Sony Walkman A17 and Walkman A26

Two new players Walkman do not work on Android (as model ZX2), because Sony has created a simpler operating system for them. The players play multiple audio formats (including those that do not lose their quality). In addition, the music from player can be sent to wired and wireless speakers (including communication via NFC).

A17 is equipped with touch screen and 64GB of internal memory, while A26 has physical buttons, 32GB of memory and a slot for microSD cards. Walkman battery lasts for 50 hours of playback or 30 hours of mp3-files without loss of quality.

Sony NC

NC is wireless headphones with smart suppression of external noise. According to Sony, these headphones improve the sound quality of mp3-files using special technology DSEE.

Sony h.ear

h.ear is also wireless headphones, but with more classic design. They are equipped with active noise cancellation. Battery lasts for 20 hours at an average volume.

Televisions

At CES 2016 Sony released few new series of Bravia televisions based on Android. For owners of TVs will be available Ultra service with movies from Sony Pictures in 4K resolution and picture with a deep dynamic range (HDR). New TVs use LED-array with direct illumination and very deep black color.

Wireless speakers

Sony has introduced several models of receivers, soundbar, wireless subwoofer speakers for home theater and sound systems. They are designed for different rooms: living room, kitchen, etc.

Blu-ray players

Sony will release two models of Blu-ray players: UHP-H1 and BDP-S6700. The first model is not compatible with 4K content. Device is designed to music lovers and outputs the sound to the wireless headphones or speakers. The second player shows 4K content. Also you can stream games from PlayStation Now. Two gamepads DualShock 4 connect to the player.

Sony PS-HX500

PS-HX500 is audiophile turntable with the possibility of direct conversion of music in 24-bit format WAV.

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With Blu-ray-player Cambridge Audio, we first met two years ago, but recently this player has undergone significant modernization. Now, in addition to the disc Blu-ray, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD and CD unit was able to play on a network or connected via USB hard drive a lot of video formats, including “rips» Blu-ray in BDMV format and even ISO-image that previously only able media players Korean and Chinese companies. Of course, these talents Cambridge Audio 752BD (along with multi-zone) are not advertised, so as not to incur the wrath of the various licensing bodies, so the official specification capabilities of the player we do not provide, however, as the company said distributor, the player is capable of anything.

Well, check whether this is so, and at the same time to find out whether the owners Cambridge Audio 752BD can do without additional boxes that give access to the world of “shareware” content.

Of course, unlike the latter Cambridge can not independently download music and audio with Torrent resources, it only reproduces the content that you offer him, by connecting a hard drive or connect it to your home network.

The first option is the easiest and given support NTFS and speed provided by USB2.0, the least problematic: we were able to play HD-video, not only in containers MKV, but also a full (with menus and all the features of this disc) “rip» Blu-ray “Grand Hotel Budapest” format BDMV (with the folder structure of the disc and videos m2ts) and “Prometheus” in the form of ISO-image (both had a weight of about 50 GB). No problems and broadcasting of such monsters on a wired network: to download the video machine took a few seconds – no more than a real disk. No switching chapters, or during rewind unwanted pauses or failures do not occur, while working player never freezes, requiring a restart.

With the wireless network, you have to be limited to “pinched” HD-video in MKV containers or MP4. You lose a disc menu, but the division into chapters, choice of audio and subtitles while watching you are – given an order of magnitude smaller file sizes, the most common and acceptable option today. We will not say that with less “heavy” video in AVI and such player also works. In all cases, the image is displayed Cambridge Audio 752BD as possible, taking into account the quality of the original content, clarity, it is stable and smooth.

Connecting to the network – Cambridge Audio 752BD

Connecting to the network by means of a wire or the supplied Wi-Fi-dongle that can be connected to one of the USB-connectors on the rear panel (the other is designed to connect an external drive). You can install an adapter and a special database with meter USB-cable to improve the quality of communication. In addition, if you are going to use Wi-Fi, we recommend allocating BD752 single access point – this will save you problems with simultaneous operation of multiple computers. Entering the network settings, switching between wired and wireless options are menu.

