PARASOUND AMPLIFIERS..SO GREAT......

 

Here are 5 very good reasons why you should be selling the
Parasound Hint integrated amplifier.
 

"Excellent sound quality and loads of useful features? Parasound's stereo amp shows the way.." What Hi-Fi? October 2016

 

 

The world's biggest selling hi-fi magazine and website, What Hi-Fi?, has just heaped tonnes of praise on the Parasound Halo integrated amplifier (HINT), saying,

"If you’re looking for a well-equipped integrated, but aren’t prepared to sacrifice performance, give this Parasound serious consideration."
 

Summing up the fantastic review, they said, "We’re pleasantly surprised by the Halo Integrated. It’s not often that such a fully-specified amplifier still delivers top-class sound quality.

We like how Parasound hasn’t just treated the extra features like a box-ticking exercise, but has worked hard to make them perform well.

If you’re after one do-it-all amp, there are few better alternatives."

Read the full review at:
http://www.whathifi.com/parasound/halo-integrated/review#L7d7iozqqDWqewvZ.99



Hi-Fi Choice also sang the praises of the Hint, in the 5-star review, saying, "There's nothing not to like about this great value mid-price integrated."




And it's not just the Hint that's been getting some serious attention lately, just look at these fantastic reviews of Parasound JC3+ phono stage:
 

Concluding the awards entry, Hi-Fi News said, "The only delay in purchasing one will be deciding if you want it in silver of black..."


Hi-Fi World said it is "Outstanding - amongst the best"




Isn't it time you tried them for yourself? Contact us to find out more and arrange a visit and demonstration:

UNLIMITED HD STREAMING WITH THE LATEST IPTV SOLUTION..FINALLY!!!

Dear All,

As purveyors of IPTV from the very beginning,having trialed hundreds of "solutions" and services-as the largest quality IPTV box supplier in Portugal we feel exceptionally pleased to announce possibly the ideal solution devised from the ground up for t.v. streaming.

The solution is called STREAM 360 and involves a custom firmware MAG 256 IPTV box (*Latest on the market) partnered with a router optimised for streaming with unlimited Vodaphone sim.

We have taken our time with our solution devised to be cost effective -our Unlimited Router-though the best,is 50% of the cost of some offerings we have seen..invariably these offerings will use older MAG250 and 254 IPTV boxs BECAUSE they have not figured out-as we have-how to run the custom firmware needed to allow service streaming for the MAG256...

Of course our proficiency is in all things Audio Video -we dont operate from fake address`s or out the back of a van ,our company has successfully traded for 17 years now..9 as a Custom Install company in Portugal..we are CEDIA members and ISF and THX qualified..the highest qualifications within our industry.

So we know what it takes to get a great picture and how to do so..:-)

With two large showrooms in Almancil and Luz and customer service that is second to none-we are here to stay-streaming though is still in its infancy,so perfection due to folks having mediocre internets is difficult to achieve-our solution (*with 4K already coming) is a giant step forwards!!!

STREAM 360 CONCEPT...


1 X MAG256 IPTV BOX...*

PLUS

1 X STREAM 360 ROUTER ..............................349 Euros

WITH UNLIMITED SERVICE FOR 12MTHS...540 Euros


The best system..the best price....Streaming services available from 200 Euros per 12mths...

ON DEMO NOW AT OUR SHOWROOMS 

ITS A KIND OF MAGIC!!!

WANT A CINEMA?..WORRIES ABOUT BREXIT?....THE EURO?.....WE HAVE AN ANSWER.....

There will be a fear, amongst even the wealthiest potential purchasors, of the Brexit scenario-especially with the low performance of the Euro to the Pound.

We do of course have the ideal counter..

..And that is...we can offer our clients dealer prices which translates to significant discounts BECAUSE we are distributors for most of our major brands.

This fact "counters" any objection from the client who is hesitant to purchase...

We just say.."Well the Brexit/Euro situation wont affect you because we shall give you dealer rates on your pricing which counteracts any "Brexit" loss"...

We are of course the ONLY a.v. company in the Algarve able to offer this

Rgds,

Vincent Myers M.D.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH...DATASAT,PARASOUND,SCREEN EXCELLENCE,M & K SOUND,SONY PRO 4K- THE CHOICE OF PROFESSIONALS...TOGETHER AT PROJECTIONDREAMS..

