Russound updates C-Series multiroom audio system software with Release 7-- now with additional streaming radio service access (namely Pandora and TuneIn), Apple AirPlay support and integration with control systems from other vendors.

The update covers the DMS-3.1 digital media streamer, TS3 colour touchscreen, MCA-C3/C5 multizone controller amplifier, MDK-C5/C6 multiline display keypad and My Russound MRA-3 app.

AirPlay support comes complete with song metadata on keypads, while 3rd party integration allows control of the DMS-3.1 streamer via Control4, Key Digital and RTI control systems.

Sony takes on the premium soundbars with the HT-ST7-- a 7.1 channel soundbar carrying 7 independent amplifiers and 9 discrete drivers together with a wireless subwoofer packing dual bass drivers.

Apparently fine tuned with the help of Academy award-winning sound engineer Paul Ottoson (Zero Dark Thirty, Spiderman 2), the HT-ST7 features Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding together with wireless Bluetooth and NFC connectivity with AAC and AptX support.

Wired connectivity is also catered for with Audio Return Channel, X3 HDMI, X3 digital audio and x1 analog audio inputs. Further features include built-in IR repeater, dimmable LCD info-screen and collapsible remote (included).

Go Sony HT-ST7

Meridian updates the portable Explorer DAC with the Director DAC-- a USB and coaxial/optical DAC promising "superior audio performance from digital sources" through proprietary technologies and audiophile-grade components.

The Director DAC is compatible with PCs and a wide variety of audio products, ranging Apple and Sonos products to legacy devices such as CD and DVD players, and features 24-bit-bit/192kHz sampling (96kHz recommended maximum for optical) from the flagship Meridian 800 series.

Upsampling (from 44.1/48kHz to 88.2/96kHz) technology and an apodising filter further enhance audio data.

Benchmark reveals the latest addition to the DAC2 audio converter family-- the DAC2 L, a converter identical in performance to the earlier DAC2 HGC but lacking the HPA2 headphone amplifier.

Ideal for speakers-only customers, the DAC L carries a Sabre32 reference conversion system (with four 32-bit audio converters per channel), 24bit/192kHz PCM, native DSD conversion, sample-rate and word-length displays, UltraLock2 jitter attenuation and an asynchronous USB 2.0 port.

It also carries a polarity switch, home theatre bypass, X5 digital and X3 analog inputs, digital pass-through, 12V trigger, remote control and low-noise power supplies.

The DAC2 L ships now with either black or silver machined-aluminium faceplates.

Go Benchmark DAC2 L

Tivoli launches a first with the Albergo-- a compact Bluetooth-equipped alarm clock radio featuring an AM/FM tuner with RDS, LCD display (for FM RDS text), alarm clock and stereo Bluetooth.

Wireless technology allows customers to pair the Albergo (Italian for "boutique hotel," by the way) with any Bluetooth-capable device for hassle-free audio streaming.

Further features include a sleep timer and an integrated auto-set clock for timekeeping even during power outages. The package includes a full-function remote, and an optional matching stereo speaker turns the Albergo into a tabletop stereo system.

Marantz launches a pair of additions to the M-CR network stereo receiver series-- the M-CR510 and M-CR610 wireless systems, both providing access to media from home networks, online streaming services and mobile devices.

The M-CR610 features an AM/FM tuner, embedded CD player and 4 amplification channels. The M-CR510 lacks tuner and CD player, and features a 2-channel amp.

Both are Windows8/RT-compatible and carry built-in wifi (with 802.11e certification), vTuner internet radio, AirPlay, DLNA 1.5 certification, USB ports on front and back, and support for Spotify, Pandora and Sirius XM streaming media services.

Supported audio formats include MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC and WAV.

Customers can control the receivers through either supplied remotes or Marantz iOS Remote App, and both feature an optical digital input allowing use as a DAC.

Go Marantz Announces M-CR510 and M-CR510 Wireless Network Stereo Receivers