But what, in our opinion, makes it especially important to use instead of Cambridge Asian counterparts – sound. In the series, BBC «Sherlock» (720p, H.264, MKV) it is much more multi-dimensional, detailed and vibrant. Even for playing music 752BD is very good.

Jacques Loussier jazz interpretations of the baroque theme, Eric Clapton blues sound collected, rhythmic and expressive. Complex choral cantatas Bach also transmitted reliably and only for large symphonic compositions records you definitely need a dedicated audio player.

DLNA or SMB?

Of course, in addition to access to a network folder using SMB, you can use 752BD as a network client architecture UPnP / DLNA. After all, despite the high-speed navigation using the remote control, be controlled by the application much easier. On the other hand, it will require not only network storage but sufficiently powerful server that would provide high-speed processing of video, supports various formats and codecs and steadily worked. And if the task of broadcasting music, many programs handle good, then for movies seems a preferable option with direct access to network shares. And if Cambridge Audio has released an app for the iPad, replacing the remote control Cambridge Audio 752BD, is quite remarkable.

Price: $ 1430

Pros: Fast and stable operation; Support all popular video formats, including BDMV and ISO; excellent, compared with sound – you can listen to music

Cons: Specialized application for this unit would be superfluous

Verdict: With the new firmware Cambridge Audio 752BD claims to be the only media player, allowing you to cancel the purchase of additional video players Asian manufacturers

Source: CambridgeAudio

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Today the sum of $ 1,800 for the Blu-ray-player is very high. If less than $ 200 you can buy a wonderful device – such as earned high marks in August last year, Sony BDP-S6200 – whether because overpay for a new player Oppo? At first we were not sure about this, but after spending some time in the company’s BDP-105D, changed their mnenie.Prezhde all, call it simply Blu-ray-player would be wrong. Unlike many models of class High End it is not inferior equipped with the most players to the mass market, adding to them a couple of interesting features for the most loyal fans of video and sound.

In addition to the three standard types of discs – Blu-ray, DVD and CD – BDP-105D can also play SACD and DVD-Audio. This is not the most common formats, but they allow us to estimate the sound at the highest resolution, and this opportunity is a sin not to take advantage.

Fashionable now “smart” functions Oppo player also is not deprived: it supports Netflix, You Tube and BBC iPlayer and is able to translate the files in high resolution (up to 24 bit / 192 kHz) over a home network.

List of connections BDP-105D impressive; seems to Oppo decided to make virtually all. Here, a fair amount of battery connectors: three USB Type A, HDMI-inputs with support for MHL, a pair of HDMI-out, the usual set of digital optical and coaxial inputs, and USB-port type B. Optical and coaxial inputs accept signals with a sampling frequency of up to 96 kHz, USB – up to 192 kHz.

Wireless adapter provides streaming of over a home network

Digital inputs have similar components are particularly useful in the case where the DAC embedded in them really good. This player uses high quality chips ESS Sabre DAC, also applies in a magnificent DAC Audiolab M-DAC for $ 1000 and more expensive digital products.

Analog outputs are also quite a lot. In addition to the unbalanced and balanced XLR there is also a rarely seen multichannel audio output for connection to the old AV-receiver is not equipped with HDMI-input or output may not be with SACD or DVD-Audio.

New Oppo impressive from the very first moment. It is sturdy and reliable machine, not too beautiful, but very serious. Next to him, less expensive rivals look very undignified.

The buttons on the front panel responsive, but the display is less informative than we would like. We are used to display the sampling rate during streaming, but here it is not.

