T+A Cala and CS Mini – The ideal system for digital music lovers
T+A, Germany’s largest specialist audio manufacturer, is pleased to announce Cala and CS Mini – a compact digital music system and speaker package aimed at those who store their music digitally. Complete with Bluetooth connectivity for mobile media devices, no matter how you access your music, Cala gives you full access to your content at audiophile quality. With a UK SRP of £1490.00 for the Cala and £600.00 per pair for the optional CS Mini speakers, both products are available in the UK now.
A huge amount is packed into Cala’s small yet solid aluminium case: a UPnP streaming client for Internet radio, network access and facilities for hard discs, memory sticks and iPod, a high-quality FM RDS tuner plus a Bluetooth module to A2DP standard. The latter represents a fast, simple method of pairing any mobile audio device to the receiver and, therefore, provides extremely convenient audio file playback. There is also two analogue inputs for connecting additional sources.
All the signal processing takes place in the digital domain thanks to the machine’s ultra-modern digital signal processor. It provides a crucial improvement in sound quality, as it eliminates the need for additional conversion of the digital sources, and all data processing is carried out at 24-bit resolution with HD audio quality.
The array of sockets on the back panel demonstrates Cala’s impressive facilities. Access to new music media is provided by a LAN socket and/or WLAN aerial, while the USB port is designed to accept hard discs and memory sticks, or an iDevice including control and battery charging. Cala’s heavy-duty loudspeaker terminals are capable of accommodating audiophile cable and an output for an active sub-woofer is also present.
So that Cala can be used in any size room, a high-performance DSP (Digital Signal Processor) offers pre-set modes for various installation positions whilst regulating all the tone settings and bass management. In addition, it also processes and controls the loudspeaker output signals and converts the two analogue inputs into digital form so that they can be processed digitally.
The amplifier section consists of high-speed bridged switching output stages with a continuous output of more than 50 Watts - ample even for large loudspeakers and big rooms. An effectively stabilised mains power supply provides ample energy at all times, whilst a sophisticated protective circuit monitors all operating states.
The Cala is equipped with T+A’s Streaming Client, granting access to the local network (WLAN or LAN), and all UPnP servers connected to it, including computers and Internet radio. T+A has arranged a service contract with vTuner Internet Radio Service which enables purchasers of its streaming client products to create individual station and favourites lists at no charge; these are presented automatically when Internet radio is selected.
The case is made of solid aluminium, and is produced in a single process using a complex extruding tool. It is then blasted with fine glass beads before being anodised. The internal chassis, on which all the electronic circuitry is mounted, is also made of aluminium, while the front panel and top cover consist of high-gloss acrylic.
Cala’s uncluttered front panel is devoid of physical controls, as all its functions are operated using the included F 100 system remote control in a logical and intuitive manner. The large-format, high-resolution graphic screen displays all data and information in context-sensitive form in multiple font sizes, and offers user-variable screen brightness.
NB – T+A will be launching a full control app in the summer of 2012. In the meantime, network users can also use any of the UPnP remote apps (such as PlugPlayer) to control Cala.
The CSMini is a small loudspeaker, but only in its physical dimensions. Although just 13 cm wide, 15 cm deep and 22 cm tall, it sounds like a significantly larger speaker due to its cabinet being made of solid aluminium, whose walls are much thinner than those of a comparable cabinet made of timber. The result is a substantial effective internal volume and correspondingly good bass response.
As with the Cala, the whole case is produced as a sophisticated extrusion, including all stiffening elements and mounting lugs, allowing it to exhibit a completely flawless glass bead blasted and anodized finish all round. The high-quality two-way drive unit arrangement consists of a 4” (10 cm) bass / mid-range driver with large magnet and special cone material with good damping, and a 1” (25 mm) woven dome tweeter. Combined with a refined cross-over unit with low bass equalisation, CSMini produce an amazingly harmonious and natural sound quality.
Cala from T+A is available now in the UK with a UK SRP of £1490.00. The CSMini’s are also available now with a UK SRP of £600.00 per pair.
For further details, go to www.ta-hifi.com
T+A is distributed in the UK by Avoke Ltd. Contact details are:
Avoke Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 7876 246956
Email: info@avoke.co.uk
www.avoke.co.uk
For further information, interview requests, images or review products, please contact Andy Napthine of Napthine Porter on 07920 425166 / andy@napthineporter.com or Alan Porter on 07922 073208 / alan@napthineporter.com
Notes to editors
T+A (Theory and Application) is one of Germany’s largest specialist audio brands and is committed to developing, manufacturing and distributing audio products of the highest standard possible. Based in Herford in Eastern Westphalia (near Hanover) since 1978, T+A develop and produce all of its products in house. These include amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, CD players, network streamers, turntables and speakers. Extremely long product cycles, extended service life and wide range of retro-fit options make a T+A system an excellent investment for the future.
Napthine Porter is a public relations agency that specialises in consumer electronics. For further details of our clients, please visit our website - www.napthineporter.com
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