NAD CI 8-150 DSP POWER AMPLIFIER
The commonly held belief is that the conventional high-performance amplifier could not live up to the rigours and challenges of the CI application. It is also believed that distribution amplifiers are designed for durability and ease of deployment at the expense of sonic performance. In a nutshell, a system designer needs to choose one or the other. NAD disagrees.
Full Disclosure Power
The CI 8-150 DSP offers NAD’s Masters Series performance in the rack space. As per NAD’s Full Disclosure Power (FDP) ratings, this sophisticated amp is capable of delivering a conservative 150 watts per channel at 8 ohms into all channels simultaneously, bridgeable to 280 watts per channel. IHF Dynamic Power in bridged mode is 4 x 670 watts per channel at 4 ohms. No matter what you throw at the CI 8-150, it won’t flinch.
Hybrid Digital Amplification
The CI 8-150 DSP is designed to deliver uncompromised performance within the custom environment. With its nCore output stage, the CI 8-150 DSP shares the same pedigree as some of NAD’s prestigious Masters Series amplifiers. What makes this amplifier unique is its ability to deliver a level of detail and refinement unmatched by any distribution amplifier on the market today. Being load invariant, the CI 8-150 is as comfortable driving a 4 ohm load as it does anis 8 ohm. The THD and noise floors are beyond what you’d expect from a CI amplifier, meaning that the dynamic range and linearity of this amplifier wouldn’t be out of place in a hi- fi set up.
Rack Space Efficiency and Reliability
NAD is keenly aware that reliability is paramount for a professional installer, so all models will be based on tried and true amplification platforms delivering stable and reliable performance. Since rack real estate is always at a premium, NAD CI amps have been designed to take up as little room as possible. Thermostatic fans draw in cool air from the front of the unit and out through the rear vents, meaning you don’t need to leave ventilation gaps between each unit for them to stay cool.
Web UI/DSP
The CI 8-150 DSP is network ready for simple set up, via the custom WebUI. This allows fast set up , of inputs & outputs, setting gain, stereo/mono and bridging of channels, creation of DSP profiles using the 5 band parametric EQ, plus high and low pass filters to allow the dialing in of the audio in each zone for optimal performance. A variety of power on methods are available as well as an Eco mode setting for minimal power consumption. I/O switching and routing can also be managed via compatible control systems with drivers available for Crestron, Control4, Elan, RTI and URC.
System Suggestion
Combine the CI 8-150 DSP with the CI 580 V2 4 zone BluOS rack mount streamer to create a complete, hi- res multi-room package of incredible value and quality, or upgrade to one of our NAD stereo streamers, such as the C 658 for even better sonic performance. Such is the power and performance of this amplifier which is also at home in a high end custom theatre, and can easily be paired with a T 778 AV receiver or M17 V2 AV processor.
Key Features
- 8 Channels x 150 Watts @ 8 Ohms, Hybrid Digital with Hypex nCore
- Bridgeable to 4 channels X 280 Watts @ 8 Ohms
- Effectively handles long cable runs and difficult speaker loads
- Ethernet port for IP control, custom web UI with virtual I/O panel and performance diagnostics
- DSP with 5 band parametric EQ, plus high and low pass filters
- 4 stereo RCA inputs
- 2 x digital coax stereo inputs, 2 x optical stereo inputs
- Dual global Inputs/Outputs
- 2U Rack height
- 5W Standby Mode, 3W Network Standby
- 12V Trigger In; IR In/Out
- Thermostatic fan cooling with front vents
- Universal AC Power Supply
- Multiple Power-up options including Auto Sense turn on, as well as Eco Mode