Pro 200 Series Power Amps from Crest Audio
October 8, 2002
Crest Audio's latest series of professional power amplifiers -- the Pro 200 Series -- offer increased power, lower weight, and a smaller enclosure at a reduced cost.
The three new amplifiers all occupy 2RU and weigh 25 lbs. The Pro 8200 offers 1450 watts per channel (4,500 watts bridge mode) into 4 ohms, Pro 7200 provides 1000 watts per channel (3,300 watts bridge), and Pro 5200 has 525 watts per channel (1800 watts bridge).
Apart from the differences in power, the three new amplifiers have very similar specifications, including a frequency response within +0, -3dB from 10 to 100kHz, with hum and noise better than -110dB, "A" weighted. The input impedance is 15 k ohms, balanced.
The Pro 200 Series amps feature Automatic Clip Limiting (ACL) to protect connected drivers, while IGM Impedance Sensing automatically modifies the gain to suit whatever impedance outputs are connected, allowing more efficient operation and loads as low as 2 ohms, as well as short-circuit protection. Tunnel-cooled high-efficiency heat sinks and variable speed DC fans limit the operating temperature and thus extend the life of the amplifiers. Automatic temperature sensing systems monitor the temperature of the air as it is funneled from the rear-mounted cooling fans to the front panel exhaust, and shut down a channel if temperatures exceed operating limits. AutoRamp circuitry minimizes the likelihood of power-on "thumps".
Input connections are via XLR on the rear panel, and are actively balanced. Both Speak-On and binding post output connections are provided per channel for loudspeaker connection.
Front panel controls include input attenuators and a combination AC power switch and circuit breaker. Five front panel LEDs per channel indicate ACL, signal, temperature protect,
DC protect (which lights when a DC voltage is sensed), and Active (output relay closed and operational). On the rear panel, a mode switch determines stereo, parallel, or bridged mono mode, and a gain select switch determines whether the overall amplifier gain structure is
x20 or x40.
The Crest Pro 200 Series amplifiers have US MSRPs as follows: Pro 8200 -- $2630, Pro 7200 -- $1970, and Pro 5200 -- $1600.
For more information, visit their web site at www.crestaudio.com. |
