Onyko HD Audio PC

Onkyo said today that it would buck tradition by releasing the HDC-1.0, billed as one of the few true HD audio PCs. Rather than focus on video playback as with a home theater PC, the Onkyo system is designed solely for audiophiles and revolves around an Onkyo-built, 24-bit/192KHz sound card with a 110dB signal-to-noise ratio for cleaner stereo music. Audio purists will further appreciate the external power supply and single 80mm fan, Onkyo claims, as they reduce the likelihood of electromagnetic interference or noise with the computer itself. A 1.66GHz mobile Core 2 Duo, 1GB of memory, a 120GB hard disk and audio output in both analog as well as optical form are part of the sole configuration.

The PC's software also reflects its musical focus: though based on Windows Vista Home Basic rather than the Media Center-equipped Home Premium, the HDC-1.0 comes preloaded with the stereo maker's CarryOnMusic 10 for managing music and has access to the e-onkyo music store, which is one of the few such services to sell music in WMA Lossless format. Onkyo sells the system by itself today for $1,739; an optional APX-1 digital amplifier raises the overall price to $2,054. [via New Launches]

By Electronista Staff