Overview Blu-ray-player Oppo BDP-105D: quality, worthy of the price

It is sturdy and solid device, not too beautiful, but to create a sense of power and reliability

Remote control – the same solid and sturdy; it is convenient in the case and is backlit. We recommend that all manufacturers equip their consoles her; it is very useful in a dark room. We like this accessory, although the buttons on it too much.

We start testing with Blu-ray-discs; in this respect BDP-105D is great. Image quality – above all praise. DARBEE processing function allows the owner to adjust the picture to your liking. After experimenting with it enough, we decided that the image looks best without any additional manipulation.

In general, they do not require him. In films such as “Pacific Rim”, it is difficult not to admire the clarity of details and rich textures colors. Each circuit is depicted by exactly, but it looks quite natural. Fight scenes in the dark recesses exhibit high contrast and impressive elaboration dimly lit objects. Bright colors are very energetic, but not dazzling; They are characterized by convincing subtlety of shades.

1. Homework

Once connected to your home network, you can stream music in high definition via Ethernet-connector Oppo.

2. Two of the casket

Two HDMI-output enable signals fed separately to the screen and the receiver, which will ensure the highest quality.

3. Back to the Future

In addition to the unbalanced and balanced XLR here offer multi audio output for connection to the old receiver is not equipped with HDMI-input or unsupported signal from SACD or DVD-Audio.

4. Select the desired frequency

Optical and coaxial digital inputs accept only streams with sample rates up to 96 kHz; if you want to listen to the files with a frequency of 192 kHz, apply them to the USB-port.

All aspects of image quality – from the processing of traffic to natural colors and low noise – here are excellent; This player is more perfect than even such a magnificent machine as Marantz UD7007. In fairness, both of these models are now sold in about half the price Oppo, 105D and so should be better to justify the high price – and he does.

DVD picture quality is no less impressive. Of course, the low resolution makes its own adjustments so that the display noise and motion artifacts, some are unavoidable. However, the film “Stoker” delighted us natural color and stunning detail dressing. Shaded objects, leaf color, flesh tones are exceptionally good.

Higher speed

Appendix «MediaControl» for iOS and Android works fine; it is the most convenient way to manage streaming over the network. He has the layout of the remote control and touchpad – the first one is faster and more convenient in the case.

Playing tracks in movies are not inferior in quality to the image. Strong, full-bodied sound very clean and subtlety that vote; explosions and other loud sounds shocking conviction and power. Detail extremely high, the sound remains coherent even in the most intense episodes. In this respect, Oppo also avoids competition with premium, creating a more interesting and exciting sound. This advantage is further strengthened during the transition to play music in stereo. All we listened, – Where the Green Grass Grows Eric Bibb on SACD, CD Carmina Burana concert or Missy Elliott format DVD-A – was executed consistently excellent. Sound inherent in a full-blooded character with a rich and powerful bass. Voice expressive and legible, the top shine and shine; they apply equally sharpness and finesse.

However, no matter how pleasant was the sound Oppo, he nedotyagivaet to higher standards of specialized music players; it lacks a bit of mobility and rhythmic drive. He played music sounds relaxed and calming, even if the author did not mean it. On the quality of playback BDP-105D can be compared with good players – such as the Marantz CD6005 – that is definitely higher than any direct competitor. Even the headphone output from Oppo is quite good; character it is close to the standard line output.

The same can be said about the built-in DAC with a signal from the MacBook or streaming files over the network. To the music of any genre Oppo suitable meticulously and convincingly. May sound a little bit lacking in inspiration, but not so much as to impair the enjoyment of listening.

If we consider the BDP-105D solely as a device to play Blu-ray-discs and DVD, the price seems too high. But if you are looking for an exceptionally talented player that is compatible with virtually any recording movies and music to a high standard, it is quite another thing; in which case the Oppo – exactly what you need.

Price: $ 1,800

Rating: 5

PROS: Excellent picture; great sound – stereo and multi-channel; a variety of formats; Design and finishing

CONS: Not the most informative display

VERDICT: If you are looking for players for all types of movies and music

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