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Archives for February 2003

Mackie Designs Restructures with Investment and Cash Infusion from Sun Capital, Stock Trades on OTC Instead of NASDAQ

February 14, 2003 by Leave a Comment

In an arrangement expected to close by today, Mackie Designs has agreed to an equity investment by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, a Boca Raton-based private investment firm.

Related to the restructuring, Mackie has voluntarily delisted its publicly-traded common stock from the NASDAQ exchange, and has obtained approval to trade the shares (MKIE) on NASD’s Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, or OTC Bulletin Board.

Mackie is widely known and highly regarded in the professional audio field as a leading manufacturer of consoles, mixers, studio and stage monitors, power amplifiers, audio processing software and control devices, for sound reinforcement, recording studio, installed sound, and custom home install markets. Company brands include EAW and RCF Precision, in addition to the Mackie label.

Sun Capital is acquiring approximately 9.8 million shares of Mackie common stock, roughly 65% of Mackie’s total common stock outstanding, through the purchase of approximately 7.4 million outstanding shares from certain selling shareholders and approximately 2.4 million newly issued shares for a total of about $10 million in cash.

“We are excited about this transaction,” said Mackie CEO Jamie Engen. “Upon closing, Mackie will receive approximately $6.3 million in fresh capital. Just as important, we also expect to benefit from the active support and hands-on participation of Sun Capital in assisting us to improve existing operations and to pursue potential new opportunities.”

Mr. Engen added that although company founder Greg Mackie is selling a portion of his shares in the transaction with Sun Capital, he will remain a shareholder and will enter into an exclusive consulting agreement with Mackie at closing.

Speaking for Sun Capital Partners, vice president Jason Neimark commented: “We are excited about our investment – Mackie has a strong brand, loyal customer base, and solid work force. We look forward to working with the management team to fully leverage these strong attributes and to position the company for long-term success.”

Mr. Engen adds, “We are focused on reducing costs and increasing productivity throughout the organization, including the rationalization of Mackie’s global manufacturing operations, R&D, and product lines. We are making progress in these efforts, and welcome the involvement of Sun Capital as an active partner in the next phase of our growth.”

Mackie Designs Web Site

Filed Under: Biz

Pioneer’s New 2003 Car Audio Head Units Feature D4Q Digital Tuners, MP3 and WMA Support

February 14, 2003 by Leave a Comment

Pioneer GB’s Car Audio Division has launched a new range of auto sound head units for the UK market.

The new line-up of CD tuners includes 6 models (DEH-1500R, DEH-P2500R, DEH-P3500MP, DEH-P4500R, DEH-P5500MP and DEH-P6500R), packed with the latest high-tech digital technology and state-of-the-art audio features.

Pioneer's new top-of-the-line DEH-P6500R in-dash tuner offers advanced sound-enhancing technology and IP-Bus expansion options

A key component of the new models is Pioneer’s ‘Digital For Quality’ D4Q tuner, the company’s first digital AM/FM tuner, which it says provides new clarity in radio reception.

Other highlights of the 2003 models include exceptional in-dash display features, and playback of various digital music formats such as MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA).

The new Pioneer DEH-P5500MP tuner offers both MP3 and WMA audio file playback, as well as a large multi-colour display

“Our 2003 CD tuner line-up represents Pioneer’s commitment to providing drivers with high performance CD tuners featuring superior audio capabilities,” says Martin Fuller, Product Manager, Car Audio Division, Pioneer GB Limited.

“As more consumers expect pure and precise radio signals and choose to store music digitally, Pioneer is expanding its product offerings with the latest sound enhancing technology and high-tech digital features, such as D4Q, MP3 playback and WMA.”

Digital For Quality

Pioneer’s entire 2003 line-up of in-car CD tuners features D4Q which refers to ‘digital for quality.’ D4Q combines an analog front end with digital processing that delivers crisp, clear radio reception.

Key features of D4Q tuner technology:

  • Superior sensitivity, ensuring the weakest of signals can be received
  • Low multipath noise, enabling signal differentiation and selection in high signal reflection areas, such as cities and mountains
  • High resistance to interference, detecting adjacent signals and/or interference and effectively tuning them out before any undesirable noises can be heard
  • A smooth RDS network following, safeguarding the signal from changing stations whilst seamlessly switching signals where appropriate

DEH-1500R

The DEH-1500R is the most affordable CD tuner in the new range. In addition to the D4Q tuner, this unit is equipped with an outstanding sound system incorporating Pioneer’s EEQ Easy Equaliser system offering a host of equaliser controls that can be custom tailored by the driver ensuring quality sound. If that wasn’t enough, drivers can crank up the volume using the 4x45W amplifier.

