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BMW/MINI Y-ISO HARNESS

HARMAN Professional Solutions has completed its acquisition of FLUX SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, a notable event that's stirring discussions and positive reactions in the audio technology community. This strategic move is being lauded as a significant enhancement to HARMAN's capabilities, particularly in the realms of immersive audio solutions, processing, and analysis across various domains including live production, installation sound, content creation, and post-production.

Professionals and enthusiasts in the audio industry view this acquisition as a synergistic union that combines FLUX's innovative software technology with HARMAN’s extensive hardware and software engineering resources. There's a palpable excitement about the potential for new, culturally significant audio experiences and advancements in technology resulting from this collaboration.

Brian Divine, President of HARMAN Professional Solutions, and Gaël Martinet, Founder and CEO of FLUX SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, both expressed their enthusiasm and optimism for the future, highlighting the prospects of empowering artists, designers, and engineers with comprehensive and innovative product offerings. The general consensus is that this move sets the stage for future innovations, bringing together the passion and expertise of both teams to create groundbreaking audio solutions.

This acquisition is seen as a strategic investment by HARMAN, aiming to bring outstanding immersive experiences to live and recorded productions, and is anticipated to make a significant impact on the audio industry, elevating the standards for audio experiences and technological developments.

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HARMAN Acquires FLUX: Ushering in Advanced Immersive Audio Solutions

Innovative audio solutions on the horizon as HARMAN acquires FLUX SOFTWARE, aiming to redefine immersive sound experiences.


In a significant move that's stirring excitement in the audiophile community, Aavik, the renowned Danish audio brand, has unveiled its latest masterpiece – the Aavik SD-880 Streaming DAC. As the newest member of its flagship 880 series, the SD-880 marks Aavik's ambitious foray into the streaming DAC market.

**Innovative Technology for Unparalleled Sound**

The Aavik SD-880 is distinguished by its revolutionary Non-switching Continuum Processing DAC technology. This in-house developed method dramatically transforms the digital-to-analog conversion process. By upsampling digital signals to an astounding 22 MHz, the Aavik SD-880 maintains a continuous analog waveform, effectively eliminating the digital artifacts that often mar digital audio sources.

**Design: A Fusion of Art and Engineering**

The design of the SD-880 is a testament to Aavik's commitment to both aesthetic elegance and functional excellence. The unit is encased in solid copper, with a unique sandwich construction at its base, integrating copper, compact laminate, and titanium layers to minimize resonance. This meticulous attention to detail extends to the inclusion of Tesla coil arrangements and Ansuz Darkz resonance control devices, ensuring an audio output that's as pure as it is powerful.

**Connectivity and Specifications**

Addressing the needs of modern audiophiles, the Aavik SD-880 comes equipped with a comprehensive array of digital inputs, including BNC S/PDIF, optical TOSLINK, and USB-B, alongside various output options. The device also features network connectivity via an Ethernet RJ45 port and USB-A ports for external drives.

**Weighty in Both Presence and Performance**

The Aavik SD-880 is as substantial in its physical presence as it is in its audio performance, weighing in at 33 kg. Its dimensions are 580 x 155 x 510 mm, making it a commanding presence in any high-end audio setup.

**Pricing and Availability**

Reflecting its top-tier status, the Aavik SD-880 is priced at $70,000 in the US and £67,000 in the UK. This positions it as a premium offering in the high-end audio market.

**Closing Thoughts**

With the launch of the SD-880, Aavik not only cements its place in the high-end audio market but also pushes the boundaries of what's possible in digital audio reproduction. The Aavik SD-880 is more than just a piece of equipment; it's an artistic statement in the world of audiophile technology.

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Breaking the Bank for Sound Excellence Aavik SD-880 Priced at $70,000

Discover the Aavik SD-880 Streaming DAC: Revolutionary Non-switching Continuum Processing for unparalleled audio clarity


This year marks a significant milestone for Cayin as they celebrate 30 years of audio excellence with the introduction of their prestigious Pearl series at the Munich High End Show. The series features advanced audio components including the Pearl 30i integrated amplifier, Pearl 30d digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and Pearl 30c CD-transport, each designed to elevate the high-fidelity listening experience to new heights.

**Innovative Engineering and Audiophile Excellence**

The Pearl 30c CD-Transport embodies a blend of analog feel with digital precision. It is equipped with the Philips VAU1255/31LF CD-PRO2 drive and features an advanced digital audio jitter cleaner and a clock source synchronization to minimize jitter and enhance sound quality. Its design incorporates a BNC coaxial cable for reference clock transmission, ensuring optimal signal integrity and clock quality. Additionally, the Pearl 30c offers an upsampling function and separate power supplies housed in different enclosures to isolate electrical components and preserve audio purity.

The Pearl 30d DAC stands out with its dual decoder circuits: a classic setup with Philips TDA1307 and two TDA1547 chips for a nostalgic sound signature, and a modern array using eight ESS ES9039SPRO flagship DAC chips configured in mono mode for robust audio output with high dynamics and low noise. This DAC supports high-resolution PCM and DSD decoding, capable of handling up to 768 kHz and DSD512, respectively. The power supply is meticulously engineered with separate units for different components, featuring high-performance parts and dual Type-C transformers to ensure effective power distribution.

Both devices are constructed from high-quality materials, including aviation-grade cables and connectors, ensuring durability and high fidelity sound. They also offer extensive connectivity options, including multiple digital and analog outputs and the capability to integrate external clocks to synchronize with other digital devices, enhancing the overall audio quality of the system.

**Aesthetic Elegance Meets Technological Innovation**

Designed for audiophiles who appreciate a mix of aesthetic elegance and advanced technological innovation, the Pearl series sets new standards in the audio industry. The products are not only a tribute to Cayin's three decades of delivering excellent audio quality but also represent the pinnacle of sound technology.

At the HIGH END show in Munich, the new additions to the Pearl series will be demonstrated alongside the Cayin Pearl 30i and paired with Zingali Client EVO 3.15 three-way horn speakers, known for their exquisitely crafted bass reflex cabinets. This setup will be showcased in Hall 4, Stand V14/W15, offering attendees a firsthand experience of Cayin's latest innovations.

The Pearl series by Cayin exemplifies the culmination of 30 years of passion and expertise in high-end audio design, promising an unmatched auditory experience for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

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Cayin Celebrates 30 Years with the Launch of High-End Pearl Series at Munich High End Show 2024

Cayin is an audio brand known for their high-quality audio products.

Cayin

Celebrate 30 years of Cayin's audio excellence with the Pearl series debut at the Munich High End Show 2024. Discover the new standard in high-fidelity sound.

BMW/MINI Y-ISO HARNESS

by Focal

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Interesting articles

HARMAN Acquires FLUX: Ushering in Advanced Immersive Audio Solutions

Breaking the Bank for Sound Excellence Aavik SD-880 Priced at $70,000

Cayin Celebrates 30 Years with the Launch of High-End Pearl Series at Munich High End Show 2024