Autonomic Controls MMS-2 cloud-based music server

Autonomic Controls' MMS-2 is a cloud-based media server, that can access their digital music libraries from iTunes, Windows Media and other popular audio formats, anywhere in the world. Listeners will also enjoy access to their favorite streaming services from Pandora, RadioTime and SiriusXM Internet Radio. 

Pulling from Macs, PCs and other network storage devices, the MMS-2 automatically synchronizes and streams content to remote locations. Using the Autonomic cloud service as the system’s backbone, the MMS-2 provides secure, global access to digital media collections and streaming services through Wi-Fi or 3G/4G mobile devices. Automated music programming allows users to schedule content in their homes or wherever they happen to be in the world.

With a leaner form factor and a lower price point, the MMS-2 is designed to work as a solo server for compact spaces, such as a beach house, yacht or pied-à-terre, or as a complement to the award-winning, five-source Mirage Media Server (MMS-5). The MMS-2 features 500GB of internal storage, two independent audio outputs—one 5.1 digital output for the audiophile in the main listening room and one analog output for distribution to multiple rooms—and one video output for displaying metadata and photo slideshows on the HDTV.

When a song or album is purchased or ripped at home, the MMS-2 will automatically synchronize new media to the cloud and make it available anywhere with Internet access, sparing the trouble of manually transferring music. To protect a user’s content, MMS-2 offers automatic backup to a private Internet data locker (the "cloud"), reducing the chances of losing digital files, while offering remote access to music from computers and mobile devices. Users can also create Pandora Internet Radio stations based on whatever artist or song is playing, allowing them to create customized music stations on the fly.

With the convenience and low cost of an iPad, users can now browse and control media libraries and all supported streaming services, complete with metadata and album art, all from one application. Mirage Media Controller (MMC) for iPad is currently available from the iTunes App Store for $49.99, and the same app for iPhone and iPod Touch is available for $19.99.  MMS-2 MSRP is $1,995.

B&W The Dome

I'm speechless, still deciding whether its beautiful or hideous.

Musical Fidelity M1 Clic

The new Musical Fidelity M1 Clic music control centre has 3 digital inputs, 3 analog inputs, a USB memory stick and a digital iPod input.  The iPod input accesses the digital data, not usual analog.  It also has wireless and ethernet LAN connectivity and also streams internet radio as well.  The M1 Clic has fixed and variable outputs so it can be used as a full preamp or a signal source. Retails for £1299.

Cambridge Audio iD100

The Cambridge Audio iD100 is the newest iDevice docking solution with Apple-approved digital output with the most comprehensive arrays of output to date.  Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod.  Digital data is then fed to an external digital audio converter or AV Receiver using its digital input for the best possible digital to analogue conversion.

The iD100 also outputs VDO with its Component, S-Video and Composite connections mean you can enjoy portable video content like You Tube, iTunes, iPlayer and much more on your TV.  Full remote enabling you to enjoy control all your iPod content from your seat and an iPod App is being developed.

Specifications

• High quality, low jitter digital audio output from iPods, including iPad and iPhone 4
• AES/EBU balanced digital audio output 
• S/PDIF coaxial and toslink outputs
• Component / S-Video and Composite video outputs
• Eco- friendly low-power mode automatically activated when iPod removed from dock
• Type-B USB connection allowing convenient and simple syncing to iTunes
• Supplied slim-line remote control
• Available in black or silver finishes
• Dimensions (H x W x D) 46 x 108 x 128mm
• Weight 0.469kg

McIntosh free AP1 Audio Player for iDevices

McIntosh Laboratory is offering iPhone and iPad users the opportunity to enjoy an iconic McIntosh experience anywhere and anytime with its new AP1 Audio Player iPod/iPhone/iPad App, available now for free download at the iTunes Store. Designed to give McIntosh fans a familiar look and feel, the AP1 Audio Player offers virtually all features of the existing iPod App, while tailoring the portable playback/control experience for the unique McIntosh style. 

Notably, when not used as a controller, the AP1 will default to a McIntosh “Meter Display Mode” and act as a live meter display for the music, in effect, providing users with a backdrop consistent with the iconic “McIntosh Blue” LED watt meter – a recognized hallmark of audio excellence. The App will function independent of any external hardware (i.e. Dock) and allow a portable McIntosh experience for all iPhone and iPad users. When used with an iPod Dock (of any make or model) the App serves as a virtual McIntosh display, reflecting the company’s renowned brand, style and experience.

Griffin Universal Remote Control System

Griffin's Beacon's technology revolves around Bluetooth technology and good 'ol infrared.

Beacon pairs with your iOS device (iPad, iPhone, or iPods) via Bluetooth then convert signal to infrared.  Beacon has a 360 degree remote firer, so that adds flexibility to where you put them.  Set up is supposed to be simple, where Dijit's Universal Remote App (included) uses a library of constantly updated device codes.

• Wireless universal audio/video controller for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
• Low-profile component designed to blend unobtrusively with any decor
• Use your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad as a powerful universal remote control without dongles or cases
• Connects to your iOS device via Bluetooth and gives you control of your TV, stereo, and other home entertainment components
• For use with Dijit's Universal Remote app, a free download from the App Store
• The Universal Remote app uses a constantly updated device code library and integrated learning feature to make setup simple and intuitive
• No wires or power cables; runs up to two months on 4 AA batteries

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air

Bowers & Wilkins' new Zeppelin Air ($600) is the company's ultimate AirPlay wireless audio system with completely updated drive units and advanced Digital Signal Processing plus fully integrated AirPlay technology so users can easily stream music wirelessly from iTunes, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The improved sonic performance is complemented by a collection of new features, foremost among which is the inclusion of new AirPlay technology.

