Усилители мощности стерео — NAD CI 8-150 DSP

The CI 8-150 DSP is a multi-channel power amplifier from NAD designed for custom installation, distributed audio and home theatre systems. It carries eight channels of Hybrid Digital amplification built around custom Hypex nCore output stages, with onboard digital signal processing, in a rack-mount chassis. The original version is now archived by NAD and no longer offered, and it has been succeeded by the CI 8-150 DSP v2, which keeps the same 483 mm wide chassis and adds setup through a web interface with a dashboard showing real-time information and zone configuration. The v2 accepts both line-level and digital inputs and can be powered on by signal sense or a 12 V trigger.

Key specs that matter

NAD rates the continuous output at 150 W per channel into 8 ohms with all channels driven across 20 Hz to 20 kHz at rated distortion, and 180 W into 4 ohms. Channel pairs can be bridged, giving 280 W into 8 ohms, and the IHF dynamic power figure in bridged mode reaches 670 W per channel into 4 ohms. Total harmonic distortion is 0.02% from 1 W to 120 W into both 8 and 4 ohms. Across 20 Hz to 20 kHz the response deviates by no more than 0.5 dB either way. Noise is 90 dB down A-weighted with a 500 mV input, and the damping factor is 150, referenced to 8 ohms between 20 Hz and 6.5 kHz. Input sensitivity for rated power is 1450 mV and the maximum input level is 3300 mV. The chassis measures 483 x 90 x 435 mm, and the shipping weight is 17.6 kg.

Engineering and use context

The nCore output stages are load invariant, so the amplifier is specified to drive a 4 ohm load as comfortably as an 8 ohm one. The built-in DSP lets an installer adjust output to the loudspeakers in each zone, protect drivers with peak and RMS limiters, and set crossovers for integrated subwoofers. The unit occupies a 2U rack height, accepts a trigger input of 3 to 30 V DC, and draws 0.5 W in standby. With eight channels in one box, a single chassis can feed four stereo zones in a multi-room installation, or cover several channels of a home theatre layout.

Pairing

The CI 8-150 DSP is a power amplifier only, so each zone needs a line-level source or preamplifier ahead of it. The bridging option allows a pair of channels to be combined for a zone that needs more power, while the remaining channels continue to run other rooms.

Alternatives

Within the same NAD custom installation range, the CI 980 is an eight-channel rack-mount amplifier rated at 50 W per channel into 8 ohms for smaller multi-zone systems.