At Sony Europe’s roll-out of consumer audio products for 2003 in Berlin last week, Sony addressed the high-end of its range with three new components, designated as the 9000 Series.

The line includes a multi-channel digital amplifier (TA-DA9000ES), a multi-channel Super Audio CD (SACD) player (SCD-XA9000ES), and a 1000 Watt powered subwoofer (SA-WX900).

The 9000 Series components are presented in the characteristic gold-toned Sony ES (Extremely High Standard) family style. They are scheduled for availability throughout Europe in August (the subwoofer) and October (amplifier and SACD player) of this year.

Both the TA-DA9000ES amplifier and the SCD-XA9000ES SACD player will include i.LINK, Sony’s name for the IEEE-1384 digital connection standard (branded as Firewire by Apple Computer and others).

The new top-of-the-line Sony SACD player will provide an i.LINK (IEEE-1394) interface for easy connection to other 9000 Series components

In Sony’s scheme of things, the i.LINK interface will be used to carry digital data streams between player and processor, including the Direct Stream Digital (DSD) signal of the SACD format. This means you get a high-quality, single-cable connection between the units, without the need for a 6-line analog connection as on typical SACD and DVD-Audio set-ups available today.

The SCD-XA9000ES will be Sony’s new flagship SACD player, representing the state-of-the-art in multi-channel and stereo Super Audio CD, as well as conventional CD playback technology. The new player will use a tri-powered D/A converter system, promising optimal reproduction of the wide frequency range associated with Super Audio CD, and significantly reduced noise levels.

A new dual-laser pick-up, developed to read the different Super Audio CD and CD layers, will also handle CD-R and CD-RW discs. The player also features Sony’s Multi-Channel Speaker Management System (bass management), gold-plated line-out jacks, and a dedicated headphone jack. A dual R-core transformer takes care of the separate power supply requirements of the audio and digital circuits. The output specification includes one optical and one coaxial digital output as well as a 5.1 multi-channel analogue output.

The TA-DA9000ES processor/amplifier will offer seven independent channels of amplification, each with a power output of 200 Watts. It will be equipped to decode Dolby ProLogic II, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, and DTS 96/24 used on DVD-Video.

The new top-of-the-line Sony SA-WX900 subwoofer speaker will be powered by a 1000 Watt digital amplifier “designed to ensure the ultimate bass performance for every type of music from reggae to the emotion of the most complex orchestral works.”

Sony Europe Web Site

Sony Europe is planning to release a new series of home A/V components in September 2003, for integration within its WEGA Theater concept (Sony Europe’s marketing concept that emphasizes the breadth and style of Sony’s offerings for all aspects of home theater, including TV, DVD, AV receivers, and surround speaker systems).

The new L500 Series will include a hard disk audio recorder, designated the HAR-LH500, as well as the DVP-LS500 DVD-video player, and the STR-LV500 A/V receiver.

L500 components are aimed at the design-driven consumer. They will make use of miniaturized components and innovative construction methods to create some of Sony’s slimmest-ever home entertainment products.

Sony Europe's new L500 Series A/V receiver and DVD player emphasize compact size and stylish appearance, to fit the WEGA Theatre concept

“The L500 Series provides high-end facilities in an exceptionally stylish format,” explains Jeffry van Ede, director of Sony Home Audio Video Europe.

“This range is specifically designed to meet the discerning tastes of the European market. Whether its Stockholm, Paris or Madrid, these models look great in the design-influenced European home.”

HAR-LH500 Hard Disk Audio Recorder

The HAR-LH500 will be a 60GB mass-storage recorder, providing capacity for up to 1000 albums on a compact device.

As might be expected from Sony, the recorder uses Sony’s own ATRAC 3 audio compression, rather than a more commonplace stnadard such as MP3, to maximize the storage capacity of the drive. Sony claims ATRAC 3 will provide superior playback quality and optimum data compression.

Numerous input options on the HAR-LH500 will include a built-in CD tray, providing 12x high speed copying direct from CD. Also on-board – optical and analog inputs to accommodate other feeds such as tape players and record decks.

Integrating the HAR-LH500 alongside a PC is straightforward using the supplied PC Link kit. The recorder comes with Sony’s M-crew software, which can be used to edit, rearrange and shuffle the music recorded on to the hard disc, controlled by a PC.

The unit will come with a large factory-installed database of artist and album information, which can be linked to the music stored on the disc. This information will then appear on screen whenever a particular artist, album or track is played.