Projectiondreams, the Algarve based Audio-Video company, has carried out an upgrade to their flagship Almancil cinema that raises the bar for high-end Cinema performance.  In a move that merges the lines between domestic and commercial Cinema standards they have expertly mixed a range of products steeped in Cinematic tradition and pedigree.  

The star of the show is the Datasat RS20i processor which delivers a sonic performance equalled only by a handful of commercial products, this feeds three Parasound Halo amplifiers, used by Dolby Labs in California in their testing facility.  The amplifiers drive an array of 13 Miller and Kreisel speakers and 12 inch subwoofer that can perfectly replicate both Dolby Atmos and Auro 3D soundtracks.  M&K Speakers are used in virtually all major recording and film studios around the world due to their renowned reproduction accuracy, Lucasfilm, Disney and Columbia Tristar are just three names that are M&K aficionados.  Projectiondream´s MD, Vincent Myers, states that "The goal of any AV company is to bring the Director´s vision to the home with as little alteration as possible, this is made easier by using the same speakers and amplifiers that the film was actually mixed on."

Apart from the sonic wizardry, the visual side of the cinema has been revamped with a Sony 4K projector that boasts HDR (High Definition Range) and a 4K screen from Screen Excellence that combine to give a dynamic lifelike picture.  Also on show are new acoustic panels made by the Projectiondreams Aesthetics division that finish off the luxurious ambience perfectly.  

THE BRAND NEW MAG 256 IPTV BOX...DONT SETTLE FOR LESS,DONT BE LEFT BEHIND....!!!

ITS HERE FOLKS!!!

ONLY AT PROJECTIONDREAMS.............FIRST AS USUAL!!!!!


IPTV has evolved and Projectiondreams continues to stay cutting edge whilst "competitors" sell Mag 250`s with cheapo packages..our offering is high end with a fantastic ensemble of services and the support of the best A.V. company in Portugal and the only company with two ACTUAL showrooms showcasing every quality element of Audio and Video.

The MAG 256 IPTV Box Has Arrived FASTER PROCESSOR... DOUBLE THE MEMORY... BETTER VIDEO PROCESSING... With over 1,500 IPTV boxes and IPTV clients, Projection Dreams is easily the largest supplier of quality HD IPTV boxes in the region. Committed to excellence, growing with the market and keeping up with the latest innovations and equipment, Projection Dreams is proud to announce that we have received our first shipment of the eagerly awaited MAG 256 IPTV box. With a faster processor (ARM Cortex A9 1.5Ghz), double the memory (1Gb) than the older MAG 250 & MAG 254, using the latest Linux software and including the latest video codec (H.265) for faster video processing, the new MAG 256 box is sure to increase reliability, quality of images and will stream at a faster rate than the older slower MAG 250 & MAG 254 versions. High Efficiency Video Coding – HEVC or H.265 video encoding, is the latest video compression technique which allows bigger video files to be transferred across the internet faster, and then uncompressed for immediate play back on a H.265 compliant device – the MAG 256! Projection Dreams are the first IPTV supplier in the region to offer this no-nonsenseMAG 256 box over other suppliers who are still offering the older, slower MAG 250 & MAG 254 box. For a limited time only, Projection Dreams are offering a trade-in discount for existing clients to upgrade to the MAG 256 box from the MAG 250 or 254 box. Prices for the MAG 256 box are only 175 euros and Projection Dreams will discount 30 euros for the MAG 250 box and 50 euros for the MAG 254 box when upgrading to a MAG 256. If you are using another service or system, call us today to take advantage of the incredible packages we have to offer including the new MAG 256. Don’t settle for 2nd best! GET THE BEST... TODAY! CALL Projection Dreams NOW! t. (+351) 289 040 403 (Almancil) or (+351) 282 760 002 (Praia da Luz) or email sales@projectiondreams.com

CINEMA AND OBJECT BASED AUDIO

An introduction to Object Based Audio   Or in other words, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D.

What is OBA?

While regular home cinema systems comprise five, seven, nine or more speakers wrapped around a room to provide the surround sound experience, OBA takes this two stages further. Instead of the sound emanating from a horizontal circle of speakers, with the sounds panned around from speaker to speaker, OBA adds speakers above head height (and/or in the ceiling) which provide a third dimension to the sound experience, allowing the sound to come not just from the horizontal plane but the vertical as well.   This gives a much larger soundstage, with the addition of height and is very impressive in its own right, but where the technology really comes into its own is in the precision placement of the sounds. When the director and sound engineers are at the post production stage with their movie, they can position the sounds anywhere within a three dimensional space, so you feel like you’re right in the middle the action. In effect the sounds are freed up from the constraints of traditional channels (front, sides, rears etc.) and are now treated as individual audio objects (hence OBA) which can be placed anywhere in the room. The processing electronics then determine which combination of speakers in the room are required to position the sound exactly where the director wanted it.

