Yamaha has launched five new A/V receivers from 5.1 to 7.2-channel. This product line comprises the HTR-6130 ($229), HTR-6140 ($349), HTR-6150 ($449), HTR-6160 ($549) and the HTR-6180 ($999).

The low-end HTR-6130 (5x 100W) incorporates 192kHz/24-bit DACs and HDMI switching with 1080p video pass-through while the Yamaha HTR-6140 (5x 105W) offers 1080p-compatible HDMI, Burr-Brown DACs, XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready and YPAO sound optimization. The HTR-6150 (7x 90W) is the 7.1-ch. version of the HTR-6140 which adds multi room capability.

Flagship models, HTR-6150 (7x 95W) and HTR-6160 (7x 105W) are fully compatible High-Definition with Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and include full HD 1080p HDMI. The HTR-6160 also includes analog video (480i or 480p) upscaling to full HD 1080p and HD Radio digital broadcast reception capability.

Other common features are a built-in AM/FM tuner and iPod/Bluetooth compatibility via Yamaha's optional Dock.

New 2008 HK 990 and HK 980 stereo integrated amplifier from Harman Kardon are expected to retail in April at £1000 and £350.

The HK 980 is a traditional integrated amplifier with 80W per channel while the flagship HK 990 (pictured) has 2x 150W amplifier, balanced XLR inputs and outputs, coaxial and optical digital inputs, MM and MC phono inputs, USB connectivity, Real-Time Linear Smoothing Technology (RLS IV), dual subwoofer outputs, 2.2-channel EzSet/EQ room optimisation and a High-resolution Synchronisation Link.

The AVR 155 (£450), AVR 255 (£600) and the AVR 355 (£750) are the new entry-level receivers from Harman-Kardon. The AVR 155 is a 5.1-channel receiver with 5x 40W while other models are 7.1-channel with 7x 50W and 7x 55W, respectively.

Harman Kardon's AVR 155 features three HDMI inputs, component and S-video inputs, an audio processor limited to basic audio decoding including Dolby Digital, DTS and Logic 7.

The AVR 255 adds HD-audio support such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, Faroudja DCDi Cinema video processing to 1080p and an RS-232 port for future firmware upgrades.

And the AVR 355 is equipped with Zone II and A-BUS multiroom capability and offers iPod dock compatibility for "The Bridge II".

The AVR 755 & AVR 655 will be the new high-end receivers from Harman-Kardon. Unfortunately you have to wait until this fall to buy them, prices are £1600 for the AVR 655 while the AVR 755 is £1800.

According to Harman Kardon the AVR 755 is the most-powerful and most-capable A/V receiver the company has ever made. It Delivers 7x 85W into 8ohm @ 0.07% THD and includes dual subwoofer outputs and EzSet/EQ II function to precisely tune the system’s performance parameters to the acoustic requirements of your space automatically. The AVR 755 has built-in Faroudja DCDi CinemaTM video processing with upscaling to 1080p and 32-bit DSP processors compatible with the latest audio standards like Dolby True HD and DTS-HD, Faroudja DCDi CinemaTM video processing. Of course the receiver is equipped with HDMI 1.3a, analog component or S-video sources, USB or iPod using "The Bridge II" Docking Station.

The AVR 655 features the same specifications but the amplifier delivers 7x 75W and it has a single subwoofer output.

The Arcam FMJ P38 power amplifier is the same as the A38 without the pre-amp section and the phono input, also it should cost less than the $1,500 asked for the A38.

The P38 circuitry features ultra stable thermal management, Sanken output devices, massive torroid based power supply and new volume control (Burr Brown PGA2320 chip) to improve audio quality and linearity. The ultra-wide band design of the P38 offers an extended frequency response that is perfectly suited to the demanding requirements of high resolution audio formats such as SACD, DVD-Audio and surround codecs like Dolby Digital+ and DTS-HD. The arcam P38 output stage boasts an amazing 140W per channel @ 4ohm or 100W/8ohm with a 0.5% THD via 5x RCA inputs or 2x recording loops inputs.

The Arcam A38 is the latest integrated stereo amplifier within the FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) series. With a price expected to be around £1,500 the Arcam FMJ A38 retains the best of Arcam's technology to develop the best performing stereo amplifier the company had ever produced. The A38 low noise topology features ultra stable thermal management, new Sanken output devices, massive toroid based power supply and new volume control (Burr Brown PGA2320) to improve audio quality.

The amplifier is able to delivers up to 140W per channel @ 4ohm with a 0.5% THD through 5x RCA inputs, 2x recording loops inputs or from the phono input.

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.

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.

Esoteric announced the A-100, a triode tube based power amplifier. This flagship tube power amp incorporates the Esoteric's latest technology, it features a proprietary circuitry designed to enhance the audio quality.

Tha A-100 delivers 2x 45W from 4x KT-88 tubes in UL-push/pull. The VBS technology compensates the fluctuations in bias voltage and the ZVS circuit stabilizes the cathode follower DC output level to improve operation of direct-coupled circuit components for a better linearity. The Esoteric A-100 also works as an integrated amplifier by selection on a switch between Direct or Line In input.

This power amplifer weighs "only" 40kg and comes equipped with a remote control, it will release in February this year at a price of $19,000.