B&W's Mini Zeppelin iPod Speaker System $399.95

The Zeppelin, B&W’s integrated iPod speaker system, revolutionized the portable music world with their ability to fill a room with crisp, deep, lifelike stereo sound, and deliver musical detail that you’d never believe an ip\Pod could deliver.

Now B&W’s Zeppelin Mini gives you everything you loved about Zeppelin — advanced acoustic technology, intelligent design, elegant connectivity — in a streamlined, compact sound dock package that’s perfect for desktops and bedside tables. Because even when your space is limited, it doesn’t mean your sound has to be.

B&W Bowers & Wilkins introduced this little beauty just in time for the holidays. Now, after finding the perfect gift for everyone else on your list, why not treat yourself to a little something sleek and musical? SCI is your Bay Area source for the Zeppelin Mini and all things B&W.

Linn's Majik DS-i

A true specialist system yet deceptively compact, Linn’s best value DS player to date combines all the highest quality Linn-engineered components to ensure no-compromise system performance. The new Majik DS-i includes a Linn DS player, high performance pre-amplifier, Chakra power amplification and Linn’s latest Dynamik power supply.

The heart of your home entertainment system, Majik DS-I also has multiple digital and analog input connections so you can enjoy improved audio from your TV, gaming, movie players and much more. It will even connect to your turntable to bring those old vinyl records back into your 21st Century lifestyle.

Sound Cinema Integration is your Bay Area authorized Linn dealer, selling the Majik DS-i and other Linn classics and designing systems that make Linn technology work for you.

The S-300i is the first Krell integrated amplifier to feature iPod connectivity and extends the award winning tradition of audiophile grade integrated amplifiers.

A low profile chassis fronted by an elegantly finished silver Aluminum front panel hints at the potent circuitry hidden within its walls. Small in stature but big in performance, the S-300i integrated amplifier develops 150 W into 8 Ohms and 300 W into 4 Ohms. Employing a massive 750 VA toroidal transformer and 38,000 microfarads of capacitance guarantees huge power capability for maximum dynamic impact. Both balanced and single-ended inputs are provided, and the Theater Throughput(tm) mode, developed by Krell, simplifies integration into home theater systems. Robust WBT binding posts provide superior loudspeaker cable termination. New for the S-300i is direct connection for all generations of Apple iPods /iPhones with complete control of the iPod functionality via the included remote control. Unique for the category, the S-300i taps audio from the fully differential output included in the internal DACs of iPods/iPhones and maintains this balanced signal throughout the circuitry.

The S-300i features the latest Krell Class A, direct coupled design, and fully balanced preamplifier circuitry for the lowest noise reproduction possible. Krell Current Mode provides unequaled bandwidth for the most revealing playback of today’s high resolution music sources. Direct coupled circuitry eliminates impact-robbing capacitors from the signal path and an elegant, custom-machined level control adjusts volume.

The included solid aluminum remote control replicates all front panel options as well as providing control for a connected iPod/iPhone. RS-232 is also included for inclusion in advanced control systems.

Inputs
1 pr. balanced via XLR connectors
3 pr. single-ended via RCA connectors
1 dedicated iPod input via 30-pin connector

Outputs
1 pr. preamp outputs via RCA connectors
1 pr. speaker outputs via gold-plated binding posts

Control inputs
1 RS-232 input via 9-pin D-subminiature connector
1 remote IR detector input via 3-conductor 3.5 mm connector
1 12 VDC trigger input via 2-conductor 3.5 mm connector

Control output
1 programmable 12 VDC trigger output (30 mA maximum current) via 2-conductor 3.5 mm connector

Frequency response
20 Hz to 20 kHz +0, -0.14 dB
<2 Hz to 110 kHz +0, -3 dB

Signal-to-noise ratio
>84 dB, wideband, unweighted, at maximum gain, referred to full power output
>93 dB, “A”-weighted

