September 22, 2010
Sherwood Introduces Two New High Performance Audio-Video Receivers



By Gary Reber


Sherwood America Inc.,one of the world's leading manufacturers of high performance audio and video equipment, announced today the availability of two new audio-video receivers. The RD-705i network receiver streams Internet audio, including Internet Radio, with 802.11n Wi-Fi ability and compliance with UPnP for home networking. The 7.1 channel dual-zone receiver has HDMI 1.4 capability, making it 3D ready, and the full complement of Dolby and DTS high-resolution audio formats. It provides 100 watts for each of its seven channels of amplification and also offers optional Bluetooth connectivity. The new RD-7505 offers identical audio-video performance without networking. Both receivers will be on display in Sherwood America's booth 956 at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, at the 2010 CEDIA Expo.

"The RD-705i makes it possible for music lovers to enjoy the rich variety of online sources in their main A/V system with the superior audio performance that is Sherwood's legacy. With UPnP and Windows 7 compatibility, this receiver sets a new standard for connectivity and performance in its price class," said Jeffrey Hipps, Sherwood's Sr. VP for Marketing and Product Development. "Both the RD-705i
and RD-7505 are ready for 3D with HDMI 1.4, and the inclusion of HDMI repeater capability means they can internally decode the highest-resolution audio formats available to consumers today on Blu-ray disc."

RD-705i

The RD-705i makes streaming Internet audio capability with UPnP in a high-performance audio-video receiver more affordable than ever before. Users can now use their main A/V system to enjoy Internet radio from Pandora, Aupeo, Reciva, Shoutcast and other streaming music services that make available thousands of radio stations from around the world.

Using the RD-705i's included 802.11n Wi-Fi adaptor connection to the Internet is easy allowing users to enjoy music not only online, but streamed wirelessly from digital devices anywhere in their home. The receiver is Windows 7 compatible, and supports 'Play To' control. Setup and integration into existing networks is both easily and quickly accomplished with one-touch setup and UPnP.

Maximizing the playback quality of streaming sources to take advantage of its 192 kHz/24 bit D to A converters, the receiver provides full bit-rate capability for MP3, AAC, WMA and WAV formats.

Bluetooth-enabled
audio devices can also be used to stream audio with the addition of an optional plug-in Sherwood Bluetooth adaptor and a USB port. For users with iPod music libraries, Sherwood's optional DS-10 iPod dock provides yet another audio source, adding control of the iPod through its Sherwood DigiLink-I capability.

The RD-705i also features advanced audio-video performance and is fully 3DTV ready, with HDMI 1.4 inputs and repeater circuitry that enables it to process the high-resolution Blu-ray Dolby and DTS format signals received from source components. Its range of Dolby and DTS format capabilities includes DTS 96/24, DTS ES, DTS Neo6, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro Logic IIz.

Totally discrete power amplifiers deliver 100 watts RMS at 8 ohms for each of the receiver's seven channels, at less than 0.2% THD. High-resolution audio quality is assured by 192kHz/24 bit D to A converters for all channels.

Connectivity starts with three HDMI inputs and one HDMI output, and includes four composite inputs, two composite outputs, three A/V inputs and two A/V outputs. Audio inputs include one digital coaxial, two digital optical and seven stereo analog, with one analog output available.


/> Sherwood's automated SNAP™ system performs all system setup and calibration, including room equalization, using its provided test microphone. Bright-sounding sources can be compensated for through a separate Cinema EQ control.

Each input has an adjustable A/V sync control delay for sources where picture and sound are not synchronized. A multi-stage Dynamic Range control can be used for nighttime listening or when neighbors cannot be disturbed.

Second room playback is available with Dual Zone capability, which uses two amplifier channels for stereo playback (leaving the main room in a 5.1 channel configuration). Sirius ready, the receiver also has a 4 Gang Quartz PLL Synthesized FM Tuner and AM receiver, with 30 presets available. Up to 8 components can be controlled by its preprogrammed IR remote control.

