New from Crest Audio: the Pro 9200 Power Amp
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(Click for a close-up) |
October 14, 2003
At AES, Crest Audio introduced the latest addition to its Pro 200 power amplifier series, the Pro 9200. The Pro 200 Series offers the high power ratings of its predecessors, the Professional Series, but at a lighter weight and in a smaller enclosure.
The four Pro 200 amplifiers all occupy two rack spaces and weigh 25 lbs. The Pro 9200 boasts 2100 Watts per channel (6500 Watts bridge mode) into 4 Ohms, while the Pro 8200 offers 1450 Watts per channel (4500 Watts bridge mode); the Pro 7200 provides 1000 Watts per channel (3300 Watts bridge mode); and the Pro 5200 has 525 Watts per channel (1800 Watts bridge mode).
Apart from the differences in power, the three new amplifiers have very similar specifications, including a frequency response within +0, -3 dB from 10 to 100 kHz, with hum and noise better than -110 dB, "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 whichever impedance outputs are connected. IGM allows 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, extending the life of the amplifiers. Automatic temperature sensing systems monitor the temperature of the air as the rear-mounted cooling fans funnel it to the front-panel exhaust, and shut down a channel if temperatures exceed operating limits. AutoRamp circuitry minimizes the likelihood of power-up "thumps."
Input connections are via XLR on the rear panel, and are actively balanced. Both Speakon and binding post output connections are provided per channel for loudspeaker connection.
Front panel controls include input attenuators and a combination AC power switch/circuit breaker. Five front-panel LEDs per channel indicate ACL, signal, temperature protect,
DC protect (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, while a gain select switch determines whether the overall amplifier gain structure is x20 or x40.
The Crest Pro 200 Series amplifiers have U.S. MSRPs as follows: Pro 9200, $TBA; Pro 8200, $2630; Pro 7200, $1970; and Pro 5200, $1600.
For more information, visit their web site at www.crestaudio.com. |