DEH-P2500R

The DEH-P2500R is a sophisticated CD tuner with D4Q tuning, a built-in MOSFET amplifier offering unrivalled audio quality and Pioneer’s EEQ system. An IP-Bus connection opens up a wealth of entertainment options for passengers – allowing the addition of the latest in-car items such as a DVD player or TV tuner. Drivers also have the added bonus of digitally expanding their music collection as the tuner can easily be connected to a portable MiniDisc or MP3 player.

DEH-P3500MP

The DEH-P3500MP transforms the car into a mobile multimedia centre, allowing drivers to take even more of their favourite music on the road thanks to a built-in MP3 player. Multiple IP-Bus controls allow users to customise their entertainment centre by adding a DVD player, TV tuner or multi-CD player. Excellent sound quality is guaranteed through a MOSFET 50W power amplifier, EEQ and two RCA pre-outs, which allow the connection of amplifiers and speakers for the ultimate sound experience. The stylish front panel design and pure white colour LED display add the finishing touch.

DEH-P4500R

The DEH-P4500R is an outstanding, multifunction CD tuner giving the driver total control over the sound system. Two RCA pre-outs are bundled with the tuner, enabling users to custom tune speakers and amps, while EEQ is coupled with LPF/HPF to offer precision tuning and EQ-EX allows the driver to instantly accentuate the equaliser curves simply at the touch of a button. Additionally, the large multi-colour LCD display with its striking design, combined with Pioneer’s ever popular pop-out rotary volume, gives this tuner a sleek and eye catching look.

DEH-P5500MP

The DEH-P5500MP offers compatibility with both MP3 playback and WMA providing a superb array of music options, important features for the digitally minded driver. Besides the D4Q, drivers can rest assured that the sound experience will be at its greatest with EEQ+ precision tuning featuring LPH/HPF (Low Pass Filter/High Pass Filter), Direct Sub Drive and EQ-EX built into the tuner. Similar to the DEH-P4500R, a large multi-colour display with an integrated volume control is also included. This product is also available in a sleek black finish, with red key illumination, as the DEH-P5530MP.

DEH-P6500R

The DEH-P6500R is a superior tuner loaded with features offering extraordinary sound enhancing technology and a white and blue display panel with multimedia functionality. The Easy Equaliser (EEQ+) coupled with the EQ-EX ensures sound is delivered perfectly whilst the Auto Sound Leveliser (ASL) compensates against any exterior noise from the road. In addition, the D4Q tuner provides prefect, crisp AM/FM reception under the most demanding driving conditions. The Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) display provides excellent visibility through a wide viewing angle and a Direct Key Operation mode guides the driver through various ‘key’ functions at the touch of a button. The display’s smart functionality also includes multiple entertainment features, such as screen savers and unique 3D visuals. Multiple IP-Bus connections are also included and allow users to expand their in-car entertainment experience with a DVD player, DAB tuner or TV tuner.

Pioneer GB Web Site

Filed Under: Car

Rotel’s Stylish New Home Theater Processor Boasts color LCD Panel and High-End Design

February 13, 2003 by Leave a Comment

The new flagship of Rotel‘s line-up of home theater electronics, the RSP-1098 surround audio A/V preamp/processor, sports a stylish look and outward simplicity that hides a powerful feature set and rigorous engineering that lies behind the front panel.

The RSP-1098 is a multizone/multisource controller with 8 analog inputs, 8 assignable digital inputs, 5 analog A-V inputs, 4 HD component video monitor inputs, plus 7.1 channel analog audio in. It provides a full array of surround audio capabilities, with decoders for Dolby Digital, Dolby EX, Dolby Pro-logic II, dts, dtsES, dts ES Discrete, dts Neo 6 and HDCD audio formats.

Rotel's flagship RSP-1098 home theater A/V processor will be available in March 2003, suggested retail price of $2,999 (US).

The new processor features a full-color LCD display integrated into its front panel for system-control and on-screen menu navigation. The display can also be used for monitoring a video source, or even a remote entryway or security camera.

“The RSP-1098 is Rotel’s most sophisticated product to date,” says Mike Bartlett, Rotel of America’s vice president and general manager. “So we worked harder than ever to ‘keep it simple’ on the outside. But beyond the elegant look and unique ergonomic achievements, the 1098 is pure Rotel, with the fully-integrated performance and full-system excellence our ‘Balanced Design’ concept delivers.”

