Sherwood introduced the flagship receiver in their high-performance Newcastle line-up. Rated at 100W RMS per channel for each of its 7 powered channels, the Sherwood R-972 fully supports HDMI 1.3b standard with four HDMI inputs, scales all video to 1080p via the Silicon Optix Reon processor, decodes lossless audio (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio) via dual TI 32-bit DSP chips, uses a Dual Mode RF plus IR remote control.

The Sherwood's R-972 has a sleek design with its black aluminum face-plate, spun aluminum knobs, 2-line VFD display and modesty door. Ready for home, the R-972 brings full multi-source and triple-zone playback capability.

MSRP for the R-972 is $1799.95 and it will be available in March, 2008.

Designed for music lovers, the latest Solo Movie 2.1 from Arcam is a full featured DVD player, stereo amplifier and radio tuner. The Solo Movie 2.1 has been built on the phenomenal success of the Solo Music and the Solo Movie 5.1. It’s for people who insist on audiophile quality sound combined with astounding picture quality, but in a compact one-box format.

As the 2.1 in the name depicts, this is a stereo system, it delivers 50W per channel and you can hook up an active subwoofer. The Solo Movie 2.1 delivers stunning sound decoding and amplification from Dolby Digital or DTS signals. It can also extract from a huge range of other input material from DVD to the latest SACD and DVD Audio discs with the help of the world’s most advanced DVD core processors "Zoran Vaddis 888" which supports video upscaling to 1080p and native HDMI connectivity. In addition the system is compatible iPod with the optional Arcam’s rDock.

Priced at £1,500 this DVD player is not suitable for everyone, but if you want a high-end system-in-a-box, we don't think you can find much better. At this price speakers aren't included.

Genesis recently announced the availability of the Reference-series amplifiers. Better than the previous M60 valve amplifiers according to Genesis, this series still has the musicality and tonal colors of a tube amplifier but the control and dynamics of solid-state. The Reference-series features a simple and sleek design able to hold high-current and wide-bandwidth speakers whatever its impedance. In addition, the new amplifiers had to be capable of driving any model in the Genesis range, from the Genesis 7.1 petite to the towering flagship - the Genesis 1.1.

The Genesis Reference amplifier is custom-configured and built to order. A basic version stereo power amplifier with 180W per channel will retail for $3,600 and Statement-level monoblock power amplifiers are $19,000 for a 360W pair.

The new MA7000 stereo integrated amplifier is the largest and, at 250W per channel into 8, 4, and 2 ohms, the most powerful integrated amplifier McIntosh has ever offered.

It features an ultra-low distortion preamplifier section supports two balanced and four single-ended line-level inputs plus an ultra low-noise, high-gain phono stage that provides enough gain to accommodate medium to high-output MC cartridges in addition to MM cartridges. The amplifier includes two sets of switchable, balanced preamplifier outputs for easy system expansion. Also a 5-band equalizer on the front panel guarantees the range of adjustment necessary to extract the maximum sound quality from a wide variety of audio sources and software along with two wattmeters which provide visual recognition of amplifier status for an additional measure of protection.

The McIntosh MA7000 is currently available at a suggested retail price of $7000.

The new MC1.2KW Power Amplifier from McIntosh joins a legendary family of monoblock designs, bringing a massive design to a robust 1,200W platform that boasts 200 amps peak output current capability.

A massive regulated power supply guarantees power to spare and the ability to drive any loudspeaker without regard to impedance or efficiency. The MC1.2KW delivers full rated output power (1,200 watts), into 2, 4, and 8 ohm loads. Proprietary Sentry Monitor technology provides fuse-free automatic short circuit protection and Power Guard prevents loudspeaker-damaging clipping.

And for a frightening $11,000 this mono block features a giant wattmeter on the front panel which provides accelerated peak-pausing response to ensure recognition of musical transients and fiber-optic illumination guarantees a lifetime of trouble-free performance.

The new Jamo DMR 45 digital all-in-one receiver easily lets users create enveloping 5.1-channel surround sound performance using only two speakers and a subwoofer with the Dolby Virtual Surround technology.

