ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS

This docking station does not require any driver installation allowing for seamless large-scale implementation

The DST-Pro 5K is a feature packed docking station designed to deliver unrivalled video output from Lindy.

Housed in a robust aluminium body, this dock delivers great additional connectivity for a PC or other device. A space-saving stand is also included to help keep any workspace clutter-free.

When it comes to external display resolution, Lindy argues this docking station stands out from the crowd. With support for a single display resolution of 5K at 60Hz (DisplayPort), users can connect a laptop with some of the industry’s leading displays and monitors. There is also support for dual display (5K at 60Hz and 4K at 60Hz) and triple display (One 4K at 60Hz, two 4K at 30Hz) setups. So, whether one, two or three displays is needed, simply plug in a laptop and allow the DST-Pro 5K to provide Ultra HD resolutions through a single USB-C connection. The docking station delivers additional connectivity. SuperSpeed USB (5Gbps), Gigabit Ethernet, SD, microSD, HDMI, DisplayPort and a 3.5mm combo jack, are all featured. This allows for improved internet speeds, greater storage capacity and a comprehensive desktop experience. This docking station comes with a 24W PSU (Power Supply Unit) to ensure that there is enough power for the docking station to function without needing to take any power from any device’s connected charger. Thanks to the integrated PD 3.0 port, users can plug a USB-C charger into the docking station and experience up to 100W pass-through charging (depending on the charger’s capabilities). The USB-A port on the front of the dock also has support for Battery Charging 1.2, meaning users can charge mobile devices with 5V and up to 1.5A.

Lindy Electronics lindy.co.uk

PLACE SOME PLATINUM COURTESY OF MONITOR AUDIO

Monitor Audio has enhanced its Platinum Series 3G speaker offering with a new architectural, installed in-wall model.

Platinum Series In-Wall 3G is a versatile highfidelity in-wall loudspeaker that features the latest Platinum Series 3G acoustic innovations, including the MPD III High-Frequency Transducer. The maker says it delivers extraordinary performance levels to match the exceptional build and highly desirable design of the range’s freestanding models.

A high-performance flagship model, it is designed for high-end two-channel stereo and theatre systems where accurate, clear and lifelike sound is required. The speaker has been designed to deliver maximum scale and sonic impact, but with minimum room intrusion. Plus, its versatile design means it can be used anywhere in a system, either as an LCR model at the front or as a surround or rear speaker.

The three-way PL-IW 3G features the new third generation Micro Pleated Diaphragm (MPD III) high-frequency transducer. Developed by Monitor Audio’s acoustic engineers when creating the company’s ‘Concept 50’ prototype, this accurate tweeter was unveiled earlier this year as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

MPD III introduces innovative technology that reduces distortion and flattens the frequency response, while the optimised waveguide provides highly controlled directivity, improving both soundstage and sensitivity. This all leads to a larger, clearer, and more consistent sound, allowing PL-IW 3G to create an impressive immersive experience: music and film are delivered with precision and clarity, introducing the listener to high levels of accuracy and detail, argues the company.

PL-IW 3G is housed within a reinforced and internally braced 25mm MDF and steel box construction and is equipped with an adjustable mid/high-frequency driver array, similar to that deployed in the THX Ultra certified Cinergy Theatre series. This approach allows PL-IW 3G to be positioned either vertically or horizontally, ideal for LCR applications and for seamless tonal accuracy within a theatre system.

Monitor Audio monitoraudio.com

The Platinum Series In-Wall 3G will be available in January 2023

PLUG HEADPHONES INTO IFI ‘GO LINK’ FOR SUPERCHARGED SOUND

UK SRP is from £400 (1m) and are available to order now

Wireworld Cable Technology has announced the release of the Stellar 48, a UHS certified fiber optic HDMI cable.

These extended-range cables feature Wireworld’s newly developed VIVIDTECH system, created to reduce noise for improved picture and sound quality. Stellar 48 also uses the highest quality laser modules and driver chips to maximise performance and provide long term reliability while supporting the 48Gbps data rate required for next generation 8K video applications, explains the maker.

“The VIVIDTECH system improves signal purity, enabling Stellar 48 to provide the most lifelike picture and sound quality in long length Ultra-High Speed HDMI cables,” comments Wireworld designer and President, David Salz.

Wireworld’s goal for Stellar 48 was to create a fibre optic HDMI cable that advances the state-of-the-art in picture quality while providing extreme reliability. To accomplish that goal, the company says Stellar 48 uses world-class technology, materials and construction techniques. The newly developed and proprietary VIVIDTECH system reduces video pixel noise for improvements in edge definition and colour saturation. Stellar 48’s laser modules are made by the American company II-VI, a leading supplier of lasers for the most demanding applications. Likewise, the driver chipset is produced by the German company, Silicon-Line, a leader in microchip technology. The cable’s four optical fibres are of the superior OM3 laser-optimised grade. The cable structure features double-thickness shields and several high strength Kevlar fibre bundles for increased durability and freedom from interference. With these world-class components and the VIVIDTECH system, Stellar 48 provides cutting edge performance and superior long-term value.