The RSP-1098 faceplate is elegant and simple, showing only the inset full-color LCD screen flanked by two knobs and key pushbutton controls. Inside, the circuitry is characaterized by Rotel’s obsessively “over-engineered” approach.

The power supply features Rotel-manufactured dual-toroidal power transformers. It provides generous current reserves thanks to a bank of specially-made low-ESR capacitors with pure, rock-steady voltage and current supplies, segregated for each circuit family. The power supply provides the underpinnings Rotel considers critical to superb sonics.

The audio and video circuitry of the RSP-1098 is also rigorously engineered, with function-oriented individual circuit boards carefully spaced and isolated to eliminate signal contamination.

Crystal Semiconductor 24-bit/192 kHz digital-to-analog converters on all channels, and the latest-generation, ultra-high-speed Cirrus Logic 32-bit DSP engine combine to deliver the complete range of current-day surround modes. Support is included for Dolby Digital EX and Pro Logic II, DTS ES-Matrix/Discrete, and DTS Neo:6 processing. There’s also Rotel’s proprietary, 7.1-channel Extra Surround mode, able to conjure up advanced multichannel sound from virtually any source.

The RSP-1098 is fully software-upgradeable, providing for the possibility of additional audio processing features in the future.

8-channel analog outputs and uniquely flexible, individual-channel crossover setup control make the RSP-1098 adaptable to virtually any home-theater system layout. 8 assignable digital inputs and five analog A-V inputs handle any combination of source components.

The new preamp/processor features four selectable, wideband component-video inputs (enough to accommodate the most elaborate setup). It maintains studio-quality video bandwidth on all video signal paths and switches, ensuring that image quality will match its exceptional audio capabilities.

Rotel’s independent multi-source/multi-zone design lets the RSP-1098 serve up audio and video to a remote room even while the home-theater room is in full, multichannel swing. Independent main and remote-zone IR inputs, a fully-functional RS-232 computer-style interface, discrete on/off command structure, and four individually assignable 12-volt triggers provide enough control interconnectivity to make the Rotel preamp/processor a highly competent full-system media controller as well.

Rotel has put a lot of effort into the RR-1050 remote control handset supplied with the RSP-1098. This powerfully ergonomic controller, with its backlit LCD screen for instant user-feedback in any room lighting, replaces up to 10 different remotes with a single simple, smoothly integrated commander. Extensive macro capability and a sliding cover to conceal programming-only buttons keep the sleek handset simple and unintimidating for all users.

The RSP-1098 is available in two finishes: matte black, or a 2-tone matte-silver and black.

Rotel Web Site

Filed Under: Tech

Rotel’s Stylish New Home Theater Processor Boasts color LCD Panel and High-End Design

February 13, 2003 by Leave a Comment

The new flagship of Rotel‘s line-up of home theater electronics, the RSP-1098 surround audio A/V preamp/processor, sports a stylish look and outward simplicity that hides a powerful feature set and rigorous engineering that lies behind the front panel.

The RSP-1098 is a multizone/multisource controller with 8 analog inputs, 8 assignable digital inputs, 5 analog A-V inputs, 4 HD component video monitor inputs, plus 7.1 channel analog audio in. It provides a full array of surround audio capabilities, with decoders for Dolby Digital, Dolby EX, Dolby Pro-logic II, dts, dtsES, dts ES Discrete, dts Neo 6 and HDCD audio formats.

Rotel's flagship RSP-1098 home theater A/V processor will be available in March 2003, suggested retail price of $2,999 (US).

The new processor features a full-color LCD display integrated into its front panel for system-control and on-screen menu navigation. The display can also be used for monitoring a video source, or even a remote entryway or security camera.

“The RSP-1098 is Rotel’s most sophisticated product to date,” says Mike Bartlett, Rotel of America’s vice president and general manager. “So we worked harder than ever to ‘keep it simple’ on the outside. But beyond the elegant look and unique ergonomic achievements, the 1098 is pure Rotel, with the fully-integrated performance and full-system excellence our ‘Balanced Design’ concept delivers.”

The RSP-1098 faceplate is elegant and simple, showing only the inset full-color LCD screen flanked by two knobs and key pushbutton controls. Inside, the circuitry is characaterized by Rotel’s obsessively “over-engineered” approach.

The power supply features Rotel-manufactured dual-toroidal power transformers. It provides generous current reserves thanks to a bank of specially-made low-ESR capacitors with pure, rock-steady voltage and current supplies, segregated for each circuit family. The power supply provides the underpinnings Rotel considers critical to superb sonics.

