IFA 2012: Yamaha unveils £500 CD player/streamer

There's some interesting new kit on the Yamaha stand here at IFA.

First up is the £500 CDN-500, a combined CD player and music streamer. It's DLNA-enabled for connecting to your network, and there's USB playback of FLAC 192kHz/24-bit and Apple Lossless audio.

A pure direct function bypasses any extraneous circuitry for optimum playback of CDs. And there's full control of the CDN-500 via Yamaha's MusicPlay app.

Yamaha also has five new desktop audio systems on show, with CD players, iPod/iPhone docks and DAB+/FM radios built in. A couple of models – the TSX-B232, MCR-B142 and PDX-B11 – are also Bluetooth enabled for wireless music streaming.

All five models benefit from a new DTA Controller app that allows you to programme their alarms via your iOS device.

Prices for the systems are as follows: TSX-132 £350; TSX-B232 £400; MCR-042 £300; MCR-B142 £350; and PDX-B11 £120. All will be available this winter.

Not to be outdone by its rivals, Yamaha is introducing a new five-strong range of headphones from September, priced from £100-£250. There are three Pro Series over-ear models and two HPHMT models aimed at hi-fi enthusiasts.

Last, but not least, Yamaha has a trio of new home cinema soundbars, the YSP-3300 (£1000), YSP-4300 (£1300) and YAS201 £350).

The first two use Yamaha's Intellibeam technology to bounce sound around your room, and come with a wireless active subwoofer that uses AirWired2 tech. The YSP-4300 also has a USB input on the front and built-in FM tuner.

The Yamaha YAS-201 is different in that it uses Yamaha's Airsurround Xtreme system, rather than Intellibeam, to throw sound around the room. It too comes with a wireless active sub and is available in gloss balck or white.

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.