Pioneer Elite VSX-44 and VSX-80 Home Theatre Receivers
For advanced home
theatre control, the VSX-80 is compatible with the most popular custom control
companies, Crestron and Control 4
Pioneer has expanded its line of Elite AV receivers with two
new models, designed with consumers and custom installers in mind. Both models
provide installation friendly attributes as well as optimal listening and
viewing performance features. Highlights of the receivers include HDMI 2.0
connectivity, Roku Ready certification, access to a host of Internet radio
music services, expanded multi-zone and multi-source management and
functionality, as well as smart phone / tablet control. The higher VSX-80 model
also features an ESS SABRE Premier Audio DAC, RS-232 and IP Control, 4K Ultra
HD 60P Video Up-Scaling, and multi-channel high resolution playback. Also
on-board the VSX-80 is Pioneer’s Advanced MCACC with Subwoofer EQ, which helps
create the optimum acoustic environment for movies and music. The VSX-44 is
equipped with the standard MCACC system. Both receivers use a microphone and a
subwoofer EQ (new for 2014 on the VSX-80) to compensate for differences in
speaker sizes, output levels, and distances from the user’s listening positions
automatically. For advanced home theatre control, the VSX-80 is compatible with
the most popular custom control companies, Crestron and Control 4, and offers
custom installation features including full two-way RS-232C-over-IP control,
with the ability to receive metadata from network and iOS connected devices.
VSX-44 ($549), VSX-80 ($749)
Nordost Tyr 2 Power Cord
Nordost’s new Tyr
2 power cord bridges the gap in AC supply between the Frey 2 and Valhalla
cables
Nordost’s new Tyr 2 power cord bridges the gap in AC supply
between the Frey 2 and Valhalla cables. The Tyr 2 is comprised of seven silver
plated, solid-core 16 AWG OFC conductors that lend to an important consistency
throughout the Tyr 2 range. This type of construction eliminates strand
interaction, which would otherwise compromise the sound and integrity of the
cable. In order to further enhance performance by decreasing resistance and
signal loss, Nordost employs the use of extruded FEP insulation which is
superior to all other insulation methods. Like its Norse 2 counterparts, the
Tyr 2 power cord implements mechanically tuned lengths. This unique technique
allows Nordost cables to reduce internal microphony and high frequency
impedance resonance that could radically diminish a cable’s performance. Where
the Tyr 2 power cord breaks away from other Norse 2 family AC supply options is
with the incorporation of Nordost’s proprietary Dual Mono-Filament technology.
Also used in the Valhalla 2 Reference range, this innovative technology extends
this Norse 2 cable range into the realm of Nordost’s Reference line. $3,199 for
a 1m length; add $600 for each additional meter
Nordost LS Blue Heaven and Heimdall 2 iKables For Portable Audio Devices
Both iKables are
available in the following terminations: 3.5mm stereo mini to 3.5mm stereo
mini, 3.5mm stereo mini to 2x XLR and 3.5mm stereo mini to 2x RCA. $214.99 (1m
LS Blue Heaven iKable), $460 (1m Heimdall 2 iKable)
Almost everyone these days owns a portable device loaded
with music. Nordost’s latest LS Blue Heaven and Heimdall 2 iKables are designed
to let you unleash the music from the portable device’s 3.5 mini stereo jack
and connect it to car and home stereos. At their core both iKables are
constructed from 4 silver plated, solid-core 24 AWG OFC conductors and employ
Nordost’s innovative precision FEP extrusion technology. This process greatly
reduces the dielectric properties in the cables in order to increase signal
speed and accuracy in signal transfer. This on its own makes a significant
improvement upon the standard interconnects used with portable audio devices.
However, the Heimdall 2 version takes it a step forward. It uses Nordost’s
proprietary Dual Mono-Filament technology, suspending the conductors in a
virtual air-dielectric which decreases the resistance and signal loss even
further than what is possible with the Blue Heaven. Additionally, the Heimdall
2 iKable utilizes mechanically tuned lengths which are proven to reduce
internal microphony and high frequency impedance resonance. Both iKables are
available in the following terminations: 3.5mm stereo mini to 3.5mm stereo
mini, 3.5mm stereo mini to 2x XLR and 3.5mm stereo mini to 2x RCA. $214.99 (1m
LS Blue Heaven iKable), $460 (1m Heimdall 2 iKable)
