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For Immediate Release

Birdland Audio to ship embedded microcomputers with their amplifiers.

Pacific Grove, California, November 16 th 1998, Birdland Audio announces it will start shipping an embedded microcomputer in every amplifier for increased stability of the bias current. The idea was born while conducting research to build a high-power mono-block with the same sonics as the highly acclaimed Pleyel amplifier. The Pleyel solid-tube tm patent-pending open-loop (no feedback) output-stage design behaves like a tube, sounds like a tube only better and it is solid-state. The only problem of this new output stage is that it has not been possible to build a stable amplifier more powerful that fifty watts, until today.

"I was doing research for Birdland’s next high power mono-block when it hit me. I needed someone with my knowledge of the amplifier to stay near it at all times and monitor its bias." says Gilles Gameiro, founder and designer of the Pleyel - "It’s like shipping a technician with every one of our amplifiers. The microprocessor will monitor and adjust the bias if necessary every time the amplifier is idle, insuring a perfect bias of the output stage."

The technology will be used to build the next generation of powerful mono-block amplifiers to become the new signature amplifier of the company and it will also be integrated into the existing amplifiers. There is no date set for the shipping of the new mono-block which is still in research and development but the new Pleyel mk-II with integrated microprocessor is already set to start shipping Q2-1999.

The Pleyel amplifier is the result of over 10 years of research of French designer Gilles Gameiro who decided to found Birdland Audio after discovering the technology used in the company’s reference amplifier. Birdland Audio is an American manufacturer of high-end audio components. Today’s products include the Pleyel two channel reference amplifier, the Pleyel three channel amplifier and the Odéon 24 bit DAC. For more information on Birdland Audio products, email info@birdland.com or contact Gilles Gameiro at (831) 646-0168. More information can also be found on Birdland Audio’s web site http://www.birdland.com.