Input sensitivity
Single-ended or balanced: 800 mV RMS

Total harmonic distortion
<0.035% at 1 kHz, at 150 W, 8 ohms load
<0.26% at 20 kHz, at 150 W, 8 ohms load

Output power
150 W RMS per channel at 8 ohms
300 W RMS per channel at 4 ohms

Output voltage
99 V peak to peak
35 V RMS

Slew rate
50 V/S

Output impedance
<0.080 ohms at 20 Hz
<0.11 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Damping factor
>100 at 20 Hz, referred to 8 ohms
>75, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, referred to 8 ohms

Power consumption
Standby: 40 W
Idle: 60 W
Maximum: 1000 W

Heat output
Standby: 140 BTU/hr
Idle: 210 BTU/hr
Maximum: 1600 BTU/hr

Here is what the critics are saying!

Sound and Vision

“A great-sounding, reasonably priced analog two-channel integrated amp from a high-end brand that many people thought they would never be able to afford âeuro” and it’s got an iPod interface, too”
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AV Guide

“At 43 pounds, it outputs 150Wpc and doubles that rating into 4 ohms thus likely making the S-300i the most powerful amp in this price range.”

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This past weekend had our team out in the East Bay, Piedmont to be exact.  We installed a sweet little birthday surprise for the lucky dad in this family!

We began by updating the receiver and adding a Rotel 6 channel distribution amp to power 3 zones.  We also added a Marantz 5 disc CD changer, the new CC-4003  and a Marantz IPod Docking Station to the electronics closet.

Then we finished by installing two pairs of B&W loudspeakers.  One pair of CCM-80 in-ceiling speakers and 1 pair of WM-6 weatherproof outdoor speakers tucked up under the eves.

It all sounded great, was easy for the entire family to use and came in under budget!  A good day for us all!

NEW Linn DS Series for superb sound quality from your computer

With high quality music downloads now readily available and the widespread use of portable mp3 players, more people than ever before are interacting with music on their computer. Sadly, all that convenience comes at the expense of sound quality.

Linn DS lets you release this music from your computer to enjoy genuine audiophile performance from stored CDs and music downloads. Linn DS players are the only authentic hi-fi products to access stored digital music and stream it over a home network.

Offering 5 models, Klimax DS, Akurate DS, Majik DS, Sneaky DS and the Multi Room DS all with  performance that surpasses any CD player and with the convenience of having your entire digital music collection at your fingertips, organized your way. You’ll never go back.

The newest I-Pod docking device is coming and boy is it gonna be cool!  And the best part…$400.00!!

To learn more about the Zeppelin Mini check out this video presentation!

Rotel showed some new product this week at CEDIA Expo.

Two audio components that network with home PCs and stream Internet radio. Both also control media on a connected iPod or other USB device.

The RDG-1520 digital Internet tuner, features FM tuner, streaming of 15,000 Internet radio stations without a networked PC, and streaming of music stored on a networked PC equipped with UPnP and Windows Media Player 11. This product is slated to sell for $999.00

The digital Internet tuner, includes a USB input for direct digital connection of an iPod ,  bypassing the iPod’s analog-output stage to shift digital-to-analog conversion over to the tuner’s high-end Wolfson DAC and analog stage.

Secondly, a streaming product, called the RCX-1500. It is a streaming media/CD/FM stereo receiver, In addition to being a fine stereo receiver with built-in CD player,  it features the  ability to stream Internet radio and music stored on a networked PC. It’s due in November at a suggested retail of $1,500.

The device’s CD section uses 24 bit/192kHz DACs, and a very capable 2×100-watt amp section ready for the demands of a 4 ohm load.

Both products’ supported RealAudio, WMA, MP3, unprotected AAC & AAC+, AU, WAV and AIFF.

In other introductions, the company showed its 12×100-watt (into 8 ohms) Class D multi-room-audio amplifier, the $2,799-suggested retail.  This amp should be a great addition to the line and further enhance the sound quality of many a multi-room system.