Gramophone’s Favorite Things

Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas | Day 5: Integra Receiver

Our Holiday Gift Giving Guide for 2011 features a number of products to enhance not only your home stereo system, but also your home theater experience.  Integra Receivers work hard to provide you with the best audio/video quality your system can provide! Integra has done a great job of staying on top of technology and integrating features into their products to help "future-proof" the technology, such as the ability to download firmware updates to your device.  

How does Integra do what they do?

Our passion with what reaches your eyes and ears begins in the minds of our people.  We find engineers and designers who are more than just good at what they do-we find the fanatics. Then we provide them with the absolute finest parts and materials, the most sophisticated test and measurement equipment available and facilities that are second to none.  It doesn't stop there.  Far from it.  We back it all up with the support and technical resources of a parent company with an unparalleled track record of audio engineering excellence that spans more than half a century.  The end results are a company and a product line that has never had any intention of being the biggest. Just the best.

 

The Integra 30.3 A/V Receiver is one of Integra's entry to mid-level receivers, but you won't feel like you had to settle for something.  By integrating services such as Spotify, Pandora, and SiriusXM, you'll have your favorite music & radio stations available at your fingertips.  And with a plethora of inputs & outputs, these receivers are ready to do the real work it takes to tie all of the pieces of your system together.

Integra's receivers can now be controlled with an app made for Apple & Android devices, 

The Functions Enabled by the Integra Remote Control App include: 

1. Internet radio operation. Stations can be selected directly from the app, without the need to view a TV display; 
2. Control of streaming audio files from a DLNA-compatible server. An iPhone/iPod touch can be used to select music directly from the server; 
3. General remote-control button operations; 
4. Information such as radio-station frequency displayed when listening to radio. (Note: available only on A/V receivers with a built-in radio tuner); 
5. Links to the latest surround technology information and new product promotion videos. 

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Whether it's because it's 3D-ready, supports your favorite streaming app, is the right price, has won the right awards, or some combination of things, there's one thing we're sure of: The box is easy to wrap as a present.  Have you ever tried to wrap a football? It's nothing like that.  The box is a beautifully smooth rectangular shape that allows for giftwrap to envelope it quickly & simply!  

 

So, we're now half way through our Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas, what are your favorites so far?

What’s That Cable Do Again? A Simple Guide to All Things Wire and Cable Related

Just a simple little guide to wires & cables...

PS3 to TV
So you love your PlayStation 3, right? Me too. But how do you get the most out of your gaming system? Simple. You just need to use the right cable. First off, you need to know what kind of screen resolution you’re playing in. If your television supports HD, you’ll need a HDMI or component AV cable, which are sold separately from your system. HDMI cables are the only cables that support gaming in 1080p. If you’re gaming on an older television, you can use the AV cable that comes with your PS. 

   HDMI cable                     

Component AV cable


Laptop to TV
If you enjoy watching your TV shows on your laptop, why not give yourself the gift of a larger screen by connecting your laptop to your television? HDMI cables currently give the highest quality connection. However, many laptops don’t support the HDMI input, so you may need to buy a DVI cable, as well. Another option is a Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter. The Mini DisplayPort was originally developed by Apple for Mac laptops, but many newer PCs are also equipped with the DisplayPorts. Connect an HDMI cable to the Mini DisplayPort and you can view screen quality in 1080p resolution.

              DVI cable        

       

Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter


Blu-Ray/HD-DVD to TV
Blu-ray players and HD-DVDs are the next best thing to the live show. Hook them up to get the best audio and video and you’re set! To watch your Blu-ray discs in HD, you’ll need an HDMI cable or a component video cable. Audio can be a bit more tricky if your receiver doesn’t accept HDMI cables. In this scenario, you’ll have the option between a digital coax cable or a optical toslink digital audio cable. With these cables, you won’t have audio equal to that of HDMI, but you’ll get a resolution up to twice that of a standard DVD! Happy watching!

