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Sherwood Newcastle |
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New A/V receivers
Sherwood is announcing two new additions to their A/V receiver lineup: the R-963 and R-863. Both are DVD-audio and SACD enabled with audio bandwidth that exceeds 100kHz for all seven channels of built-in amplification. The two receivers include a wide range of signal processing capabilities including Dolby Digital Matrix 6.1, DTS ES Discrete and Matrix, DTS-Neo, Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Pro Logic II, along with Dolby Virtual Surround. Both models include six digital inputs made up of four TosLink and two coaxial digital connectors. In addition, the front panel input now includes left and right audio, composite and S-Video capability, plus an additional TosLink optical input. Both receivers also have four rear panel A/V inputs with S-Video, a pair of component inputs, digital optical output and a dedicated Room 2 A/V feed.
The new models have 7 discrete amplifiers on-board, with the R-963 rated at 120 watts per channel in stereo and surround modes with 20Hz to 20kHz with no more than 0.05% THD. The R-863 provides 100 watts per channel. The R-963 upgrades to better stereo reproduction over the R-863 by utilizing an Analog Devices AD-1896 processor to up-sample PCM stereo input to a 192kHz sampling rate with 24-bit word length, using 192kHz/24-bit DACs for all 8 channels. The R-963 also offers HDTV-ready component inputs with a video bandwidth flat to 40MHz; both models include progressive scan compatibility. Room 2 output can be configured for variable or fixed audio output and includes both composite and S-Video capability. The R-963 can even be reconfigured to use the two rear channel amps to drive the second zone while still maintaining 5.1 amplification in the main room.
The R-963 will ship with Universal Remote Control's Home Theater Master MX-1000 LCD touchscreen remote control, while the R-863 will include the Home Theater Master SL-9000. Suggested retail prices are $1999.95 for the R-963 and $1199.95 for the R-863, both available in May 2001.
Additional features for the R-863 include a 7.1 channel direct input, 7.1 channel bass management, auto format detection, 5 DSP modes, analog bypass mode, on-screen display, full 8-channel preamplifier outputs, 4 audio inputs, independent video record out selector, dual video outputs, an advanced AM/FM tuner with 30 presets, headphone jack and display dimmer. The R-863 adds component video to S-Video/composite output conversion, a "room 2" remote control, plus 5 audio inputs including phono.
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