They're not coming to the States anytime soon, but some new toys out of Japan from Ratoc are a meaningful step forward in wireless audio streaming. Slated for release this March are the REX-Link2 receiver (with USB transmitter) and its cousin, the REX-WHP2 wireless headphones. The big twist here is that the gear doesn't compress the sound at all, unlike most other audio-streaming technologies.

Eschewing compression, Ratoc's solution will transmit 24-bit/96-kHz audio. In other words, both products announced today can handle CD-quality audio (a "mere" 16-bit/44.1-kHz signal) transmitted in linear PCM format. Approximately $147, REX-Link2 streams audio up to 30 feet away in the 2.4-GHz bandwidth. The REX-WHP2 headphones cost $263 and has a lithium-polymer rechargeable battery providing 17 hours of wireless audio. Both are compatible with Macs and PCs. — Ken Sander

Impress, via Engadget