Theta Digital Corp

09/05/2017

See us at CEDIA Booth 3335
San Diego, September 7 to 9

07/13/2017

With the Casablanca IVa now available with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, I thought this would be a great time to remind everyone that the Casablanca IVa remains a superb audio platform capable of breath taking accuracy and emotion.

At the 2015 Newport Audio Show, our system with Theta front-end, Dreadnaught D or Prometheus amps, Dirac Live room correction and the amazing Wilson Sabrina speakers made at least one "BEST SOUND OF THE SHOW:" list.

I was there. The honor was well-deserved.

06/30/2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



THETA DIGITAL
SHIPS NEW CASABLANA IVA IMMERSIVE 7.1.4 CHANNEL PREAMP/PROCESSOR
ADDS DOLBY ATMOS AND DTS:X DECODING TO VENERABLE PLATFORM
REVAMPED SIGNAL PATH OFFERS IMPROVED PERFORMANCE FOR ALL DIGITAL SOURCES
RETAINS ALL-ANALOG SIGNAL PATH FOR LEGACY SOURCES
MAINTAINS UPGRADE POLICY FOR EARLIER GENERATION CASABLANCA PROCESSORS

Montebello, CA, June 29, 2017 - The most widely acclaimed manufacturer of high-end audio components, Theta Digital, today began shipping the updated Casablanca IVa Immersive Sound Preamp/Processor.

Built on the same basic platform as previous Casablanca preamp/processors, the Casablanca IVa continues the aspirational good looks of its predecessors while making significant changes and improvements to the under-lying circuitry.

First and foremost is the use of two new TI DSP processor chips to add 7.1.4 channel output capability and decoding for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the immersive sound formats found in many of Hollywood’s block-buster movies.

Both formats, of course, include upmixing of stereo and surround material to the 3-D audio experience. Dolby Surround is included to extend Dolby encoded material. DTS Neural:X does the same for anything encoded in DTS. For PCM material, albeit stereo or multi-channel, the user can freely choose either upmixing technology.

The revised digital topology also removes the Sample Rate Converter (SRC) used at the input to the DSP board in the earlier Casablanca III HD and IV resulting in improved sound in the Casablanca IVa.

The Casablanca IVa also adds a new Digital Direct mode that passes on any signals arriving in the digital domain in their native format and channel count and continues Theta’s traditional Analog Direct mode that passes analog signals unmolested.

Dirac Live® Digital Room Correction and Optimization continues with the ability to measure and correct all 12 output channels. Theta’s proprietary Jitter Jail II™ is also included to reduce distortion based on timing errors in the input signal.

The Casablanca IVa has 4 HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. The HMDI 1 input is HDCP 2.2 compliant.

MSRP for the Theta Casablanca IVa is $17,995.00. Theta Digital’s DAC output card or cards or Theta’s 12-channel Balanced Digiout card are additional.

Theta is also pleased to continue its long standing policy of allowing owners of previous Casablanca preamplier/processors to upgrade to the Casablanca IVa. The cost of the upgrade depends on the actual model submitted. The cost to upgrade the Casablanca III HD to the IVa is $6,495.00. While upgrading the Casablanca IV is only $2,995.00.

According to Dave Reich, Theta Digital’s Chief Engineer, “We are thrilled with the performance of the new CB IVa. It offers outstanding sound virtually without compromise for any digital or analog signal.”

About Theta Digital

Theta Digital designs and manufactures state-of-the-art audio components in its facility in Montebello, CA. With impeccable style, world-class cosmetic design and leading-edge audio circuitry, Theta Digital components are a fitting accompaniment for the finest possible audio and video systems.

03/14/2016

Here at Theta Digital we offer two main amplifiers: our Prometheus Monoblock and our modular multi-channel Dreadnaught D. Both received the industry's highest honor: Inclusion in Stereophile's Class A recommended components for 2016.

02/17/2016

Stereohile's Kal Rubinson loves the Dreadnaught D!

"What I can say is that Theta Digital's Dreadnaught D not only sounded good it sounded right. I could--and in my next column, I will--pick away at the things that distinguish it from other amps. But from the moment I turned it on, I've been smiling. The Dreadnaught D is really quiet and very dynamic, and sounds consistent at any output level. And there's nothing about its sound that says "digital"--even though all my sources are.

I'll have more to say about the Dreadnaught D after we've lived together for a couple more months. But for now, "Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

For the complete article: http://thetadigital.com/downloads/Stereophile%20-%20Dreadnaught%20D%20March%202016.pdf

01/28/2016

Three Years Running: The Best Sound at CES!
Theta Digital Electronics with CAT (In Wall) Speakers

In 2014, Gary Reber, Editor of Wide Screen Review wrote: The best sound at CES was in the Theta Digital California Audio Technology (CAT) booth at the Venetian Hotel.

For 2015, Scott Wilkinson, Editor in Chief, AVS Forum, in his TWIT TV Blog posted: The best sound at CES was in the Theta Digital/California Audio Technology (CAT) booth at the Venetian Hotel.

For 2016, Tom Norton, Sr. Editor, SoundandVison.com when asked for the best sound at CES responded, Theta Digital had a "Great sounding booth with...phenomenal sound".

