Does that mean wireless video streaming from an iPod? From the press releases looks like perhaps not: there's only A2DP Bluetooth profiles, and there's mention of a Cat5 network cable connecting the base unit to another extender unit with the S-video socket. But that'd make it wired, right? Anyway, it's due out in Japan in January, with a $270 price tag putting it in the audiophile category. [AVWatch]

Unlike the messy twerps that stole your life after plastic had torn, the Marantz CR201 will only give your life a new positive direction once you do away with the plastic covering. If the leeches children leave you with $759.00 at the end of the month, why not treat yourself? OK, so it isn't going to happen—we're trying to help, man. We really are. [Product Page via Sci Fi Tech]

The projector is still not cheap, but its price has plummeted from a steep $15,280 in June 2006's model to $8,471 for this one (although we saw the same projector in an undated US press release for $10K). Looks like a pricing trend: much better performance, almost half the price. Still, you can pick up a 1080p projector with similar performance for about a third of that. To be released in Japan in November, Marantz isn't saying when or if its VP-15S1 will appear Stateside, but since there is a US press release published, we're thinking it should be appearing here soon after the Japan release. [Electronista]

Speaking of which, are there any actual SACD users out there? Given the price of this player, one would expect the SACD market to skew only toward people with large amounts of petrodollars at their disposal. Any opinions in the house? – Nicholas Deleon

Press Release (in Japanese) [Marantz via Akihabara News]

It is July, 2006, right? I'm just wondering because Marantz is coming out with a dual transport cassette deck later this year, the SD4051. That's right, a cassette deck. Color me surprised because I thought I had a better chance of seeing Windows Vista released than seeing a cassette deck ever again. While it does look nice, the mere thought of incorporating a cassette deck into my home audio system sends shivers down my spine.

Phobias aside, the SD4051 does have a few advanced features that might make you want to consider it, especially if you've got a bunch of tapes laying about. Users can control variables like pitch and playback transport in order to make sure that recordings sound as close to perfect as possible. Sound recording bias is automatically adjusted by the unit and the recording side makes use of auto reverse. Normally, I just burn MP3s, but this sounds much more fun. And easier.

Since your dusty old cassette tapes probably have probably been around for a while and don't necessarily sound as good as they used to, Dolby B attempts to decrease that annoying hiss.

It's scheduled to be released in late August in Japan for about $320. – Nicholas Deleon

Press Release (in Japanese) [Marantz Japan via Fareastgizmos.com]

Up to six ZC4001 receptors can be plugged in your home at once to receive audio, but to transmit audio you'll have to get a ZR6001 WEAVE amplifier or "receiver". The transmitting "receiver"—slightly confusing terminology, we know—and one ZC4001 "receptor" will run you £700 ($1,289) together, and extra ZC4001 receptors cost £200 ($368).

This is only available in the UK as of now. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Marantz via Shiny Shiny]

What does "universal" mean here? It means that the IS201 is compatible with all models of the iPod, including the nano, iPod with video, the mini and the iPod Photo—from the looks of it, any iPod with a dock connector seems to be compatible. Once docked, the IS201 happily outputs all your Bob Dylan songs, vacation photos, and hilarious video clips to your home theater system via any number of connections, such as S-Video and the ever popular red/white RCA audio jacks.

Thankfully, the IS201 outputs its own media interface to the connected monitor, so you're not struggling to read the iPod's tiny display when you're across the room. And across the room you shall be since the IS202 can be controlled by a remote handset.

Will the IS201 make you smarter, make clean water available to everybody on Earth, or do your laundry? No, but it will play back your iPod-encumbered media on your kickin' home theater system, which is almost just as important.

