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Sterns Moves Quickly to Rework Sony’s CI Business

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Sony logoWhen we first reported on the appointment of Frank Sterns as Sony’s VP  of A/V Specialty/Custom Integration on the eve of the September 2013 CEDIA Expo, like many of you…we were skeptical. After all, we’ve heard encouraging announcements from Sony before…only to watch those initiatives in limited distribution, high-end products fall into disrepair through over-distribution, under-resourcing, or both.

But this time is different, Sterns tells us. And as he runs around the country setting up a whole new sales operation…we’re beginning to believe him.

See more on Sterns’ rapid ramp-up of a new Specialty A/V-CIS division for Sony… [Read more…] about Sterns Moves Quickly to Rework Sony’s CI Business

AVAD Hit by Significant Layoffs Associated with Ingram Micro Restructuring

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BREAKING NEWS

AVAD LogoIn a story that has largely flown under the radar in our industry but is being widely discussed at street level, Ingram Micro has announced plans it calls its “global organizational effectiveness program” that, among other things, calls for substantial layoffs in its North American operations. These layoffs will hit a division that is one of our industry’s largest distributors of custom integration products, known to most of us as AVAD.

Details of the restructuring are incomplete…but what we know so far appears sobering… [Read more…] about AVAD Hit by Significant Layoffs Associated with Ingram Micro Restructuring

Kaleidescape to Comment on Our Report, But Only to Dealers on Private Intranet

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BREAKING NEWS

Kaleidescape logoWe reported last week that a shake-up was taking place at media-server maker Kaleidescape that included the exit of several key employees, including the CEO. We attempted several times to reach the company for a comment, but even when we finally spoke to Kaleidescape’s VP of Marketing, they refused to comment on our report. However, after our story ran, we received word that the company did intend to respond.

Now we know Kaleidescape’s response…sort of… [Read more…] about Kaleidescape to Comment on Our Report, But Only to Dealers on Private Intranet

Audio Control Launches Two New A/V Receivers Targeted for the CI Channel

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Audio Control logoAudio Control – the U.S. manufacturer of a unique line of solutions for mobile, home, and industrial markets – announced at the end of February that it has launched two new audio/video receiver (AVR) models called the Concert AVR-6 and AVR-8. These two new models replace the existing AVR-4 with upgraded construction and new capabilities, including support for 4K Ultra HDTV and 3D.

See more on this new AVR line-up from a long-time provider of unique solutions… [Read more…] about Audio Control Launches Two New A/V Receivers Targeted for the CI Channel

Happy Birthday Azione – Retail Buying Group Reaches Key Milestone

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Photo of birthday cakeAzione Unlimited, a buying group consisting largely of custom integrators and retailers announced this week that it had reached the ripe old age of 2-years-old. The now toddling group was launched by Richard Glikes shortly after he left his stint at yet another retail buying group, HTSA. When Azione was launched, some questioned its viability, but this announcement goes a long way towards putting those questions to rest.

See why this announcement represents a key milestone for Azione… [Read more…] about Happy Birthday Azione – Retail Buying Group Reaches Key Milestone

The DaVinci Group Promotes Jeff Francisco to President as Part of Sales Team Expansion

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The DaVinci Group logoThe DaVinci Group, Inc., a young but rapidly growing manufacturer of custom integration products, announced today at the 2014 ISE show that Jeff Francisco has been named President of the company. Francisco has been the company’s Vice President of Sales for most of the last year.

According to the company, this announcement is part of an overall expansion of its executive team, as the company seeks to build up its infrastructure to better address its rapid growth.

Learn more about this appointment…and why the company needed to take this step now… [Read more…] about The DaVinci Group Promotes Jeff Francisco to President as Part of Sales Team Expansion

The DaVinci Group Adds New Sales & Distribution Partners

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Photo of The DaVinci Group speakerThe DaVinci Group (TDG) announced that it has added new partners to its sales representative and distribution network, expanding its sales force backbone to help better serve dealers and integrators as the company continues to grow. The Ontario, CA-based company launched at the end of last year and says it has experienced rapid growth through the end of 2013. This growth continues to accelerate as the company brings more regions on board,

See which reps and distributors have joined TDG as well as what regions they serve… [Read more…] about The DaVinci Group Adds New Sales & Distribution Partners

Seeing Through to the Essence of ClearView

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Photo of new ClearView ClioSometimes making no impression is the way to make the biggest impression of all! Massachusetts-based ClearView® Audio (www.clearviewaudio.com/) launched an innovative transparent music system at CES 2014 and is enjoying a great response from dealers, domestic and international. Called Clio, this first product stands just over 9 inches tall, streams over Bluetooth, and has an MSRP of $349. [Read more…] about Seeing Through to the Essence of ClearView

High End Amongst the High Rollers – Pass Labs Launches All-New X.8 Amplifiers at CES

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200_PASSlogosmwebPass Laboratories, Inc., the company founded by renowned amplifier designer Nelson Pass, is out amongst the high rollers of Las Vegas with a new line of high quality amplifiers called the X.8 (Point 8) Series Amplifiers. With a design philosophy described as “music first,” Pass Labs says these amps were seven years in the making and are just now being launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in the Venetian Tower, Room 34-209.

See more details on these spectacular amplifiers from Pass Labs… [Read more…] about High End Amongst the High Rollers – Pass Labs Launches All-New X.8 Amplifiers at CES

HiFiMan Lauches Two New Digital Music Players at CES

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Photo of HiFiMAN 802 digital music player
HiFiMAN HM-802

HiFiMan is an independent manufacturer of a variety of largely high-performance audio products. We first met the company two years ago at CES, and were amused and impressed with company founder Dr. Fang Bian. Bian is an enthusiastic lover of high quality music and created some superior digital media players and headphones to better reproduce it. Serious, but sincere, Bian’s company has launched two new interesting digital music players – one offering “reference” level performance…and the other a more affordable option for the music lover on a budget.

See more on these interesting new products from a digital audiophile company… [Read more…] about HiFiMan Lauches Two New Digital Music Players at CES