Sony Japan updated one of its Elevated Standard (ES) Audio Video Receivers and replaced TA-5400ES with TA-5500ES. Most likely the US will see a refreshed AVR line up this fall as well and we may hear more about it pretty soon at CEDIA. The updated version of the current US flagship model STR-DA6400ES (which I enjoy a lot at my home theater) will most likely inherit all the new features that this new Japanese model has for us, and they are:
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- APM – The world’s first Automatic Phase Matching technology that will match the phase characteristics of the front speakers and the center speaker, is ideal to keep things in both frequency and phase of sound pressure using the same speakers for all channels. Sony’s unique automatic sound field correction function.
- “Advanced DCAC (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration)” is included as well. “DCAC” is measured by using the included microphone is a technology that can be measured by the automatic correction with high accuracy and fast acoustic characteristics of the room. DCAC has been available pretty much on a number of Sony’s AVR and Home Theater products as well.
- Newly developed “HD-DCS” (HD Distinctive Cinema Sound)
- Re-enforced body of the AVR – horizontal metal chassis stiffness dramatically increased FB (Frame and Beam) was equipped within the chassis. This unit is equipped with a new metal-reinforced beams to strengthen the frame of the chassis itself.
- 6 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs. Like DA6400ES, this new AVR features access to an HDMI on the front side of the receiver. 2 HDMI outputs allow you to simultaneously use two display units. In addition, HDMI output OFF option was added, if you do not need a picture, better sound quality can be achieved by switching to Audio only HDMI devices.
- DLNA and WebRadio (ShoutCast) also used on the DA6400ES.