Component video cable                

Digital coax cable                    

Toslink digital audio cable

-Ela

 

 

TV Meet College Student, College Student Meet the Coolest TV Ever!

Like most college students, I am in the market for a TV, but an affordable TV. Over the past 3 months I’ve done my research and learned that a 720p TV, 32” or under, is not a compromise but a way to save money. Because the screen size is relatively small (and a perfect fit for my less than spacious dorm room) 720p resolution is great quality and a minor difference from 1080p. Perfect. So last week I came into work at Gramophone prepared and excited to buy my 32” 720p LCD TV, or so I thought.

Conveniently, I was introduced to the Sony Internet Connected TV powered by Google, Google TV for short. With the 32” screen, 1080p resolution and LED-LCD quality picture, my attention was certainly grabbed. I asked one of the sales guys to pretend I was a
customer, and well, I’m sold. Get past the basic specs, the clean black & white streamlined design, and the uber modern metal stand, and you’ve still got an incredibly magnificent transition into the future. Yes, you may think I am slightly over-glorifying this TV but it really is just that cool. Here’s why.

First let’s state the awesome. A Google TV has a built-in WiFi receiver so it connects directly, and wirelessly, to my existing internet at no extra cost. Not to worry, there is an ethernet port just in case my dorm room internet decides to be difficult. So much for missing out on the show while I look something up on my computer, now I can multitask all on the same screen!

Google TV also has a USB port so I can take music, pictures, and videos from my computer and load them onto the TV easily with a flash drive. As for DVDs? Using any of the the four HDMI ports I’m instantly connected to my PlayStation 3 and ready to watch Blu-ray movies or show off my expert Guitar Hero skills to the guys (yes, I am a girl and yes, I do still play that game).

As if it couldn’t get any better, I learned that a quick and free download from the iTunes App Store lets me control the Google TV right from my iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. But after playing around with the full qwerty keyboard remote with a built-in scroll mouse that comes with the TV, I don’t know if I’d even want to use anything else!

Oh did I mention the apps I can get? Yup, in addition to the Google Chrome browser, I can download and access the Android Apps Market right on the TV for increased ease and convenience. Some of the pre-downloaded apps include Twitter, Facebook, Pandora, and Netflix.  

Needless to say, my love affair with Google continues, and yours can too! Gramophone will proudly feature the Sony Google TV, starting at just $299, at the Back-to-School Sale from August 15th - 31st, at both the Timonium and Columbia locations.

Gramophone, bringing affordable HD living to dorm rooms across the country.

-Julia

The Face of Peachtree’s iDecco

I’m the kind of person who remembers faces, not names. I’ll notice when you’ve gotten a haircut, and I’ll probably be able to pick out that new accessory that you’re wearing for the first time. No, I’m not your personal stalker; I’ve just got a great eye for detail. When it comes to spotting a product in the Gramophone showroom, I’m no different. So today when I was walking through the front room, I had to stop, turn, and face the sleek silver faceplate and rounded edges of the iDecco. This wasn’t your classic, black-buttoned box. No, the iDecco was something different. And once I got the chance to dock my iPod, press the power button, and watch the Class A tube light up, I was definitely never going to forget the face of the iDecco.

 

What’s it got that I don’t have?

We all have our own way we like to listen to music, right? Whether you’re a fanatic for the perfect headphones or you can’t picture a better evening than to just be able to sit in front of your home stereo speakers, there’s no right or wrong way to listen to music. But there is something that we’re all missing when we listen to our music in its digital format. What we’re missing is the fine tuning, the discrete notes, and of course the depth and range of our audio’s true abilities.

While the iDecco may look simple, it proudly shows off its row of six buttons and volume knob with a nod in the direction of a modern and contemporary design. This minimalist appearance makes the iDecco easy to operate, even for a first time user like me. After placing my iPod in the docking station (the feature that differentiates the iDecco from the Decco²), I pressed the “power” button and the music instantly traveled to the connected pair of bookshelf speakers surrounding the iDecco. I adjusted the volume, and that’s where I fell back in love with my music.

