News

Sherwood Newcastle Launches "Room 2 Advanced" Component Series (21/1/2004)

New Pre/Pro-Main Amp Combo and 2 New Receivers feature advanced audio capability and unusual custom installation flexibility

Sherwood America Inc., a leading manufacturer of high performance audio equipment, recognizing the importance of custom installation in today's high end market, launches the P-965 preamp/processor, the A-965 seven channel main amplifier, the R-965 flagship 7.1 receiver and the R-865 advanced 7.1 receiver. Together, these components make up Newcastle's "ADVANCED ROOM 2" offering. They decode virtually all of today's advanced audio formats, are field upgradeable, offer Sherwood's Universal Video Technology and still provide command and control functions that make them an easy choice for custom installation.

The Newcastle P-965 tuner/preamp/processor decodes DTS-ES Discrete and Matrix; DTS 96/24, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker, and Dolby Headphone to name a few. With a built-in phono section, the ability to Re-Master CD sound to 192 kHz sampling frequency and 24-bit word depth, three relay switched wide-bandwidth component video inputs and the ability to up-convert composite and S-Video signals to component video output, the P-965 has the capability to satisfy today's most ardent enthusiasts.

For the custom installer, the P-965 features both RS-232 and USB connectability. Both can be used for command and control and to upgrade the P-965's operating system to accommodate future formats. Of course it supports multi-room and multi source output for two zones. The P-965 not only allows analog audio and video feeds for the second zone, it is among the very few components available anywhere that offers an independent digital feed for the second zone. With two IR inputs and an IR output, two 12-volt trigger outputs and a dedicated Zone 2 remote controls is ready for the custom market. MSRP for the P-965 is $1499.95.

The A-965 is a 7-channel, 80-pound, independent main amp designed specifically for low impedance loads. With a power supply that contains two huge toroidal power transformers it has the capability to unleash greater than a kilowatt of output power. Each channel, from gold-plated input to heavy duty output, is built on a separate circuit board as an independent mono block, a design which minimizes cross-talk (and facilitates repair in the unlikely event that should become necessary). The discrete circuitry utilizes PNP differential input, Darlington current driver and parallel, pure-complementary, push-pull output. The results? The A-965 has the delicacy to limit its Intermodulation Distorion to only 7 parts in 100,000 (0.007% IMD) yet with all channels driven, the P-965 delivers 160 Watts x 7 at any combination of frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz with less than 0.09% THD into 4 ohms. MSRP for the A-965 is $1499.95.

Based on the chassis and technology of the P-965, Newcastle's new R-965 flagship receiver has the same features and capability as the pre/pro. The R-965's amplifier section, while similar to that of the A-965, has a single toroidal transformer and is rated at 120 Watts RMS per channel from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than 0.02% THD into 8 ohms for each of its seven channels. MSRP for the R-965 is $1999.95.

The R-865 Advanced 7.1 receiver offers a few small compromises. It is limited to 2 component video inputs, lacks the phono section of its more capable siblings, has a single IR input and 12-volt trigger and sacrifices a small amount of output power. The R-865 is rated at 100 Watts RMS per channel with no more than 0.02% THD into 8 ohms for each of its seven channels. MSRP for the R-865 is $1499.95.

According to Jeff Hipps, Sherwood America's Sr. VP for Marketing and Product Planning, the Advanced Room 2 Series offers the custom installation market the industry's easiest sales path. "These components cover three key price points with what is essentially a single sales story and a single learning curve. Once an installer knows one of these units, he can handle all three."

All four models in Newcastle's Room 2 Advanced series will be available in February, 2004.

www.sherwoodamerica.com