The audio and video circuitry of the RSP-1098 is also rigorously engineered, with function-oriented individual circuit boards carefully spaced and isolated to eliminate signal contamination.

Crystal Semiconductor 24-bit/192 kHz digital-to-analog converters on all channels, and the latest-generation, ultra-high-speed Cirrus Logic 32-bit DSP engine combine to deliver the complete range of current-day surround modes. Support is included for Dolby Digital EX and Pro Logic II, DTS ES-Matrix/Discrete, and DTS Neo:6 processing. There’s also Rotel’s proprietary, 7.1-channel Extra Surround mode, able to conjure up advanced multichannel sound from virtually any source.

The RSP-1098 is fully software-upgradeable, providing for the possibility of additional audio processing features in the future.

8-channel analog outputs and uniquely flexible, individual-channel crossover setup control make the RSP-1098 adaptable to virtually any home-theater system layout. 8 assignable digital inputs and five analog A-V inputs handle any combination of source components.

The new preamp/processor features four selectable, wideband component-video inputs (enough to accommodate the most elaborate setup). It maintains studio-quality video bandwidth on all video signal paths and switches, ensuring that image quality will match its exceptional audio capabilities.

Rotel’s independent multi-source/multi-zone design lets the RSP-1098 serve up audio and video to a remote room even while the home-theater room is in full, multichannel swing. Independent main and remote-zone IR inputs, a fully-functional RS-232 computer-style interface, discrete on/off command structure, and four individually assignable 12-volt triggers provide enough control interconnectivity to make the Rotel preamp/processor a highly competent full-system media controller as well.

Rotel has put a lot of effort into the RR-1050 remote control handset supplied with the RSP-1098. This powerfully ergonomic controller, with its backlit LCD screen for instant user-feedback in any room lighting, replaces up to 10 different remotes with a single simple, smoothly integrated commander. Extensive macro capability and a sliding cover to conceal programming-only buttons keep the sleek handset simple and unintimidating for all users.

The RSP-1098 is available in two finishes: matte black, or a 2-tone matte-silver and black.

Rotel Web Site

Filed Under: Home Theater

Listen.com Offers Free Rhapsody Music Service Access and 49-Cent CD Burning Promotion

February 13, 2003 by Leave a Comment

The Rhapsody online music service needs more subscribers, so it’s deal time for consumers.

To encourage music lovers to explore and enjoy Rhapsody’s CD-quality music and Internet radio programming, Listen.com and Lycos Music and are offering a “Free Access Week” from February 13-21, 2003.

During this time, you can test-drive Rhapsody for free, with no credit card required. Customers who subscribe during this week will also get 50% off their first three months of service, which brings the price down to $4.95 (US) per month.

“This special offer will enable a wider audience of Lycos Music users to explore their musical passions and enjoy more music through Rhapsody,” says Katie Rae, vice president of product marketing for the U.S. portal of Terra Lycos.

“The number of subscribers who have signed up for Lycos Rhapsody has far exceeded our expectations in their willingness to pay for high quality, value-added services like Rhapsody,” adds Ms. Rae. “This promotion makes it even more convenient – and more affordable – for our users to try.”

At the same time, Listen.com has launched a special promotion that will allow Rhapsody subscribers, both free and paid, to mix, match and burn custom-mixed CDs of their favorite music for just $0.49 per track.

This is the lowest per-burn price available to U.S. consumers through any of the new generation of digital music subscription services.

The special promotional price, half of the normal 99-cent per track cost of burning music through Rhapsody, applies to the service’s entire library of burnable content, including music from the digital catalogs of BMG, EMI, Universal, Warner, Naxos and more than 30 independent labels.

Rhapsody is the only online music subscription service to give subscribers the flexibility to burn individual tracks on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Rhapsody gives subscribers unlimited access to the world’s largest library of digital music, spanning more than 285,000 tracks and 20,000 albums of material from all five major music companies and more than 100 independent labels.

Rhapsody subscribers can burn full albums or custom mix CDs, build their own custom Internet radio stations, listen to professionally-programmed stations, and browse extensive music information and editorial recommendations.

“More than 75% of people who try Rhapsody become subscribers, so we know that our users are very satisfied with the service,” said Dave Williams, vice president of product management, Listen.com.

“Offering 49-cent CD burning lets us reward these existing subscribers, and provides a great incentive for new people to try RHAPSODY. Lycos Music is a great place for this kind of promotion because Lycos helps us quickly reach a large audience of passionate music fans.”

Rhapsody Web Site

AudioWorld Review of Rhapsody

Filed Under: Biz
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