Sherwood Newcastle R-876 Network A/V Receiver Preview

Sherwood America Inc. announced today the introduction of two new high-performance audio/video components at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Branded with the premium Sherwood Newcastle designation, the R-876 Network audio-video receiver features the Trinnov Optimizer,an advanced room correction system, and the BD-876 3D Blu-ray player, the first-ever Newcastle Blu-ray player, is enabled for Internet video streaming. Both the receiver and the Blu-ray player will be available in July 2011, with an MSRP of $1199.95 for the receiver and $399.95 for the 3D Blu-ray player.

"These new products expand the range of the Sherwood Newcastle product line and make state of the art performance even more affordable," said Gary Granning, Sherwood Vice President Sales. "Our first Newcastle Blu-ray player provides superb picture and sound, and is a single solution for HD viewing in the home theater thanks to its Internet streaming capability. And at a remarkable price, the R-876 receiver includes the world's most advanced room correction system. Even when speakers aren't placed in the ideal location, listeners will hear sonic images placed in the correct spatial location."

Sherwood Newcastle R-876 Audio/Video Receiver

The R-876 joins Sherwood's R-972 as the world's only receivers to feature the Trinnov Optimizer Room Correction system. In addition to conventional room correction, the Optimizer performs a unique 3D spatial correction unlike any other available technology. It recreates the original soundfield heard by the sound mix engineer, by remapping sound images to their proper location, both horizontally and vertically, even when speakers are not ideally placed in the listener's room.

Sherwood's first Control 4 certified A/V receiver, the R-876 can directly integrate into Control 4 home control systems. 3D ready, the receiver features 6 HDMI 1.4 inputs that incorporate repeater and Audio Return Channel capability. Two HDTV displays can be used simultaneously through dual HDMI 1.4a outputs that also provide Audio Return Channel support. The UPnP receiver can connect wirelessly to home networks through a USB 802.11n Wi-Fi adaptor, and is DLNA 1.5 certified. Internet Audio streaming is available through the Pandora, Rhapsody and Aupeo interactive music services, in addition to Internet Radio from Reciva and ShoutCAST. The receiver also supports Windows 7 'Plays To.'

The R-876 provides seven channels of totally discrete amplification, rated at 125 watts per channel with no more than 0.05% THD with all channels driven. 192KHz/24 bit Digital to Analog converters ensure audio purity, and lossless audio playback of DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD is on board. Additional decoding includes DTS 96/24, DTS ES and Neo6, along with Dolby Digital and Dolby ProLogic IIz. WMA and MP3 audio playback is also provided, and for non-surround sources, eight synthesized DSP surround modes can be selected.

In addition to the 6 HDMI 1.4 in and 2 out, interfaces include 4 component video inputs and a single output, plus 5 composite inputs and two outputs. Audio connections include two coaxial and two optical digital inputs, and one optical output. For analog sources, there are 8 analog inputs and one output. Supporting the resurgent interest in LP playback, the R-876 includes a phono input. Also provided are dual USB inputs.

Video processing is through the Anchor Bay ABT2010 chip, which can convert and upscale all video through the HDMI output. A 1080p bypass is available for purists.

Three zones of playback are available to accommodate remote listening, with all audio and video sources available in all zones, including sources using the HDMI and SPDIF inputs. Control is through the provided IR remote control, RS-232 or Control 4. The R-876 is also iPod-Ready, via Sherwood's DigiLink-i system. Its Quartz PLL Synthesized tuner provides 30 presets, and the receiver is Sirius ready. Additional features include adjustable A/V sync delay, selectable by input, a Dynamic range control, and Sherwood Cinema EQ.

About Sherwood America
Sherwood Electronic Labs was founded in Chicago in 1953 to manufacture an amplifier designed by legendary audio engineer Ed Miller. Determined to design high performance audio gear and to manufacture it themselves, Miller and his partner John Snow created a company that established the standard for audio excellence and efficient manufacturing. As advanced audio electronics have evolved, Sherwood's contributions have been invaluable. The world's first commercial FM stereo broadcast employed Sherwood technology. Sherwood was the first to introduce tuners with digital readouts and computer-control. And, most significantly, Sherwood made the industry's first 100% all-silicon solid-state audio receiver. The company's leadership continues today. Not only is the Sherwood brand synonymous with high performance audio worldwide, but Sherwood is also the actual manufacturer of nearly one-third of the world's high performance receivers. While many of these products carry brand names that may be better known than our own, none are built with the same sense of pride as those that bear the Sherwood name, and none are better built or better engineered than those that bear our Newcastle badge -- the best we build for anyone. In the fiercely competitive and rapidly changing field of consumer electronics, where companies shift production sites from one low-cost country to another, Sherwood is a leading light, an international symbol of unsurpassed quality, and one of the few companies to manufacture all the products bearing its name. Fittingly, the company continues to be guided by Ed Miller's enduring philosophy: Design audio gear that offers only the highest levels of performance and make it yourself. For more information, go to www.sherwoodusa.com

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.