The iDecco does what?
I couldn’t quite pin the mind-numbing, eyes-widening experience I got from listening to music through the iDecco integrated amplifier to just one thing. Could it have been the tube that glowed a light orange inside the iDecco when my iPod was docked or when my headphones were connected? Better yet, I needed to ask myself what did that tube do?

After a little research and a lot of help from Gramophone’s Bruce Spivey, a man I’d like to consider my go-to tech guru, I learned that the iDecco does some serious work with your music before you hear the end result. The most important thing to note is that the iDecco converts the digital input of your music, whether it be from your iPod, CD player, or computer library. To complete this process the iDecco sends your tunes through the on board DAC (digital to analog converter), passes it through the Class A tube preamp, and finally sends out through the amplifier. The end result is music clarity way beyond my previous standards of audio excellence.

The iDecco’s DAC turned my crummy and compressed music on my iPod into something I could enjoy listening to for hours. And the tube preamp took away the harsh and gritty edge that digital music throws at your ears. The iDecco truly made me realize all that I was missing with my music. I can safely say I’m never going to forget the name of the iDecco. I may have a great memory for the remembering faces, but great sound is something I’ll never be able to erase from my mind.

Visit one of Gramophone’s showrooms in Timonium or Columbia and listen to your music through Peachtree’s iDecco for yourself!

-Ela

Gramophone Presents: Kaleidescape

You’ve got the ultimate movie collection, right? From your selection of flicks that the guys enjoy to the films that just the kids watch, you’ve dedicated a lot of time and effort to keep them organized and within reach. But now you want something to store all of your DVDs. No more flipping through boxes or searching through selves to find the movie you’re looking for. On Saturday August 13th, the Gramophone showroom in Timonium will be hosting a fun, family-friendly event showcasing the revolutionary Kaleidescape system.

What is Kaleidescape?
Maybe you’ve already heard of Kaleidescape. Maybe you already own a system. But if you’re new to the device, be ready to be blown away! Kaleidescape is a centrally located, house-wide DVD storage system that lets you play any film in your collection instantly. With its interactive and vibrant cover flow, each of your DVDs unique art comes alive. Or you can search through your collection by list or collection viewing, allowing you to browse movies by genre, cast, or even upload date. Yes, Kaleidescape does bring the ‘experience’ to the casual movie watching afternoon.

Why come to the Kaleidescape Event?
So you’ve got the basics of Kaleidescape under your belt. You know how to upload videos (and even CDs) to your system. You know how to browse your collection, and pause/play movies to watch them from different rooms. But do you know how to take advantage of every feature of your system? Come to Gramophone of Timonium on Saturday August 13 from 11:00am to 1:00pm to learn how to integrate features such as a Blu-ray Modular Disc Vault or the child-friendly remote into your system. Experience Kaleidescape at your fingertips on the Crestron touch-panel home automation display pad or even on the iPad! With the experts at Gramophone ready to answer your questions, you will become an pro on everything there is to know about Kaleidescape!

Sign up here to get all the information you need about the event: http://eepurl.com/eMDKA 

*Special Note:  We will be offering exculsive Kaleidescape pricing on a variety of packages, as well as special financing offers.  These offers will be made available only to those in attendance on August 13, 2011.  RSVP Now! events@gramophone.com

Beat the heat and throw a pool party your friends will never forget!

As the weather warms up forget cranking up the AC to stay cool. Instead, take your party outside and make your backyard the place to be!

What To Keep In Mind

 

The size of your pool and backyard are the first things to consider when planning your guest list.  Every pool has a maximum capacity, so don’t try to fit the entire Ravens team in your 12’x24’ family pool. You’ll end the night with only half of the water you started out with. Next, keep in mind the size of your backyard. Do you have a deck where most of your guests will be sitting and relaxing? Do you have enough seating spaces for everyone?

