Description
Wharfedale DX-1 HCP
Elegant and compact, the new cinema package exudes not only a modern aesthetic but also boasts an excellent performance capability. Engineered with a new generation Class D amplifier, the DX-1HCP consists of four satellite speakers for the front and rear, plus a similarly diminutive centre speaker and a compact active subwoofer. The speakers take their design cues from the multi-award-winning Diamond 10.1 standmount speakers, with their curved cabinets and silver-finished cone surrounds, albeit shrunk to a much smaller size – the satellite speakers are just 19cm high.
Marantz NR1602
Building on 2010’s hugely successful NR1601, this new 7.1-capable Receiver delivers room-filling quality sound thanks to the discrete built 7x 50 W RMS output stages. Obviously, the compact design is not at the expense of power, nor of features. On the video side, the four HDMI 1.4 inputs all support 3D video and Audio Return Channel (ARC), while all analogue video signals are converted to HDMI level including I/P conversion. The on-board Ethernet port allows for audio streaming from home networks or subscription-based web-services, and gives access to over 14,000 Internet radio stations worldwide.
Marantz’s NR1602 even has the hot AirPlay feature already built-in that lets you unleash your iTunes or iPhone/iPod touch/iPad music libraries to the AV Receiver. Thanks to the network connection, the AV Receiver can easily be controlled through a free Marantz Wizz App for Apples iDevices. Add a front USB input with digital iPod/iPhone playback, Audyssey MultEQ room calibration, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ, as well as an easy setup guided by the multi-language Setup Wizard with on screen-display, and you realise this neat machine is not short on talent. It fits high-end performance into a beautifully compact chassis, hence satisfying the most demanding of interior designers.
