Informative White Paper on USB Type-C for Audio and Video Professionals

C2G part of Legrand, is helping to educate AV and technology professionals on the ins and outs of USB4 and Type-C interfaces in its latest white paper, “A Comprehensive Guide to USB4 & Type-C for AV Pros.” The white paper, written by Legrand's AV Technology Evangelist Joseph D. Cornwall, CTS-D/I, provides foundational knowledge of these new standards so AV and technology professionals can make the best connectivity design decisions.

Creative Technology launched the Sound Blaster X1, an updated version of its SXFI AMP introduced in 2018, offering an improved USB DAC and headphone amplifier in the same exact compact form-factor. The Sound Blaster X1 combines the company's Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine with its Super X-Fi Headphone Holography technology, one of the earliest attempts at a binaural spatial audio engine. The difference is that the Sound Blaster X1 is now targeted for all computer audio needs.

This article reviews a patent originally granted to inventors Philip R. Clements; (Tempe, AZ), Boaz Shalev; (Needham, MA), and James Joseph Croft, III; (Bellevue, WA), which has now expired. The patent describes a low-frequency transducer system with a multi-compression chamber, where an inverse horn structure is employed in combination with a resonance-distortion filter chamber. This was the third patent granted on Atlantic Technology’s low frequency system known by the trademark name H-PAS (High Pressure Acceleration System). This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2016.

This DIY-focused article introduces the Pentriode, a concept to explore the familiar idea of connecting commonly available pentode tubes as triodes, creating a circuit that excels in linearity. The Pentriode is formed by making one simple change to connect the screen grid to the cathode of a cathode follower. The article proposes different possible approaches, including for a mu stage, a design that the author previously wrote about for audioXpress. This article was originally published in audioXpress, May 2022.

Linear Integrated Systems, the world class producer of ultra-low-noise JFETS and other small-signal discrete semiconductors, has announced the re-release of its LSK489 discrete component with specialized parameter grading. The LSK489 is one of the world's premier JFETs optimized for use in high-end sensor front-end amplification designs, and the re-release in 2022 introduces improved manufacturing consistency.

With the entirely new TAD 6V6GT-STR REDBASE, German company Tube Amp Doctor Musikhandels GmbH introduced a new family member to their REDBASE high quality premium tube series. An ideal tube for Fender Deluxe Tweed 5E3 or Blackface Princeton Reverb guitar amps, single ended Class A amps like the Fender Tweed Champ, Vibro Champ, Fender Champion 600 or the Univalve. As the company explains, many boutique amp builders have already embraced the TAD 6V6GT-STR REDBASE and the company is ready to ship worldwide!

USound, the Austrian pioneer of MEMS speakers, announced the release of an audio module designed to enhance the performance of true wireless earbuds and hearing aids, enabling new degrees of design freedom. As USound underscores, with this new integrated solution, manufacturers can create more ergonomic and comfortable designs, with extended battery life and audio quality, while the form factor of hearing aids and TWS earbuds can be considerably reduced.

Lithe Audio, the UK-based manufacturer of wireless audio systems for residential and commercial installations, announced that its lineup of all-in-one ceiling, surface, and garden speakers is now available to the US market. Featuring an integrated amplifier, connectivity, and high-quality speaker components in one device, each system requires only a power source for installation, making it simple for integrators to deliver pristine audio streaming in single rooms, distributed systems, and outdoors while enabling the creation of wireless surround-sound home theater systems.

Broadcast equipment manufacturer Inovonics, Inc. was initially financed and has been wholly owned by Jim Wood and his immediate family following the founding of the company in 1972. Jim managed Inovonics until 2006, the year he turned day-to-day operations over to COO Ben Barber. Ben was elevated to President/CEO in 2012. Now, after 50 years leading Inovonics, Jim Wood steps down and passes the torch to CEO Ben Barber.

Pro-Ject announced the first products in its upcoming collection of truly balanced high-performance turntables. The new X1 B and X2 B are the brand’s first turntables with dedicated, fully balanced mini XLR outputs. This connection optimizes the performance of Moving Coil cartridges when used with a compatible phono preamplifier. For out-of-box compatibility with the widest array of equipment and to keep the price down, a Sumiko Rainier Moving Magnet cartridge is factory installed for immediate enjoyment via the turntables’ RCA unbalanced outputs.