This compact 2.1-channel virtual surround receiver delivers 75 watts of power to each speaker and is equipped with an LFE (low frequency effects) output for subwoofer. Additionally, the DMR 45 has a HDMI (1.2a) all-digital interface and built-in video upscaling up to 720p/1080i video resolution, enhances standard DVD-quality on modern flat-screen TVs. The system features an advanced Dolby Digital Decoder and supports a wide range of standard formats, such as DivX, Xvid, WMA, MP3 and JPEG. Also the Jamo DMR 45 integrates a radio tuner with 40 AM/FM presets and a front-panel USB port.

The Yamaha RX-V3800 is the latest high-end receiver from the RX-V series. Priced at $1,699.95 on the official Yamaha's store this 7.1-channel home theater receiver introducing the newest and best technologies from its predecessors.

The RX-V3800 features 3D CINEMA DSP, latest HDMI 1.3a specification support, upscaling to 1080p, full support for high definition audio formats signals (Dolby TRUE HD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS HD Master Audio...), adaptive DRC and adaptive DSP level, YPAO Auto Setup with "Quick Start", multi-zone custom installation support and Network Receiver functions. It delivers an awesome power of 980W (140W x 7) and utilizes Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit DACs. The unit is also iPod compatible via the optional Yamaha YDS-10 docking station.

Moreover the RX-V3800 shows off the Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) name given by Yamaha for its best products.

Pass Laboratories will introduce the XA.5 Series Power Amplifiers at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show, next month in Las Vegas. Designed for audiophiles by lifelong audiophiles, the new amplifiers represent a peak in the evolution of Pass Labs amplifiers toward ever higher performance.

The XA.5 Series of power amplifiers consists of five models, the XA200.5, the XA160.5, the XA100.5, the XA60.5 and the XA30.5. All embody significant improvements on their classic Pass Labs predecessors, and all deliver the warmth, sweetness, depth and space that are the hallmarks of outstanding audio products. Working in a pure Class-A operation, the XA.5 amplifiers achieve their superb performance by incorporating all the refinements Pass Labs quietly introduced into its earlier models over the past several years.

All five XA.5 power amplifiers are available now from authorized Pass Labs dealers at the following suggested prices:
XA200.5 $31,000/pair (mono block)
XA160.5 $20,000/pair (mono block)
XA100.5 $15,000/pair (mono block)
XA60.5 $10,000/pair (mono block)
XA30.5 $5,000 each

The latest amplifier series from Pioneer includes 2 new models, the A-A6-J (2x 60W) and the A-A9-J (2x 70W). These high-end integrated stereo amplifiers are designed to deliver audio output that is as pure and precise to the original as possible.

Based on a dual mono symmetrical construction and powered by a pair of toroidal transformers which deliver stable current for powerful, clean sound reproduction, this series incorporates class-AB dual mono symmetrical amps (which operate in pure class-A mode in low power, eliminating switching and crossover distortion) rated at 60W or 70W under 4Ω, (20 – 20,000 Hz).

These amplifiers are equipped with gold plated terminals, including headphone output, and feature a Source Direct mode to avoid any sound signal interference. The A-A9-J has 2 additional USB inputs and includes the "Sound Retriever" technology.

The Chord CPM2650 and CPM3350 integrated amplifier are designed around the latest versions of the highly successful CPA2500 and SPM650 Pre and Power amplifier combinations.

The pre-amplifier can hold up to six input signals using the supplied remote handset or via the front panel controls. Two tape loops allow you to record one source whilst also listening to another and a separate switchable preamplifier output is available for bi-amping.

The CPM2650 amplifier boasts an output power of 2x 120W RMS @ 8Ω or 2x 170W RMS @ 4Ω and the CPM3350 delivers 2x 220W RMS @ 8Ω or 2x 360W RMS @ 4Ω. The electronic features ultra high frequency low ESR power supply for better efficiently than conventional designs. This gives the amp enormous reserves of instantly delivered, precisely controlled power which is more than capable of controlling even the most demanding loudspeakers. With the ability to select the pre outs and speaker outputs together or individually the flexibility of the unit allows it to be used as a pre-amp, on its own or with another power amp for bi-amping.