IS202 docking station for iPod [Marantz Europe via Tech Digest]

This progressive scan player has 480p, 720p and 1080i HDMI output to up-convert all your standard DVDs to HDTV glory. Not only that, these formats are supported:

DVD-Video/Audio, SACD-Stereo/Multi-channel, DVD-R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, SVCD, VCD, MP3, WMA9, JPEG and DivX Discs

Throw any kind of disc at this monster and it will eat it up and call you Nancy. All this muscle doesn't come cheap though. The retail price is a hefty $599.00. For that much money, perhaps an HD-DVD player may be more future-proof?

DV6600 Progressive Scan Universal DVD Player [Marantz via About]

Now all we need is something that can deliver that kind of resolution to the projector. By the way, there are cheaper 1080p projectors, but this one's new; wait a while and it'll be cheaper, too.

Product page [Marantz]

Talk about high end audio and Marantz is always on the tip of the tongue. So it's no wonder the company is showing a broad line of new gear at CES. You may not be able to afford it, but here's what will be on the floor.

DLP Projectors-Look for three home theatre projectors using DLP technology. The VP8600 is the lowest priced product for just $5999. After that, there's the newly upgraded version of the acclaimed VP-12S4 High-Definition DLPTM Projector for $14,499 and finally, for a whopping $38,000 VSP-10S1. Also showing (with no price or ship date) is the VP-11S1, a DLP projector with full capability for all video sources to 1080p HD resolution.

PLAC Technology for "Virtually Wireless" Audio Distribution-Power Line Audio Communication (PLAC) is another area Marantz plans on showing off at CES with its new ZR6001SP system, which includes both the ZR6001 Audio/Video receiver, and the ZC4001 Client. Obviously a little high end than your Sonos system, the ZR6001SP lets you run your music to any room in your home using only existing AC power lines.

A/V Surround Sound Receivers-Five new A/V receiver will be on display, including the flagship SR9600 for $4,199. Others include more affordable products like the SR8500 for $1,599; the SR7500 for $1,099; the SR5600 for $649.99 and SR4600 for $429.99. All the receivers include a simple, elegant chassis design with aluminum front panels, 7 channels of discrete amplification, HD component video switching, component or S-video upconversion, 32-bit DSP processing and 192kHz/24-bit digital/audio converters for all channels. You'll also get Dolby Pro Logic IIx capability, surround-sound headphone processing, front panel menu control and home theater processing such as THX or HT-EQ.

DVD-Without next generation DVD players, Marantz believes its products are as good as it gets. The DV9600 is the most expensive product as $2100 and includes an advanced HDMI 1.1 interface that ensures digital video signals are fed directly to display devices without any degradation (supporting 480i output). Video scaling circuitry is also included and allows it to support upsampling to 720p, 1080i and 1080p HD formats. Other players include progressive scan Model DV7600 at $1,099, the DV6600 at $649, and the DV4600 at $299.

Dedicated Tuner-Marantz hasn't put out a dedicated audio tuner in 5 years, so the ST7001 should be special. Featuring a digitally-synthesized XM/AM/FM tuner, it obviously supports XM satellite radio using a XM Radio antenna into the XM antenna jack on the back. Retails for $450.

Platinum Standard Audio Separates-Lastly, there's there Marantz separates, including the TT-15S1, a vinyl disc turntable at $1699.99; the Model SA-15S1 SACD player for $2,099 and the integrated stereo amplifier, Model PM-15S1; and the CD5001 Compact Disc Player at $329.99. In April, you can also expect an expansion in its 2-channel audio line with the the Model PM7001 integrated amplifier at $649, and the new Model SA8001 SACD at $999.

The PM-15S1 ($2,099) is a pretty platinum colored integrated amplifier with a core "massive audiophile-grade toroidal amplifier." (Sounds like something that would be illegal in professional sports.) Includes multiple listening modes and blue rim-lighting that makes it look like a tricked-out car.

The CD5001 ($329.99) is the company's newest CD player. Geared for custom installation, it has a detachable cord, triple IR code set, direct IR input and optical and coaxial digital ouputs. Finally, there's the SA-15S1 SACD player ($2,099), that plays SACD, CD and CD-R/RW recordings.