Who makes OBA systems?

The first company to come to market with an OBA offering was, unsurprisingly, Dolby. As world leaders in cinema sound the company first introduced its Dolby Atmos system for use in commercial cinemas. With up to 64 independent speakers, the opportunities for creative sound design are immense. The Dolby Atmos sound objects (a total of 118) are used in conjunction with the traditional surround sound set up that features 9.1 beds of audio (nine conventional channels plus one sub-bass channel), to give a total of up to 128 independent audio tracks. You can read more about the Dolby Atmos cinema system at this link: www.dolby.com/us/en/technologies/cinema/dolby-atmos.html   Dolby then introduced a domestic version of Atmos, scaled down from the 64 speakers used in a cinema to a much more manageable number, typically seven, nine or 11 (although it is possible to use up to 34 speakers in a very large installation - 24 on the floor and 10 overhead). The nomenclature for the domestic set ups follows the familiar 5.1, 7.1, 9.1 pattern established by conventional home cinema, but also indicates the number of ceiling/elevation speakers employed, e.g. 5.1.2 (five main speakers, one subwoofer and two ceiling speakers) or 7.1.4 (seven main speakers, one subwoofer and four ceiling speakers). You can read more about the Dolby Atmos home system here: http://www.dolby.com/us/en/brands/dolby-atmos.html

Hot on the heels of Dolby was a system developed by Belgium based Auro Technologies called Auro-3D. Again taking the standard 5.1, 7.1 format, Auro-3D enhances this with both height and overhead channels. The height information recorded during production is mixed into a standard 5.1 surround PCM carrier and the Auro-3D decoder extracts the signals during playback to recreate the height channels via speakers placed around the room at 30 degrees above head height. This configuration is referred to as 9.1 (five ear-level surround speakers, four height speakers and one sub-bass speaker). A single overhead speaker (sometimes called the Voice of God speaker) adds an extra dimension and forms a link between the height layer speakers around the room for ‘fly-over’ effects. The nomenclature for the simplest system featuring this VOG speaker is 10.1. Adding an extra height centre channel speaker makes it into an 11.1 system and two additional rear surround channels make it 13.1. More information on the Auro-3D system can be found at this link: http://www.auro-3d.com/consumer/experience/ An additional technology called AuroMax expands the basic Auro 11.1 and Auro 13.1  into "zones", allowing placement of sound at discrete points around the wall or ceiling and within the three dimensional space, making it similar to the other object based audio formats.

The third variant of OBA comes from DTS in the guise of its DTS:X system. This differs from the other two systems in that it isn’t tied to a particular speaker layout and will work (to a degree) with existing simple 5.1 speaker systems. In the cinema environment, the speaker array used for DTS:X is a hybrid of the Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D set ups, with a standard eight channel base layer, a five channel height layer and three rows of speakers in the ceiling. During the post production for the movie, the sound can be placed in three dimensional space using DTS:X’s Multi Dimensional Audio platform, just like the Dolby Atmos system. The DTS:X soundtrack from a Blu-ray is then decoded by the processor according to the number of speakers connected to it and their position in the room, giving the best possible results for that particular speaker set up. This makes it truly backwards compatible with existing surround sound systems, but for the best results the additional height/ceiling speakers are going to be needed. More information about the DTS:X system can be found here: http://dts.com/dtsx

What's required for OBA in the home?