AirPlay also lets users create an easy to set up multi-room system with iTunes on Mac or PC, delivering music to multiple Zeppelin Airs around the house. As the best sounding Zeppelin yet, Zeppelin Air features dramatic changes over previous models. It's a fully active 2.1 design, which means that all five units are individually driven by dedicated audiophile amplifiers, which are specially designed by Bowers & Wilkins. The improved 4 x 25 Watt and 1 x 50 Watt output powers updated drive units, for a truly room-filling performance. 

Zeppelin Air also features Bowers & Wilkins Flowport technology and advanced Digital Signal Processing in the form of Dynamic EQ; these combine with a significantly upgraded port for dramatically improved bass performance. The DACs have also been upgraded, with 24bit/96kHz capability for compatibility with emerging high-quality audio formats. AirPlay requires iTunes 10.1 or later and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 4.2 or later.

Weiss MAN 202 Music Archive Network Player

Weiss Engineering, maker of DigitalAudioBlog's current reference d/a converter, the DAC202, is announcing at CES2011 their new digital audio network player - the MAN202.

• Rips CD directly to Network Attached Server (NAS)
• Weiss' high quality DAC implementation (DAC202 quality)
• iPad control
• Analog output over XLR and RCA
• 1 x AES/EBU and 1 x RCA S/PDIF digital inputs
• 2 x AES/EBU digital outputs and 2 x RCA S/PDIF digital outputs
• Word clock in and out
• Ethernet connector for LAN and Network Attached Server (NAS)
• Automatic cover art download from the internet 
• Built-in wireless capabilities
• Firewire for optional connection to external DAC
• USB host connector for thumb and external drive

More details after the CES announcement.  Also new from Weiss is Medea+ DAC which is its upgraded flagship consumer digital to analog converter with new analog section and firewire input taken from the DAC202.  My understanding is that the digital section remains unchanged.

Update: Weiss is planning another version without the DAC, only fire wire and digital outputs.

Altec Lansing inMotion wireless speakers

Altec Lansing unveiled its latest "inMotion Air" wireless speaker solution. The system consists of an adapter on your PC or Mac, and you can stream tunes to the speaker from up to 300 feet away. There's also support for Bluetooth streaming from iDevices, an internal battery that is good for seven hours and also a line-out connector. US retail price set at $199.95.

Cypher Labs' AlgoRhytm Solo iDevice digital audio processor

Yet another new iPod digital audio DAC/Transport with digital output.  The battery-powered AlgoRhythm™ Solo is a digital audio processor for Apple iPad, iPhone, or iPod devices.  The digital audio is accessed asynchronously via USB port then routed to the reference grade Wolfson Microelectronics DAC.  

• USB interface works with iPad, iPhone and iPod (won't work with computer USB output)
• 1/8" analog line out
• Simultaneous S/PDIF coaxial digital output 
• Lithium-ion batteries
• 10 configurable timers and 3 clock chips allow maximum flexibility in controlling timing, resulting in ultra-low jitter (err...whatever that means)
• AC adapter for charging batteries

Pure i-20 iPod and iPhone dock

Another new iPod dock with digital audio Toslink and coaxial output from Pure Audio.  Also converts to analog using with resolution up to 24 bit / 192 kHz.  The i-20 is iPhone compatible.  All for GBP 85.

Features

• 24-bit 192 KHz DAC 
• 105 dB signal to noise ratio
• 93 dB THD+N 
• 2V RMS output
• Digital optical (TOSLINK), digital coaxial (RCA) 
• Dual RCA analogue dual RCA audio output
• Component (YPbPr), S-Video* and Composite video output
• Remote control
• Charges iPod/iPhone

Edovia's Screens app for iOS

Controlling your Multimedia PCs (Mac, Linux or PC) using VNC client protocol couldn't be easier and more elegant than the new $14.99 Screens app for iOS.  
Perfect for controlling the Mac Mini headless server streaming music on the hi-fi shelve in conjunction with the already excellent Apple's Remote app for controlling iTunes content, and Rowmote for everything else.

Features:

• Universal - Screens will run on both iPhone and iPad - one app for both devices.
• Easy to Use - Screens is the easiest, most user friendly VNC client for iOS.
• Exit Cursor - Screens is a 100%, fully touched-base VNC client. Forget the cursor. Click, drag and scroll where your fingers are, not the cursor.
• Secure - Screens can connect to your computer through a SSH Tunnel so your session is encrypted and safe.
• Pull-to-Dock - Your Dock is hidden? No problem! Screens can make it appear with a simple flick!
• Multi-Touch - Screens supports many multi-touch features your already use on your trackpad.
• Screens Connect - Make your computer available from anywhere. Easy as flicking a switch! No messy router setup.
• Versatile - Compatible with OS X, Windows and Linux.
• Works Anywhere - Through WiFi or a 3G network.

Propellerhead ReBirth iPad app

Rebirth is a perfect iPad app for those that love to play and make electronic dance, synth and drum machine sounds.  Its developer Propellerhead says, "ReBirth faithfully emulates dance music's three backbone devices: The Roland TB-303 Bass synth and the Roland TR-808 and 909 drum machines. Combine these with FX units, fully featured pattern sequencers and a gorgeous-looking interface and you're ready to make killer tracks on your iPad."

• 2 x TB-303 Bassline synths
• TR-808 Drum Machine
• TR-909 Drum Machine
• Pattern Controlled Filter
• Distortion unit
• Compressor
• Mixer
• 5 user mods
• Pattern sequencing
• Full automation
• Combine patterns to build songs
• Share songs with other on Facebook, Twitter