Crest Audio Unveils CKd Networkable Power Amplifiers

Crest Audio has announced the CKd Series of multi-channel, networkable, intelligent power amplifiers. The new CKd Series provides superior performance and control in fixed installations through an efficient "green" design that saves energy, weight, and space, the company says.

The CKd Series combines the overbuilt power supply design made famous by the Crest Audio Pro 200 with NexSys networking functionality and an ultra-lightweight class D topology. The design centers around an ultra-high efficiency amplifier output circuit which reduces weight while increasing output power, reliability, and thermal efficiency, the company says.

The CKd Series offers four multi-channel models to meet the needs of demanding audio installations. The CKd 1208 and CKd 1204 provide 1,250W per channel in eight and four channels, respectively, while the CKd 608 and CKd 604 provide 625W per channel in eight and four channels. Each amplifier channel will operate to rated power in direct 70V, 100V, 8-ohm or 4-ohm modes, configurable per channel.

CKd amplifiers are networkable through the new Crest Audio Nx Dante-8 NexSys control module to the Crest Audio NexSys 5 and Peavey MediaMatrix NWare software programs for advanced control and audio routing. The Nx Dante-8 module fits into the rear bay of CKd Series power amps and supports all NexSys functions, DSP functions and Dante digital audio I/O via 1 Gigabit Ethernet connection.

A control voltage input is included on each channel to allow external gain control, while the Fault output on each channel allows the CKd power amps to be wired to other monitoring systems. In addition, users can conserve energy by disabling channels that are not in use.

The CKd Series includes Crest Audio's exclusive ACL (active clip limiting), which automatically reduces gain at the onset of clipping to prevent amplifier and load damage, and IGM (instantaneous gain modulation), which monitors load current to protect against overloading.

The CKd Series amplifiers and Nx Dante-8 module are backed by Crest Audio's strong five-year warranty, and will be available in Q4 2011 from authorized Crest Audio dealers.