Crown Audio has introduced DriveCore Install (DCi) Series power amplifiers, a successor to the company’s CTs Series.
The new DCi analog stereo and multichannel amplifiers incorporate a host of improvements, including Harman’s exclusive DriveCore technology.
Twelve models in the DCi Series are available ranging from 300 watts to 600 watts (into 4 and 8 ohms and 70Vrms and 100Vrms). The first number in the model is the amount of channels and the second number indicates the watts-per-channel power rating.
All models are just two rack spaces high to conserve valuable installation space.
“In introducing the DCi Series we had to exceed the benchmarks set by our acclaimed CTs Series, which has established itself as the de facto amplifier standard for installed sound applications,” says Daniel Saenz, business segment manager, install sound, Crown. “It was no easy task, but our new DCi Series offers an entirely new level of unsurpassed performance that will be appreciated by audio professionals worldwide.”
At the heart of the DCi Series is the proprietary DriveCore amplifier IC chip, which combines the amplifier driver stage into the power output stage along with additional audio-signal functions – yet is about the size of a postage stamp.
DriveCore and the DCi Series leading-edge amplifier topologies dramatically reduce size and power consumption requirements and yield more energy-efficient operation that conforms to Harman International’s GreenEdge environmental initiative.
DriveCore technology reduces the footprint of the amplifier by replacing over 500 parts from a typical amplifier design with one single IC. Smaller amplifier engines means more channels can be put into a 2RU box with more capabilities.
Crown DCi Series amplifiers can be operated into 8-, 4- or 2-ohm loads and offer direct drive “constant voltage” capabilities for 70Vrms and 100Vrms amplification without the need for a step-up transformer, yielding higher audio quality in distributed audio applications.
The amplifiers incorporate an exclusive Power Factor Corrected Global Power Supply that is designed to deliver maximum power in any country and their universal AC input accepts voltages from 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60Hz (+/- 10 percent).
The DCi Series is Crown’s greenest amplifier line ever, with a Power Factor Corrected (PFC) power supply, a selectable power save auto-standby mode where the amplifier will power down after 30 minutes of no input signal and consume less than 1 watt.
In addition to the amplifiers’ balanced 3-pin input connectors and 2-pin terminal strip output connectors, a rear-panel AUX port enables the amplifiers to be integrated into control systems for remote on/off and amplifier fault monitoring.
Crown DCi Series amplifiers are built for the most demanding conditions of continuous professional use and carry a 3-year, no-fault fully transferrable warranty.
Crown DCi Series amplifiers will be available in Spring 2013.