Stellar 48 supports all HDMI2.1 features and capabilities, including HDR10+, HDCP2.3, Ethernet, Enhanced ARC and Deep Colour. To ease installation, the durable die-cast zinc plugs feature the narrow width of 18mm/0.7in, so they can be pulled through common size electrical conduit. Stellar 48 is also ULCMP/FT6 plenum rated for residential and commercial installations. UK SRP is from £400 (1m) and are available to order now.

Wireworld wireworldcable.com

Packing in sophisticated sonic technology into a 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, the latest addition to iFi’s GO series delivers superior sound at a super-affordable price, says the maker. iFi Audio expands its GO series of ultraportable DAC/headphone amps with the GO link – a headphone dongle that delivers supercharged sound when connected to smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs via a USB port.

Its purpose is twofold. First, to enable corded headphones and earphones to connect to digital devices that don’t have a 3.5mm headphone output. Second, even if a device does have a headphone socket, the GO link delivers a big sonic upgrade. This is because its sophisticated DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) and headphone amp circuitry is superior to the audio tech contained within mobile devices and computers.

The GO link draws on the experience iFi has gained in developing a range of multi-award-winning DACs at a wide spread of prices

Even for a company known for producing class-leading audio devices at affordable prices, the GO link’s price is remarkable - claims its creator, with an RRP of just £59, it’s the most affordable DAC/headphone amp iFi has ever made. And yet, even at this price, iFi says it has delivered a device of high sophistication.

At one end of the GO link is a USB-C connector, at the other is the DAC and headphone amp circuitry, both housed in robust yet lightweight magnesium alloy enclosures. In between is a 6cm length of flexible cable – this aids practicality, allowing the DAC/amp section to be angled towards the listener and reducing stress on the USB port to which the GO link is connected. iFi hasn’t skimped on the quality of the cable, which uses silver-plated copper conductors with individual polymer insulation in a ‘twisted pair’ configuration. This rotational twist helps to optimise inductance and capacitance and also aids noise rejection, ensuring the GO link’s sound isn’t affected by electromagnetic interference picked up from nearby electrical sources.

iFi Audio ifi-audio.com

The system is available now on NETGEAR.com

NETGEAR has launched a new addition to its Orbi line. The Orbi 860 Series builds on the Orbi 850 Series by future-proofing it with a 10Gb ethernet port, supporting multi-gig internet connections; upgraded antenna design for greater WiFi performance and a bundled year of NETGEAR Armor, providing homes with an automatic shield of security against internet threats across every connected device.

Following on the success of the Orbi 850 Series (WiFi 6 AX6000 Mesh System RBK853), the Orbi 860 Series joins NETGEAR’s WiFi 6 Whole Home Mesh WiFi portfolio.

With NETGEAR’s latest WiFi 6 tri-band and patented dedicated backhaul technology, the Orbi 860 Series mesh systems are designed to keep connections strong and running at maximum speeds in every room without slowdowns or buffering, providing families the bandwidth to address household demands even when simultaneously 4K/8K streaming, Zoom conferencing and WiFi calling from a bedroom, basement or outside in the back garden. In an environment where homes are connected with Gigabit plus internet (1.4 to 10 Gigabit) and have an increasing number of connected devices – more than 25 on average – the new Orbi 860 Series provides a strong WiFi experience for WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 devices. It’s an upgrade from the Orbi 850 series with a stepped-up internet connection, from 1 Gigabit to 10 Gigabit, and new antenna system with wider coverage areas.

The Orbi RBK863 three-pack WiFi Mesh System provides up to 6750ft2 of coverage (750 more than the 850 Series) with up to 6Gbps WiFi speed and support for 100 devices operating at the same time. This coverage can easily be expanded with additional Orbi RBS860 satellites. To achieve this performance and wider range, NETGEAR uses patented dedicated backhaul WiFi technology and antenna design. The exclusive tri-band mesh system with NETGEAR’s pioneering innovation ensures speeds stay fast as more WiFi devices connect to the home network with less dropped connections.

Netgear netgear.com

SCORE A HUNDRED FROM ACOUSTIC ENERGY

Following the launch of the new 100 Series earlier this year, Acoustic Energy is proud to announce the addition of an on-wall loudspeaker, the AE105, to its range.

The AE105 is a versatile, two-way loudspeaker primarily designed for wall mounting, but is equally suited to a bookcase or shelf position.

