Indy Audio Labs, parent company of the high-performance
audio brands, Aragon and Acurus, plans to launch a line of Web-enabled preamps
and home theater processors later this year. Positioned as “the first separate
preamps and pre-pros designed to meet the needs and expectations of today’s
mobile generation," the line is based on Indy’s Enhanced Ethernet Control
(E2C), which enables the components to talk to other devices on a home network.
The Acurus ACT-4 7.1-channel home theater pre-amp/processor
is expected to be the first product in the new line, which will be unveiled at
the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo in
late September. Retail price has been set at $3,999.
“People today are accustomed to rich UI experiences on their
smartphones, tablets, and in their vehicles," said Ted Moore, the
company’s chief technology officer. “Even special-purpose devices like
thermostats and refrigerators have attractive, intuitive, Web-based interfaces.
While many competitors in home A/V still rely on antiquated two-line character
displays, today’s customers expect much more, especially from a piece of
high-end gear. We’ve integrated a front-panel touch screen that more closely
resembles a mobile phone with full-color graphics and simple-to-comprehend
icons.”