It is also important to start planning about a week ahead and regularly treat your pool and skim the surface of the water to keep it free of debris and to eliminate discoloration. These few and easy tasks will keep your pool looking fresh and appealing to your guests to swim in (because that’s the focus of your party, right?!).

 

Bring On The Games

 

If your guests bring their children make sure to provide a variety of toys that will be entertaining to all age groups. Children love simple and inexpensive water toys such as diving rings and foam noodles. These toys will keep kids busy for hours as they invent their countless new games to play. Also consider purchasing an extra set of inflatable rafts or kick boards to keep the kids afloat!

For the adults an across-the-pool volleyball net or a poolside basketball hoop can create a friendly rivalry among friends. To keep drinks cool, purchase a Mega Chill, an inflatable floating cooler that holds up to 24 cans of your favorite beverage and includes six cup holders along the outer ring.

 

 

Keep It High Tech

 

To get the best out of your outdoor space, consider amping up your backyard with weather-proof technologies- all of which are sold at Gramophone!  

James Loudspeaker offers a great set of concealed outdoor speakers that can make any space sound great without the worry of water damage.  The 70 volt Landscape Speaker set can be concealed in a flower planter and can be placed up to a quarter mile from the receiver without experiencing any signal loss.  The sleek and modern Outdoor Satellite speakers are also a great option when trying to blend your desire for fantastic sound quality with a family-friendly space.

If you are looking for an outdoor television, The SunBrite TV series, also sold at Gramophone, is perfect for your backyard paradise. The SunBrite televisions are rain, dust, and insect proof and resist the damaging effects of extreme temperatures. All models come with full HD and the anti-reflective screen reflects glare.

To put your outdoor space together Color Kinetics lighting systems, such as the Intelliwhite (iW) fixture, lets you adjust the range of outdoor lighting in your space from warm, neutral, to cool white LEDs. You can easily alter the mood of your space by controlling your lights on the external wall-mounted device.  

So get out there and enjoy your summer! Your backyard may just be your new go-to vacation paradise!

-Ela

 

 

Dads and Grads...on a budget

Looking to get dad an awesome Father’s Day gift that he can’t put down? Need to get your grad something extra special without breaking the bank? Father’s Day is just around the corner and graduations are recent news so here are a few cool items you can pick up right here at Gramophone that are sure to please even the biggest gadget guru.

Headphones

Beats by Dr. Dre

 

Beats are a must have for any college bound music enthusiast but even dad whose still into the golden oldies will absolutely love these incredible headphones. With noise cancelling features, ultra light design, and clear crisp HD sound, Beats are more than just headphones. They provide a stellar music listening experience every where you go! Beats on-ear start at just $199 in either red, black, silver, or white and come complete with a sturdy traveling case and cable connector to ensure durability.

 

 

Bowers and Wilkins P5

Now dads and grads can enjoy the same luxurious experience they love about Bowers & WIlkins everywhere they go with the  P5 noise-isolating, mobile hi-fi headphones. At an incredible price for the B&W quality, wow your dad and grad for under $300!

Looking for a review? Check out what Wired Magazine says about the B&W P5: “Heavenly Headphone Create Symphony Hall for Your Ears”.

 

iPod Docks & Speakers

Geneva Sound System Model S

Receiving the highest marks in its class, the Geneva Model S is as compact, portable, and high tech as it gets. When the iPod/iPhone is removed, the motorized PowerDock spins closed to protect it. Any dad or grad would be proud to own this powerful little box with easy to use touch light controls and a built digital clock radio.

Looking for a review? Check out what Wired Magazine says about the Geneva Model S: “iPod Dock Has Killer Looks, Sound to Match”.

Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin Mini

Give your dad or grad the gift of music, elegant, compact, and advanced music with the streamlined Zeppelin mini. Perfect for the office, dorm room, or new apartment, dads and grads alike will love the incredible sound delivered once again by B&W. Same great sound as the Zeppelin or Zeppelin Air with a much smaller price tag, only $299!

 

 

 Television

48-Month Special Financing Available from Sony*

Receive a Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player powered by Google TV when you buy a qualifying LED Sony BRAVIA HDTV listed below.  Valid to July 9, 2011.  Eligible Models: KDL-46HX729, KDL-55EX720, KDL-55HX729, KDL-55HX820, KDL-55NX720, XBR-55HX929.

*See store for details. Subject to credit approval.

Is your dad or grad more about catching the football game? Gramophone is proud to carry the latest in LCD TVs from Samsung, Sony, and Sharp with crisp, ultra clear displays. Starting in the $200 price range, the 19” LCDs are a perfect fit for any dorm room or office.

 

Sonos Wireless Home Sound System

Is this Father’s Day the time to get dad something extra special that he’s been wanting but, until now, your budget couldn’t fit? Visit Gramophone to check out the latest in wireless full-house music entertainment. Whether you plan to start dad out with a single one-room unit  or upgrade throughout the house, the Sonos Wireless Multi-Room Music System is the perfect solution to affordable zoned music.

 

Ask Julia what she would recommend for your Dad or Grad!

Upgrade your home to a permanent paradise and experience a “staycation” this summer

You go on a vacation to escape the daily grind, enjoy a new environment, and to simply relax. Work can be stressful, and sometimes you just need to get away. Well, what if you could skip all the lines, jet lag, and time spent traveling and enjoy something new at home?  Putting the money and effort that you would spend on a week-long vacation in, let’s say, Florida, into a state-of-the-art home theater system from Gramophone could be just what you’ve been searching for!

 

Understanding your spaces

Before you go out and buy anything new for your soon-to-be paradise, you need to first understand the “flow” of your room; and by flow I mean the feeling, design, and layout of your space.  

Scale and proportion should be the first properties examined.  You want to have the size of your furniture and accessories comparable to the size of your room (scale).  Don’t go out and purchase an extreme Lazy-Boy fold out sectional for a 10’ x 10’ room. It just won’t fit and you may start to feel like a character in Alice in Wonderland and her crazy encounters with the shrinking potion.  

Proportion is also important because it measures the size of one object against another.  For example, if you decide to purchase a B&W CM 9 floorstanding speakers, don’t pair them with a small television.  The proportion of your room will be unbalanced.

Next it’s important to put some thought into where you would like to place your television, that is if, if you decide to  reorganize. Sitting too close to your TV can be nauseating (no one really likes sit in the front row of the movie theater), but sitting too far away may force you to lean forward, putting strain on your back. The ideal distance (oh, the separation anxiety!) should be twice the width of the TV itself. Keeping this simple formula in mind can make for a much more comfortable environment! 


Finally, you should consider the traffic flow of your space.  Are many people coming in and out of the room? Would it be bothersome to you if they crossed your viewing area?  Maybe the fireplace is the central focus of your room.  If so, consider placing your TV above it so to keep the room balanced or integrating your television into a work of personal art, such as those produced by Vision Art, also sold at Gramophone.

 

The gadgets you’ll need

Gramophone can provide you with all of your home theater needs, from the interior design of your room (seating and lighting) to the set up of the speakers and television.  If, however, you are looking for a simple, yet impressive upgrade, consider simply purchasing a decent television and a right and left channel speaker set. The Sharp 70-inch flat panel television is a great LED television for rooms with lots of natural light. The matte screen suppresses reflection and the network jack includes built-in wifi. The Synchrony One Tower speaker set by PSB delivers excellent sound quality for both film and music recordings. Being a pair of freestanding speakers, the Synchrony One’s timeless and sleek design is a perfect start-up set that can easily be added onto.      