The RD-705i has a suggested retail price of $499.95 and is available in November 2010.

RD-7505 Receiver With the same high level of audio-video performance as the RD-705i, the new RD-7505 is the choice for listeners who do not need networking. Through its HDMI 1.4 capability, the 7.1 channel RD-7505 provides support for the new connectivity standard's 3D picture capabilities. Thanks to its HDMI repeater, it can internally process the Dolby TruHD and DTS-HD Master Audio high-resolution audio formats, and it also provides processing for Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, DTS 96/24, DTS ES and DTS Neo6. Eight additional DSP surround modes are also available.

The receiver's superior audio quality is achieved through the use of 192 kHz/24 bit D to A converters for all seven channels, along with seven fully discrete amplifiers, each rated at 100 watts RMS into 8 ohms, at less than 0.2% THD.

In addition to three HDMI inputs and a single HDMI output, four composite inputs and two composite outputs are provided, as well as three A/V inputs and two A/V outputs Inputs for audio include one digital coaxial, two digital optical and seven stereo analog. One analog output is also available. By adding an optional plug-in Sherwood Bluetooth adaptor, the RD-7505 can receive streaming audio from Bluetooth components such as smart phones and PCs.

Users can easily configure their system setup through Sherwood's automated SNAP system, which, using a provided test microphone, performs a full system calibration that includes room equalization. A separate Cinema EQ control can be used to tame overly bright soundtracks.

To eliminate lip-sync problems, each input has an individually adjustable A/V sync control. For playback at lower volume levels and when others cannot be disturbed, the RD-7505's multi-stage Dynamic Range control limits maximum volume while ensuring that soft passages can still be heard.

A Dual Zone capability in the RD-7505 makes playback in a second room possible when the main room is in a 5.1 channel configuration. For broadcasts, the receiver is Sirius ready, and it provides excellent support for conventional radio reception, with a 4 Gang Quartz PLL Synthesized FM Tuner and AM receiver, offering 30 presets. Playback of iPod music libraries is possible when used with Sherwood's DS-10 iPod dock, which can be controlled through the receiver's Sherwood DigiLink-I capability. Up to 8 components can be controlled by its preprogrammed IR remote control.

The RD-7505 has a suggested retail price of $399.95, and the receiver is available in November 2010.

   
       
About Sherwood America
Sherwood Electronic Labs was founded in Chicago in 1953 to manufacture an amplifier designed by legendary audio engineer Ed Miller. Determined to design high performance audio gear and to manufacture it themselves, Miller and his partner John Snow created a company that established the standard for audio excellence and efficient manufacturing. As advanced audio electronics have evolved, Sherwood's contributions have been invaluable. The world's first commercial FM stereo broadcast employed Sherwood technology. Sherwood was the first to introduce tuners with digital readouts and computer-control. And, most significantly, Sherwood made the industry's first 100% all-silicon solid-state audio receiver. The company's leadership continues today. Not only is the Sherwood brand synonymous with high performance audio worldwide, but Sherwood is also the actual manufacturer of nearly one-third of the world's high performance receivers. While many of these products carry brand names that may be better known than our own, none are built with the same sense of pride as those that bear the Sherwood name, and none are better built or better engineered than those that bear our Newcastle badge -- the best we build for anyone. In the fiercely competitive and rapidly changing field of consumer electronics, where companies shift production sites from one low-cost country to another, Sherwood is a leading light, an international symbol of unsurpassed quality, and one of the few companies to manufacture all the products bearing its name. Fittingly, the company continues to be guided by Ed Miller's enduring philosophy: Design audio gear that offers only the highest levels of performance and make it yourself. For more information, go to www.sherwoodusa.com



Tags: - equipment - - Sherwood America - - RD-705i - - 7.1-channel dual-zone receiver - - RD-7505 -