SONY : audio-video models 2001

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It happened once again in New York – during the Home Entertainment Show 2001, after having presented their future video-projector : VPL-VW11HT, Sony unveiled its next electronic model made for home cinema consumers.

First the DAVC9001 - this audio system dedicated to multi-channel reproduction is made up of five anamagnetic speakers that distribute « in each room » a maximum intensity of 100 watts. Completed by a module that brings together all stages –amplification, decoding (DTS Dolby digital), and running commands (DVD, SACD, CD audio), the DAVC9001 pack is the first of a long series that will be compatible with the SACD format. To be released in September, this new product will be priced at 1000 $.

To stick to the rule "never two without three", Sony also exposed its next SACD players. Also the SCD-C222ES, SCD-CE775ES (5 disk carrousels) priced at 800 $ and 400 $ respectively, were placed right next to the big SCD-XA777ES. This high quality model, available for 3000 $ in the new automn 2001 catalogue, joins a new generation of lenses, along with the latest Digital/Analogue convertor developped by Sony laboratories. In an effort to attract more average-income consumers, the Japanese firm presented its SCD-XE670ES. This low-range model that costs 300 $, will be available starting in June 2001.

Meanwhile, Sony pompously unveiled two of its new products: the STR-DA5ES and STR-DA3ES. So as to catch up in the audio multi-channel decoding sector, the manufacturer « finally » decides to replace its already outdated integrated models. The STR-DA5ES and STR-DA3ES take up the torch of their elders and therefore benefit from the last evolutions in decoding and audio processing (Dolby Digital and DTS).
These are then the two machines on which Sony chose to offer to its aficionados the sixth missing channel. The latter already being used by competitors, allows STR-DA5ES and STR-DA3ES to reproduce the sound tracks encoded in 6.1 matrix, discreet (DTS only).
The technological evolution goes further. Despite the intervention of the company Cirrus Logic for the integration of a new version of DSP Crystal (cadenced at 32 bits), Sony gave its new ones the chance to evolve with upgrade software (RS-232) or with hardware (input 7.1), good news after the untimely arrival of new audio standards. Sony announces the release of its products on the market starting in June 2001 at the prices of 1000 $ and 1500 $.

Finally, the manufacturer presented a multi-channel preamplifier also labelled « ES ». Substitute for the product TA-9000ES, the TA-P9000ES has more than the usual details (Dolby digital and DTS decoders, different modes DSP…) – it is also compatible with the new multi-channel signals encoded in 6.1.
This product comes out on the market in September at a price of 700 $.