Putting it all together

Now that you’ve got your ideal staycation spot in your home, it’s time to take your at-home paradise outdoors! Follow these links to read about how to throw a bangin’ pool party or an amped up movie night, all with products sold at Gramophone!

 

McIntosh & Gramophone Celebrate the Good Life With “DIAMONDS ARE A GUY’S BEST FRIEND” Evening OF Music, Martinis, And Fine Food

McIntosh Laboratory, a global leader in home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for over 60 years, will be the featured performer at a special Gramophone home entertainment and music celebration on May 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Timonium location (4 West Aylesbury Road) and May 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Columbia location (8880 McGaw Road). The event will provide a first-hand look at some of McIntosh’s legendary audio gear and allow people to experience the intense emotional impact made possible by true no-compromise music reproduction. In addition to the McIntosh experience, the event will feature product demonstrations from Runco and Bowers & Wilkins. 

Guests will enjoy powerful high fidelity demonstrations from several McIntosh systems. Attendees are encouraged to bring in their favorite nostalgic vinyl records to experience listening to their music on a world-class audio system. 

Find Out What the “McIntosh Experience” Is All About
The Gramophone celebration will give area music lovers a taste of why discerning listeners have long considered McIntosh to be the “diamond standard” of great sound. Each McIntosh component is meticulously handcrafted in the U.S.A. at the company’s Binghamton, NY factory – and music lovers around the world regard the iconic “McIntosh Blue” front panel meters as the hallmark of unmatched quality, performance and reliability.

In fact, McIntosh has built a cult-like following around the world that has long included many of the world’s most discriminating audio enthusiasts and musicians – members from The Rolling Stones and The Grateful Dead, as well as John Mayer, Rob Thomas, Antonio L.A. Reid to name just a few.

RSVP to diamonds@gramophone.com, or call 410.308.1650

About McIntosh Laboratory
Since 1949, McIntosh Laboratory’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and quality continues to define the state-of-the-art in high fidelity and provide discriminating consumers around the world an elevated home entertainment experience. McIntosh high-performance audio and video products are handcrafted at the company’s Binghamton, New York headquarters. Its products reflect unmatched levels of performance, superlative engineering and hand craftsmanship. Built to last for decades, McIntosh components demand nothing less than an equal level of commitment to customer support and service. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. is a D&M Holdings company. For more information visit www.mcintoshlabs.com, join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mcintoshlabs or follow us on Twitter by searching for McIntoshLabsInc. All product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 

DISCLAIMER
Statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact include forward looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the company. We wish to caution you that such statements are just predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties surrounding competitive and industry conditions, market acceptance for the company's products, risks of litigation, technological changes, developing industry standards and other factors related to the company's businesses. The Company reserves all of its rights. 

10 Reasons To Join Us for a Martini Night...

Dear Readers,

I can imagine that maybe you're sick of me writing about all my product encounters...I can understand that; therefore, I'm going to move in a different direction.  We have an event rapidly approaching that will be: EPIC (that's what the kids are saying these days, right?) And we want you to join us.

On May 18th (at Timonium) and May 19th (at Columbia), we will be hosting an event titled: Diamonds are a Guy's Best Friend.  

1. There will be Custom-Colored Martinis.
2. Experience the difference that diamond makes in B&W's 800 series speakers.
3. Exclusive Promotions from B&W, McIntosh, and Runco on their hottest products!
4. Meet Charlie Randall, Presdient of McIntosh.
5. Learn how McIntosh uses garnet dust to manufacture their products.
6. Discover why a custom-colored TV from Runco may be in your future.
7. Delicious catering from a local restaurant.
8. Complimentary Valet Parking (who doesn't love to have someone else park their car?)
9. To the ladies: You'll definitely want to find out why your man is in love with diamonds too...
10. It's free to attend.

We know you want to attend, so send us your RSVP to diamonds@gramophone.com.

Cheers!

Kate