Channel Islands Audio (CIAudio) is now shipping for the Logitech Squeezebox Duet, an alternative power supply to the Logitech's one. Called the VDC 9.0, this upgrade is said to eliminate noise caused by the standard switching supply, which can contaminate the internal digital and analog circuits. The power supply unit provides an output voltage of 9V DC rated at 2.5 Amps, the design is based around a low noise/high current transformer, discrete Schottky diode bridge rectifier, AC line filter, precision voltage regulator circuit, and 13,600uF of filter capacitance.

The PSU is available in 120 or 240v input for $279.00.

Halcro Logic will release the SSP200 surround sound processor during the beginning of August. This new unit will come with significant improvements over previous models. It features 4 switchable HDMI inputs with support for LPCM (Lossless) digital audio, DVI, RS232, USB, balanced 7.1 channel inputs/outputs as well as programmable output channels for managing additional channels such as stereo subwoofers, ceiling speakers, etc. The processor also incorporates an integrated video scaler to 1080p and an auto calibration function.

The aluminum chassis of the SSP200 can be rack mounted and includes a 7" display along with a programmable touch screen remote control for simple setup.

The SSP200 sound processor has been priced at $11,990 and carries a 4-year warranty.

AKG Acoustics will release in August the new K702 headphones. The headphones feature besides its detachable XLR cable, a revolutionary flat-wire voice coil technology for accurate sound and transient response for professional use as well as around the ear headphones for personal use. The sound clarity is enhanced with the patented Varimotion 2-layer diaphragm, which produces clear highs and accurate bass response.

The K702 comes in a sleek blue finish accompanied by personalized fitting ear pads.

Specifications:
► Frequency response: 10Hz ~ 39.8kHz
► Nominal impedance: 62Ω
► Sensitivity: 105dB/mW
► Power handling: 200mW

HSU Research has introduced the new ULS-15 subwoofer. According to the company, it can reach ultra low level down to 10Hz in most rooms with almost no distortion. The main point of this sub is its wireless connection, this makes it so much easier to optimally place the subwoofer without the clutter of cables. The ULS-15 is powered by a 1000W BASH amplifier with balanced inputs, adjustable cutoff frequency and switchable phase.

The ULS-15 features a woofer with patented super linear motor. The motor force is linear within 2% over an ultra wide +/- 20 mm. In contrast, most woofers with Xmax of +/- 30 mm will have the motor force within 2% over 5 mm or less. It also has a butyl rubber foam surround. Butyl rubber foam has the longevity of solid butyl rubber without the weight penalty. Triple shorting rings mean virtually non-existent flux modulation distortion.

The ULS-15 pricing starts at $1,299 in a satin black finish up to $1,499 for the piano gloss black finish.

The new Xandra MP (Multi Player) by Holfi is battery powered and plays not only CD but also SA-CD and DVD-Video with multi-channel audio support. Holfi has chosen to use an old fashioned linear power supply backed up with battery power instead of a switch mode power supply in order to reduce noise by 30 times, according to them. Like other Holfi products the analog section is a single ended / non feedback design, and a unique Holfi feature, called Virtual Center Speaker (VCS) allows you to play full surround sound without the use of a center speaker.

The player includes stereo, 5.1 surround and coaxial digital audio outputs as well as Scart, S-VHS and RCA (CVBS) video outputs. The frequency range is from 1Hz to 50kHz with a low 0.008% THD. Dimensions are 45.5x 8x 33cm and the unit weights 9 kg. Price is €4,500.

The Chord's Chordette Gem is designed to integrate within an existing HiFi system and allow the transfer of music from a Bluetooth enabled phone, PDA or personal computer. The addition of a USB port also allows direct streaming of audio from a PC.

The Chordette Gen supports any A2DP (Advanced Audio Profile) Bluetooth compatible devices. Using a custom designed Bluetooth receiver Chord has been able to extract and decrypt the normally unused digital audio information and input this directly into a high quality digital to analogue converter. Unlike the analog audio outputs seen from other Bluetooth devices this gives us much better performance and enables CD like transfer of music from the Bluetooth device. The unit has a range of up to 30 meters and the USB port can be connected to a personal computer and will seamlessly appear as an audio device by the operating system.

The compact receiver measures 160x 70x 40mm and is available in several finishes for a retail price of £399.

Chord Electronics has introduced its new QBD76 digital to analog converter built upon the award winning DAC64. Using the very latest Field Programmable Gate Arrays the WTA filtering and Pulse Array technology has been taken to new levels. The improvements in performance are now reaching the theoretical maximums achievable with CD digital audio.

The QBD76 incorporates a Bluetooth receiver that gives HiFi quality playback of music content stored in A2DP (Advanced Audio Profile) Bluetooth devices and in particular mobile phones. Rather than using the analog signal found on other Bluetooth audio products Chord has extracted and decoded the digital audio stream giving a perfect reproduction from an uncompressed audio file stored in the phone. In addition to Bluetooth, the QBD76 also has two coaxial, two AES, two optical inputs as well as a USB port.

The new QBD76 DAC is available for £3,000 in silver or black anodized aluminum finish.

Here is the KID's daddy , the Krell Papa Dock power amplifier has been designed for the KID (Krell Interface Dock) iPod/iPhone dock. It delivers up to 150 watts of power and features a 40,000 microfarad power supply. It also has physically isolated left and right channels, twelve high current output devices and WBT speaker connectors. Papa Dock automatically powers on when an iPod is inserted and powers off when the iPod is removed.

The Krell's Papa Dock power amplifier is available for $2,500 while "its" KID is priced at $1,500.

From October, Pioneer will launch 2 new high-quality loudspeakers to complement the EX Speaker Series: the S-4EX bookshelf and S-8EX centre speakers. Constructed with the same award-winning design technology as the S-3EX tall boy speakers, these smaller sized multi-channel solutions bring the high definition audio experience to life.

Both speakers have an ultra rigid cabinet construction and the S-4EX has a curved front baffle surface with a 3m radius to ensure perfect time alignment. The S-8EX employs 2x 16cm bass drivers while the S-4EX get one along with a ceramic graphite diaphragm tweeter mounted concentrically within a magnesium coned midrange driver. Pioneer gives no details on specifications, but the maximum power handling of 160W per speaker.

No price yet but these speakers will be available in beech high gloss veneer or dark teak matte finish.

Meridian has unveiled the new i80 universal dock to fit all dockable iPods. Designed in complement to the Ferrari F80 audio system, Meridian says the i80 offers the "very finest" solution for listening to, and sharing your, digital music collection. The i80 connects to the F80 simply, allowing immediate and complete control of the music library stored on the iPod through the F80 remote control or its front panel buttons. Track info is relayed via the F80's OLED display and the i80 also charges your iPod so you get continuous play with no need for extra power cables.

The dock is available in standard gloss black, but has clip-on red or yellow trims so it matches your particular F80 model. It's available in the next few days for £195.