All posts tagged: AMP

AMD to acquire infrastructure player ZT Systems for .9B to amp up its AI ecosystem play

AMD to acquire infrastructure player ZT Systems for $4.9B to amp up its AI ecosystem play

Published by skeptic

AMD, the chipmaker hot on the heels of Nvidia, today announced a big acquisition to boost its position as an “ecosystem” partner for companies building big AI businesses: it is acquiring ZT Systems, which provides compute design and infrastructure for AI, cloud and general purpose computing, for $4.9 billion. The deal is a mix of cash and stock and includes a contingent payment of up to $400 million if certain performance metrics are met. The plan is to incorporate ZT Systems’ computing infrastructure design business. AMD said it will look to sell ZT Systems’ data center infrastructure manufacturing business to “a strategic partner.”  Based in New Jersey, ZT Systems has been privately-held since it was founded in 1994, and has disclosed only one external funding round — it raised $850 million in debt in 2023, according to PitchBook. It works closely with big chipmakers such as Nvidia and Intel across areas such as server solutions for storage, GPU/accelerators, high-performance computing, 5G, and edge computing. AMD said the deal will give it a deeper bench of …

Rotel RAS-5000 Review: A Killer Network Amp That Needs a Better App

Rotel RAS-5000 Review: A Killer Network Amp That Needs a Better App

Published by skeptic

Network amplifiers are springing up everywhere these days, and why shouldn’t they be? A single device that facilitates everything from your favorite streaming services to TV content over HDMI ARC is fantastically convenient and shouldn’t be reserved for A/V receivers or powered speakers. For listeners after a versatile, high-quality stereo experience, it can make a lot of sense to get everything you need in one refined device. With a wide field of available options, choosing a heritage audio brand like Rotel also seems to make good sense if you have the cash, and Rotel’s newish RAS-5000 is well stocked for the task. After testing the amplifier for several weeks, I’m happy to report the sound quality is as excellent as you’d expect. Its Hulkish frame provides a similarly Hulkish punch for clear and dynamic sound, muscular bass, and enough wattage to get the most out of high-end speaker pairings. The RAS-5000 is a capable workhorse with plenty of playback options, but some of the tech is clunkier than I’d expect at this price. Options like …

Jean Cocteau: A Complete Insight (Bio & Art)

Jean Cocteau: A Complete Insight (Bio & Art)

Published by skeptic

  Jean Cocteau’s life was characterized by a series of highs and lows. He was no stranger to abuse and tragedy, which caused him to recede into a world of fantastical, childlike wonder. This manifested in a wide-ranging, definitive, and unusual body of work that has come to characterize 20th-century Surrealist film. Below we delve into some aspects of his personal life and career that may account for his unique filmography, novels, and poetry.   Jean Cocteau’s Early Trauma Portrait of Jean Cocteau. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Cocteau grew up in a wealthy family in a small town near Paris called Maisons-Laffitte. His father, a lawyer, retired early in Cocteau’s childhood to paint and explore his hobbies. He taught Cocteau to draw and paint at a young age, encouraging his artistic and creative abilities. When Cocteau was 10 years old, his father committed suicide. His suicide deeply affected Cocteau, and the young boy grasped at his happy childhood mentally and artistically for the rest of his life.   A Young Poet Drawings by Jean Cocteau. …