STR-LV500 A/V Receiver

Despite a profile of just 64.5mm, the STR-LV500 provides 5.1 multi-channel surround sound with 5 x 50W (DIN) power output. Sony’s integrated S-Master digital amplifier delivers powerful sound reproduction from a small chassis. The unit offers the usual complement of AV inputs and outputs, and handles the most popular surround sound formats, including Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby ProLogic II, as well as Sony’s Digital Cinema EX. The STR-LV500 also includes an RDS radio tuner with 30 pre-set channel settings.

DVP-LS500 DVD Player

Featuring a similarly slim profile, the DVP-LS500 DVD player is capable of playing back DVD-Video, Video CD, Super Video CD (SVCD), DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW and MP3-CD format discs – but not Sony’s Super Audio CD format (SACD).

Sony’s Precision Drive2 system compensates for disc warp and other disc imperfections ensuring reliable playback. The system includes a High-Speed Stepping motor, and a Dynamic Tilt Compensation mechanism provides faster and more accurate tracking of playback of DVDs, while a Twin Laser pick-up enhances playback of CD-R/RW discs. A range of outputs, including optical, S-Video and component video, enhances integration options to other AV equipment.

The STR-LV500, DVP-LS500 and HAR-LH500 will be available throughout Europe from September 2003.

Sony Europe Web Site

Sony Europe will add 5 new systems to its WEGA all-in-one home theater range, all scheduled to arrive in stores between May and August of 2003.

The new models cover the full range of consumer options, from entry level to the high end of the “in-a-box” market. There are 2 new single-component Digital Audio Video (DAV) packages – the entry-level DAV-SA30 and high-end DAV-S888 – and 3 twin component (HTP) DVD player/AV receiver packages – the HTP-1100, HTP-1500 and HTP-3100.

Sony's new DAV-SA30 Home-Theater-in-a-Box system will be available in Europe in May 2003

DAV Single-Component Systems Include Multichannel SACD

The entry-level DAV-SA30 offers DVD-Video, CD and multi-channel Super Audio CD (SACD) playback, including support for CD-R/RW and MP3 format discs, as well as JPEG still-image slideshows. The player component integrates an S-master digital amplifier with 5 X 44W RMS power, and an RDS radio tuner. The unit can decode standard surround formats, including Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby ProLogic II. The speaker package consists of five satellite speakers and an 8-cm subwoofer.

The higher-spec DAV-S888 incorporates a 90W active subwoofer to offer richer bottom end reproduction, along with four stylish, slim pillar surround speakers, and a high-quality center-channel speaker. The DAV-S888 A/V component features the S-Master digital amplifier with 5 x 100W RMS power, playback of DVD-Video, multi-channel Super Audio CD, Video CD, DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW, and an RDS tuner.

Both new DAV systems will be available throughout Europe in May 2003.

The Sony HTP-3100 In-a-Box package is aimed at users who prefer the look and feel of full-sized components

HTP Twin-Component Systems Offer Quality, Expansion Possibilities

The latest additions to the Sony HTP family expand user options in terms of functionality thanks to their separate DVD player, A/V processor/receiver and 5.1 multi-channel speaker system with active subwoofer. However, the players in the HTP series do not include SACD capability, presumably leaving that option open for future expansion via a dedicated SACD player.

The HTP-1100 provides playback facilities for standard audio and video disc formats in a new slim-profile aluminium finish style. The A/V processor offers 5 x 35W of power.

A step up the performance scale, the HTP-1500 is Sony’s first home-theater-in-a-box model to include wooden-finish satellite surround and subwoofer speakers. The processor includes a full complement of surround decoders, including Dolby Digital, Dolby Prologic II, DTS, and Sony’s proprietary Digital Cinema Sound EX system.

While the lower-end HTP systems offer slimline components that blend neatly into a living room environment, Sony is offering another option for the user who prefers the look and feel of full-sized components. The HTP-3100 features a generously-proportioned AV receiver with 5 x 80W of amp power, supported by a 100W active subwoofer.

The HTP-3100 DVD player features up-scale Sony technologies such as Precision Drive2, which compensates for disc warp and imperfections to ensure reliable and high quality playback facilities. The player handles a full range of disc formats, including DVD-Video, Video CD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW and MP3.

The HTP-3100 also offers a wide range of output and interface options, including coaxial digital, composite video and SCART. Surround decoders include Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic II and DTS.

The HTP 3100 will be available throughout Europe in May 2003, while the HTP-1500 will arrive in July, and the HTP-1100 is due in August.

Sony Europe Web Site