Just like a traditional surround system you’ll need a Blu-ray plaver, processor and speakers. Most of the major electronics brands are now incorporating OBA into their processors, particularly Dolby Atmos and DTS:X systems. Models such as the Yamaha RXA-660 feature both formats and are a very cost effective means of getting OBA into a customer’s house. As standard Blu-ray player can be used as all the processing is done within the AV Receiver. The speakers for the main channels can be identical to the ones used for standard surround systems. For example ourCabasse Eole 3 sub/sat package is the perfect starting point for a compact OBA system. Or a more substantial installation could be done using dedicated cinema in-wall speakers such as the Atlantic Technology IW-155. The requirement for height speakers presents the installer with two possible options: install dedicated in-ceiling speakers use specially designed up-firing speakers The installation of ceiling speakers is the potentially tricky part of an OBA system. In a new build property or renovation, it’s not an issue of course, but upgrading an existing surround system or installing a whole new OBA system in a ‘finished’ house with the need to install ceiling speakers can be problematic. For that reason, it is possible to specify dedicated up-firing speakers that beam the height channel information from the walls up to the ceiling, where it is reflected back to the listening position, creating a very effective illusion of sound coming from the ceiling. The Atlantic Technology 44-DAis such a speaker, designed to sit on top of floor-standing front/surround speakers or on a wall mounted shelf. Where it is possible to install in-ceiling speakers, theCabasse Eole 3 system can be augmented with the matching dedicated Eole 3 in-ceiling version. Or for bigger systems the AtlanticTechnology IC6 OBAis a specially designed in-ceiling speaker for use with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D systems. It features a frequency response and radiation pattern that has been specifically engineered to provide wide dispersion, eliminating hot spots that occur with standard in-ceiling speakers.

How do you set up the speakers for an OBA system?

Generally the setup is as per a standard 5.1, 7.1 or 9.1 system with the addition of the height channels. As DTS:X is not speaker position or number dependent, the two configurations that can be employed are specified by Dolby and Auro. For a Dolby Atmos based system the additional two or four height channel speakers are installed in the ceiling or up-firing speakers can be used as per this set up guide: http://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/dolby-atmos-speaker-setup/index.html Auro-3D is slightly different, in that the height speakers are installed on the wall directly above the positions of the main left, right, centre and surround channels at 30 degrees above the listening position. The VOG speaker is to be installed in the ceiling, directly above the main listening position. Typical Auro-3D speaker set ups and an explanation of the three sound layers are accessible here: http://www.auro-3d.com/system/concept/

What content is available?

The film companies were a little slow to respond to the opportunities of OBA and so content has been hard to come by. Fortunately this has changed now and the number of Blu-rays being offered with Dolby Atmos soundtracks is increasing all the time. For the latest catalogue of films see this link: http://www.dolby.com/us/en/experience/dolby-atmos/bluray-and-streaming.html DTS:X movies on Blu-ray are listed here: http://dts.com/discover/dtsx-movies-at-home The limited number of Auro-3D Blu-rays can been seen at this link: http://www.auro-3d.com/consumer/ As more content is being released all the time it is worth bookmarking these links so you can check back regularly to see what new films have been released. For owners of existing collections of discs, the AV Receivers will convert existing surround sound tracks into pseudo OBA, providing a very effective soundtrack upgrade for legacy movie collections.

DATASAT APPOINT PROJECTIONDREAMS DISTRIBUTOR FOR PORTUGAL

Folks,

Projectiondreams are exceptionally proud to have been chosen as the Datasat distributors for Portugal.

Alistair Bourne of Projectiondreams having completed all the training is now certified on Datasat and Dirac equipment to Cinema level one.

http://www.datasatdigital.com/consumer/info-center/press-and-awards/


Our Almancil Cinema has now had a major revamp to include a new 14 channel Dolby Atmos/Auro 3D Datasat RS20i system using M AND K SOUND speakers with Parasound amplification.

IF you want the best possible Cinema in your home ..come and see whats possible...

Datasat RS20i 

Built by audiophiles for audiophiles, no expense has been spared in producing the most versatile, customizable and feature-rich audio processor available today in the high end consumer space.

With sleek, elegant looks designed by Neal Feay Company, an award-winning designer of consumer electronics, the Datasat RS20i makes an attractive component of any luxury home entertainment system. 

With great looks comes real power.

Developed on the same Datasat platform as our audio processor systems for professional cinema, the RS20i delivers a new dimension in surround sound excellence. Audio is transparent and true-to-source to ensure that the listening experience is every bit as stunning as the visuals.

Designed by the Datasat engineering team, the circuitry design and audio quality is second to none. Including such features such as memory profile settings, stackable multiple EQs, room optimisation/correction and extensive automation controls (not previously seen in high end audio processors) the RS20i is a cut above the competition.

Dialog is crystal clear, sound tracks sound like they are being played from the original mixing desk and features such as HDMI v1.4a mean the RS20i can also seamlessly handle 3D video content.

The RS20i is a professional sound solution. Once configured, it is easy to manage with all the power of a cinema audio processor available at your fingertips through your smartphone, iPad or laptop.

Datasat’s entrance into the high end consumer market is a natural progression based upon its many years in the professional cinema market. 

Click here to download a recent product review