The AE105 utilises a soft dome tweeter with WDT wave guide along with two 130mm paper cone drivers, one acting as a passive radiator for improved bass performance. Optimised for vertical wall mounting with the listening position at or below the tweeter axis, the AE105 can be used to enhance the stereo sound from a TV, or as Front L/R, Centre and Surround channel speakers within multi-channel home cinema systems whilst partnered with the matching AE1082 compact sub-woofer.

Finished in a choice of black, white or walnut vinyl veneers, they are supplied with rear mounting plate, template, wall spacers, black and light grey grilles for easy integration within any room décor.

Mat Spandl, Managing Director comments, “We’re pleased to be able to offer the new AE105 as part of our award-winning 100 Series range. The AE105 is a compact design for those whose living space is at a premium but don’t want to compromise on sound quality. Whether used as part of a 2.1 / 5.1 system or in stereo

The AE105 will retail for £224.99 (each) and is available in the UK now configuration the AE105 are equally at home on a bookshelf as well as mounted on the wall”.

Finishes include Black, White and Walnut vinyl veneer.

Acoustic Energy acoustic-energy.co.uk

Since its introduction in mid-2021 the RS250 network streamer from HiFi Rose has found a happy home in many audio systems thanks to its compact footprint, sound quality and user interface, says the maker. From December 2022, distributor Henley Audio is happy to announce that the Korean company is updating its ‘mid-level’ product with new hardware and a new finish option.

The RS250A (£2349.00 SRP) takes the original RS250 design but replaces the digital section and output stage, including upgrading to the ES9028 PRO DAC chip, for a higher level of performance. In addition to the hardware changes, the RS250A is also now available in black finish thanks to customer demand. Both silver and black finish will be available across the UK, offering customers to make a choice that suits their system.

The RS250A is designed to bring together a whole world of digital audio and present it intuitively and enjoyably for auditory and visual pleasure.

Some of the key features include an 8.8in wide multi-touch touchscreen, support for digital audio playback up-to 32-bit / 768KHz (PCM) and DSD512 (Native DSD) and a new ES9028 PRO DAC chip and 100MHz Femto oscillator. There is also a new Discrete OPAMPbased output stage and users can stream music from a network or attached devices through the built-in Rose OS MUSIC app.

Airplay, Roon Ready and Spotify Connect streaming are all available and the unit boasts integrated apps for Qobuz, Apple Music and Tidal services. The product is also a MQA certified device (full decoding) and it can also playback or rip CDs from external optical drives whilst connected by USB.

Users can manually adjust output settings to suit their needs and a special linear power supply configuration minimises electrical noise. Users can also take advantage of an HDMI output for 4K video output to a connected TV (via Tidal, Rose Tube or Video apps).

Henley Audio henleyaudio.co.uk

Wi-Fi, ethernet and Bluetooth 4.0 (AD2DP SINK, AVRCP v1.3) connectivity are also included

NETVIO ADD CONFIGURATION FREE AVOIP SWITCH TO JP4 SOLUTIONS

Netvio launched its preconfigured plug’n’play AVoIP switch at EI Live! 2022, and the line is now available to order. This switch extends the JP4 product offering, giving customers a complete AVoIP solution from a single brand without the headaches of choosing the right switch or complex multicast configuration.

The IP-SW-24P-10 is a dedicated AVoIP switch designed for use with Netvio and other manufacturers’ AV over IP solutions. It comes configured for multicast AVoIP solutions, requiring zero configuration for Netvio JP4 systems with up to 21 encoder or decoder end points. All ports are labelled dramatically simplifying and speeding up installation, whilst VLANs are pre-configured for the JP4 series 1080p RTSP preview and 4K HDR AVoIP streams. All ports support PoE with an ample total POE budget of 450 Watts, enough to power all connected devices simultaneously.

James Meredith, Netvio’s Technical Director, explains, “In the years I have been working with high performance AV over IP solutions, the networking hardware and configuration has continuously proved to be the tripping point for customers moving from HDBaseT to network-based solutions. Multicast & VLAN configuration as well as specifying hardware with enough POE budget requirements are the steepest part of the learning curve for new customers. With the release of the IP-SW24P-10 AVoIP switch, Netvio makes using our JP4 AVoIP system as easy as HDBaseT with ‘plug n’ play’, zero config setup in most installation scenarios.”

James adds, “We have carefully selected hardware components to perfectly match our customers requirement for both maximum performance and value. Whilst Netvio’s UK based engineers have finely tuned the system configuration to meet our company mandate to ‘Simplify Complexity’ by making a switch that perfectly suits AVoIP hardware requirements and completely removes the minefield of switch configuration from the setup process.”

Netvio netvio.co.uk