We're beginning to detect a pattern here.

01/15/2016

Sumit Chawla, Ph.D, reviews our Casablanca IV preamp/processor for Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. His comments: I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the CB IV. The improvements brought about by Dirac Live were impressive: bass reproduction elevated to a level I had never heard before in my room; dialog intelligibility improved, as did the consistency of timbre across my loudspeaker array. I never felt the urge to disengage Dirac Live. RoomEQ systems are not always met with warm embrace. If you are in this camp, I highly recommend auditioning a CB IV at a dealer, and I hope that your opinion on deploying this technology in your system will change.

10/26/2015

CEDIA 2015. Our static display focused on Prometheus with a Casablanca IV and Dreadnaught D. Live demos were also available with the Casablanca enabling a 7.2 system with SAE's new amps driving RBH and a stereo rig with our Generation VIII Series 3.

07/25/2015

It is no secret that Theta Digital was acquired by Amplifier Technologies Inc. (ATI) 7 years ago. We make amplifiers and other components for our own brands and for a number of other high-end brands.

Should you happen to be in the Twin Cities this weekend (July 26), you have a rare opportunity to compare our new Dreadnaught D with the Morris Kessler Signature ATI amplifier. The ATI's earned amp of the year honors in 3 publications in 2014 and represent the cream of the crop in class AB amps. The Dreadnaught D is based on Theta's Prometheus Monoblock amp that graced Stereophile's cover in March, 2015 and will represent the "new wave": Class D topology.

For more details, travel here: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/2074938-theta-dreadnaught-d-compared-ati-signature-weekend-shootout.html

For what it's worth. I expect exemplary audio regardless of which amp is doing the work.

I'm a huge fan of the ATI Signature known as the 6000 series see http://www.ati-amp.com/AT6000.php . It's dead quiet, can control any load I've thrown

06/12/2015

Reproducing compelling music in a hotel room is always a challenge. When professional reviewers name you "Best in Show" it is always rewarding.

06/10/2015

We have our first review of the Dreadnaught D from an owner. Here's his initial impression:

I listened for just a few more minutes.

The best explanation I have is the music floats in the air with such delicacy but with great precision at the same time. I am thinking this amp was burned in for quite some time. There is no harshness to speak of. The bass is so quick and tight sounding it is actually mind boggling.

It really is no contest between this Dreadnaught D and my Krell Chorus. The Chorus out of the box was unlistenable. After 72 hours it sounded pretty good. But this Dreadnaught D is flabbergasting right out of the box. Depth,height,width,precision, delicacy, its all there. I cant imagine it getting any better after further burnin but I will leave it on overnight with music playing.

I have only scratched the surface of it's capabilities as I have only been listening, for burn in purposes , my Marantz music streamer so far. I haven't even played any of my flac or dsd files. Boy tomorrow is going to be fun.
I will have visions of angel wings dancing around in my head while sleeping tonight. There better not be any creechers sturring because if they touch my amp were gonna have some serious problems. It will be the last amp for my main spkrs I ever buy unless of course I win the lottery. Then maybe the Prometheus for all three fronts and Dreadnaught D x2 for all my other channels.

06/10/2015

THETA DIGITAL
SHIPS NEW DREADNAUGHT D MODULAR MAIN AMPLIFIER
USES N-CORE CLASS D MODULES FOR AMPLIFICATION
SUPPORTS UP TO 8 CHANNELS AT 225 WATTS PER CHANNEL OR
4 CHANNELS AT 500 WATTS PER CHANNEL

Montebello, CA, June 1, 2015 - The most widely acclaimed manufacturer of high-end audio components, Theta Digital, today began shipping the new Dreadnaught D modular main amplifier.

Designed to accommodate up to 8 channels of amplification, the Dreadnaught D has a built-in power supply using dual power cords, power switches and toroidal transformers plus 4 slots designed to receive proprietary Theta Digital amplifier modules.

There are three modules available for the Dreadnaught D. All are based on the Hypex N-Core class D amplifier circuitry. The stereo amplifier module is rated at 225W RMS per channel at 8 ohms and 400W at 4 ohms with no more than 0.05% THD from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. One of the two single-channel modules has identical performance. The other bridges the two modules to deliver over 500W RMS at 8 ohms with over 800 W RMS at 4 ohms.

Pricing for popular configurations: MSRP for 225W x 7 is $9,995.00; 400W x 3 plus 225W x 2 is $10,695.00. Stereo amplifiers are available with 225W x 2 at $6,149.95 and 500W x 2 at $7,445.00.

According to Jeff Hipps, Theta Digital’s Sr. VP for Sales and Marketing, “Prometheus, our first Class D amplifier, was just named one of the ‘12 Best Products of 2014’ by CE Pro magazine and was given a Class “A” rating by Stereophile magazine. The Dreadnaught D is the same game-changing technology in a very flexible package. Prepare to be stunned by the sound.”

The Dreadnaught D is available in platinum or black, in standard or rack-mount chassis with either 117V or 230V power supplies. The Dreadnaught D begins shipping June 1, 2015.