Theta Upgrades Flagship Pre/Pro & trade-in for Casablanca I & II

[dhitoshi]

Theta Upgrades Flagship Preamp Processor
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 2/2/2011
Montebello, Calif. - Theta Digital has begun shipping an upgraded version of its flagship preamp processor and announced new programs to help consumers update their current models.

The Casablanca III HD, the latest version of the company's flagship preamp processor, adds HDMI 1.4 inputs and decoding of Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master surround sound. Pricing varies based on the configuration. Configured with eight channels of digital-to-analog conversion, the Casablanca III HD retails for $14,995. Prices can run to more than $20,000 when configured for 12-channel output with Theta's top-of-the-line Xtreme D-2 DACs.

To help owners of previous Casablanca generations get up to date, the company announced two programs. For owners of the Casablanca III, Theta will add three new circuit boards, a new power supply and new operating system at $4,995 to turn it into a Casablanca III HD. A second program offers owners of the Casablanca I or II a trade-in allowance up to $5,000 toward the purchase of the Casablanca III HD.

"The trade-in program continues our commitment to protect the value of the Theta owner's investment while keeping his components at the edge of the art," said Jeff Hipps, Theta's head of sales and marketing.