Recent AV Gadget Reviews

Emotiva was at the 2015 AXPONA show displaying their latest in headphone/portable audio products; the Little Ego and Ego DACs as well as hinting at new Class D amplifiers to replace their UPA line.

The Line 6 AMPLIFi TT guitar effect processor is a groundbreaking product that allows any musician to connect to their home theater system or take a portable solution to their gigs. Read our review.

The Cambridge Stream Magic 6 v2 isn't just a media streamer. It is a standalone DAC and preamp as well. With digital inputs, 3 USB ports, WiFI, and an Ethernet port,it's ready for your digital files.

The OmniMount OE120IW is the simplest in-wall TV mount we've seen, and at $299 it's a good deal too. Read on for our full impressions.

Preview: The VidOn Box is a value priced media player built on the XBMC platform. Boasting full HD output capabilities and a unique menu navigation system, it has the potential to replace your HTPC.

Preview: Marantz's NA8005 network audio player is priced at $1,199 and offers a variety of streaming audio options, as well as outboard DAC functionality.

Product Review: The portable Cable Keeper is a functional and stylish cable organization and transportation solution for audio buffs, installers, and electronics junkies. Click to read more.

Review: Roku's Streaming Stick now comes in a regular HDMI version with options for USB power or a conventional wall plug. Click to read (and watch) our impressions.

The Radial Engineering Tonebone PZ-Pre is a two channel acoustic instrument preamplifier loaded with features in a heavy duty 14 gauge steel chassis. Click to read all the details.

The Amazon Fire TV is very competitively priced streaming and gaming all-in-one box at $100 though it doesn't undercut anyone. Roku and Apple TV are the same price and the streaming sticks are less.

Product Review: MuxLab's HDMI over IP Extender with PoE isn't inexpensive at $700, but it claims to reliably deliver a 1080p signal to a point over 600' away from the source. Click to read the review.

Preview: OPPO's HA-1 headphone amplifier, priced at $1,199, is more than meets the eye, boasting an advanced DAC, preamplifier functions, and a Bluetooth receiver. Click to read all the details.

Preview: The Roku Streaming Stick (HDMI version) is their answer to the Chromecast. It has access to just about every streaming service on the planet rather than Google's limited streaming offerings

The African Tongue Drum with electronic pickup system allows one to connect to a loop pedal to do background drum effects. Check out our review of this unique product.

The new iHome iBN97 Bluetooth clock radio adds NFC to an alarm clock. Of course, it also includes Bluetooth for wireless connectivity from virtually any mobile device. Check it out.

The Denon DA-300USB DAC has top-notch circuitry, proprietary Advanced AL32 Processing and High-Precision 32 bit, 192 kHz digital to analogue conversion, analog line outputs, and four digital inputs.

Seiki's U-VISION 4k upconverting HDMI cable will take a 1080p signal and scale it up to 4k or a 720p signal and scale it to 1080p as well as other image improvement features for only $40.

I got a chance to test out two of Pioneer's latest in-dash receivers, the 1-DIN AVH-X7500BT and the 2-DIN SPH-DA210. Both are $500 units that have a 7" WVGA touch screen with AppRadio capabilities.

Audio interconnects and speaker cables myths and facts are revealed in this informative interview. What makes a good AV cable, and the real science behind them is discussed here.

The Emotiva XPS-1 is an high-quality, in-line phono pre-amp for the bargain price of $149. If you have a turntable you can't use because you lack the correct inputs, the XPS-1 is the solution.

Review: The Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS. Cambridge Audio has a number of DacMagic offerings, currently three on their website, and this is by far the smallest and the least expensive.

Review: The Emotiva Stealth DC-1 is a two channel preamp, DAC, and headphone amp all in one. The $500 price tag would be worth it for any 2 of those but Emotiva gave you all 3. Highly Recommended!

Review: DVDO Air3 Wireless HDMI Adapter. We ran it through its paces passing 3D HD audio and video. Results? It's not perfect, but is arguable the best wireless HDMI solution we have ever reviewed.

The Samsung Smart Media Player takes Samsung's Smart Hub and puts it in a standalone box with a twist - CableCARD support. Will combining cable and streaming convince people to buy the $150 Player?

One of the coolest things you can do with the latest DISH content, is view it on your iPad or smart phone or mobile device. Now, however, DISH is readying an upgrade to its DISH Anywhere app.

A late night visitation brings on horror as one of our reviewer's systems is infiltrated by the Akiko Audio Tuning Sticks. Audioholics everywhere - beware! Check your cables! Don't let them in!

Preview: The Yamaha NX-P100 is a Bluetooth speaker from Yamaha that has speakerphone and Siri support, apt-X for CD quality streaming, is splash resistant, and can even charge your phone. $200.

The VIZIO Co-Star LT has almost all the functionality of the original Co-Star but costs $20 less. It has tons of apps, can connect wirelessly, stream 1080p and 3D, and pass through 5.1 audio.