, but it is expected to appear pretty soon.
Now I think that some of you may not like that, but instead of the internal upgrade Halo/Parasound proposes external HDMI switcher with 5 inputs and a single output. It links with the Halo processors via RS-232C connector, so the audio will be processed. Frankly, I think it makes a lot of sense. At the moment HDMI processes all audio formats with the exception of SACD,
so pretty soon we have new version with SACD avalaible and then High Def DD and DTS will come, so we will be eventually switching just one box. ZHD HDMI switcher retail price is $600.
There was a lot of interesting stuff, but I do not have time to talk about it now and I am not going to be on the net tonight. Let me just mention Rotel digital amplifiers. Everybody heard about 7 channel 100 watts box, which is probable better than RMB 1075, but they also have a stero variant almost ready. RB1092 2 times 500 watts with balanced inputs and probably better quality of the sound than RB 1090 for about $2500. This definitely make a nice competitor for A21. Okay that is it
Krzysztof
I just came back from the show. Both Halo D3 and Classic D200 DVD players are on the display. The classic version should be avalaible at the end of the year and then Halo version should follow. I talked to Parasound representative. Essentially both players have the same internal parts with the difference being 2-channel balanced analog outputs and BNC component video outputs on the D3. Estimated retail prices D3 $2300 and D200 $1500. The players seems to be comparable to the Onkyo S2000 (I think) and the corresponding Integra version. I hoped that D3 would have XLR digital output (AES/EBU), so I could use it to connect player to my Dodson DAC, but it did not happen. I guess this means that I will be after Classic version unless Brett will come up with a nice argument in favour of D3.
Multichannel analog preamp (P7) was not shown, but it is expected to appear pretty soon.
Now I think that some of you may not like that, but instead of the internal upgrade Halo/Parasound proposes external HDMI switcher with 5 inputs and a single output. It links with the Halo processors via RS-232C connector, so the audio will be processed. Frankly, I think it makes a lot of sense. At the moment HDMI processes all audio formats with the exception of SACD,
so pretty soon we have new version with SACD avalaible and then High Def DD and DTS will come, so we will be eventually switching just one box. ZHD HDMI switcher retail price is $600.
There was a lot of interesting stuff, but I do not have time to talk about it now and I am not going to be on the net tonight. Let me just mention Rotel digital amplifiers. Everybody heard about 7 channel 100 watts box, which is probable better than RMB 1075, but they also have a stero variant almost ready. RB1092 2 times 500 watts with balanced inputs and probably better quality of the sound than RB 1090 for about $2500. This definitely make a nice competitor for A21. Okay that is it
Krzysztof
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