Arcam released a compact version of its famous Solo Music, the Solo Mini combines a CD player which plays back MP3 discs as well, AM/FM or FM/AM/DAB tuners (market dependant), an integrated iPod control via optional rLead/rDock peripheral and an alarm clock with "wake to" CD/tuner/alarm. connectivity includes six analog inputs (5x RCA rear, 1x 3.5mm jack front) and a front panel USB input that allows USB memory devices to be played (MP3 and WMA files supported). The unit boasts a 25W per channel stereo amplifier and includes a sophisticated circuitry with a torroid based power supply and it features the renowned D/A converters from the DiVA CD73 CD player.

The Arcam Solo Mini comes without speakers for £650.00.

NAD's C515BEE is a breakthrough in both performance and value, perfectly matching the C315BEE integrated amplifier. This CD player plays CD/CD-R as well as MP3 and WMA files copied to CD-R for up to 10 hours of continuous play. To ensure minimum distortion carefully capacitors and other passive components with close tolerances have been chosen, and digital/analog conversion is made by Sigma Delta converters with low noise and excellent linearity.

Additional features include an informative display, a dimmer for the display, coaxial and optical digital outputs, and a full-function remote control. The NAD C515BEE comes for $299.

The compact NAD C315BEE integrated stereo amplifier is fully equipped to serve as the control center for a high-performance music system. Priced at only $349, this affordable unit delivers 2x 40W into 4 or 8 Ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz at 0.02%THD. It also features PowerDrive-S, a new simplified version of NAD’s successful PowerDrive technology, which combines high levels of dynamic power with very low distortion when driving difficult low-impedance loads.

Additionally, the C315BEE includes bass and treble controls, defeatable tone controls, six line level inputs including one tape loop, a headphone output, a front-panel input for portable media players, multi-way speaker binding posts, and a full-function remote control.

NAD unveiled at the CES the VISO FIVE (pictured) DVD/CD Surround Sound Receiver and VISO TWO DVD/CD Receiver, these system are now announced on NAD's website.

The VISO series delivers NAD component performance inside a compact and modern design single box that combine DVD/CD receiver, high-performance HD picture, audio, FM/AM reception, as well as XM and iPod readiness. Both models deliver superb DVD picture quality in both interlaced and progressive scan modes with upscaling to 720p and 1080i resolution.

NAD's VISO FIVE combines a DVD/CD player and 5.1 surround sound receiver while the Viso Two is a DVD/CD player and 2.1 receiver model. Both feature an HDMI digital video output with On-Screen-Display setup. The VISO FIVE offers the latest surround formats, including DVD-Audio with 24-bit/196-kHz resolution and full bass management. VISO TWO offers DVD-Audio support for superb sound, as well as Dolby Virtual Speaker mode, which provides surround effects with only two front speakers. Both units include a sensitive FM/AM tuner with 30-station preset memory, RDS capability, have an XM Ready input and a rear-panel data Port to accept NAD's optional IPD-1 iPod dock.

Marantz released the SA-11S2 Reference Series, 2nd generation of SA-CD player updated with many of the components and features of the SA-7S1, this new disc spinner retails for $3499.99 instead of $1999.99 for the old player, but I think the price is a bit overpriced for a SACD player...

The Marantz SA-11S2 is equipped with a SACDM-1 mechanism module which supports SACDs, audio CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs playback. The circuitry was engineered to reduce the signal path in the purpose of removing all interferences and to keep the sound as neutral as possible by using high-quality components. The cabinet is made up from extruded aluminium (10mm thick) for vibration-free build without any visible screws, the front panel includes a slightly blue illuminated front and noiseless LCD display.

The AVR-5308CI ($5,199) is the newest flagship 7.1-channel A/V receiver introduced from Denon that carries the THX ULTRA2 and Surround EX certifications. HD-compliant, this amplifier is equipped by the latest technology with 6x HDMI inputs/ 2x HDMI outputs certified 1.3a, Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master audio decoding as well as an HD radio tuner.

The Denon AVR-5308 is the first A/V amplifier from the company to incorporate the Silicon Optix Realta HQV chipset which provides enhanced video with up-conversion and scaling to 1080p. The amplifier can also double as a media center by streaming content (audio & photo) from a disc or USB connectivity over your network via Ethernet or WiFi (802.11 b/g) and features remote control from a PC or a DLNA server, in addition the USB connectivity supports drives up to 2TB.

Others features include an AM/FM tuner, multi-zone capabilities, iPod and XM Radio compatibility.

The new Sennheiser PC 350 is a closed type, circumaural PC headset for gamers. It features a superior passive attenuation (up to 32 dB) of ambient noise with its large size and comfortable ear cups designed for long gaming sessions along with a large microphone to cancel out outside noise. The PC 350 is equipped with volume control and microphone mute function. Also for easy transport the headset is collapsible and connects to any sound card. Sennheiser's PC 350 is available for purchase immediately and is priced at £149.99.

South Korean manufacturer April Music is introducing the Aura Note, an all-in-one system for high-fidelity music listeners that combines an high-end top-loading CD player, an FM/AM tuner and a MOSFET based stereo amplifier with 50W per channel @ 8-ohm (20Hz - 25KHz) into a one box solution.

The Aura Note is able to play MP3, WMA or OGG files from CDs, USB mass storage devices or directly from your computer. The April Music's solution is available from AV123.com for the price of $1,850.

The Pioneer's flagship model from the "EX Series" is going to be available this month in a new Cherry Wood color finish in Japan. The Pioneer S-3EX model was introduced in June 2007 is the top-level performance column loudspeaker made from the company, the Cherry Wood color finish model, called S-3EX-T has exactly the same specifications, like the S-3EX these speakers was designed in France, with engineering contributions from Japan and the USA.

The Pioneer S-3EX-T employs a pair of 16cm cone woofers, a 14cm magnesium cone medium along with a 3cm ceramic graphite tweeter for a power handling up to 160W into 6-ohm. Sensitivity is about 88.5 dB and frequency response is 30 - 100.000 Hz

Victor (JVC) announced the launch of a compact cube-shaped stereo speaker "SP-A440" in Japan market. The SP-A440 comes in four different colors including black, silver, white and red. The compact unit which measures 61.5x 61.5x 65mm and weighs only 163g includes two drivers in each cube. These speakers delivers 2x 1.75W and incorporate two playing modes, music or home theater, the last one provides a surround sound by using time delay. The JVC SP-A440 connects to any audio source via a 3.5mm stereo jack input.