Amplifier Sets Tone for Dance Studios
Sep 8, 2014 8:01 PM
The Columbia Performing Arts Centre in Columbia, Mo., is a private not-for-profit dance school for children ranging from toddlers through college age. The school recently completed a major addition, including four new studios. Local AV integration firm Sound Concepts was hired to design and install high-fidelity sound systems for the new studios as well as to replace older components in the existing studios.
Sound Concepts delivered an impactful, energy-efficient sound system centered on the Ashly nXp8002 2-channel network amplifier rated at 800W per channel with a built-in Protea DSP processor. All nX series amplifiers can be programmed to trigger a defeatable sleep mode where the amp draws less than 1W of AC power.
“The Columbia Performing Arts Centre is always brimming with energy and activity, and high-quality sound reproduction is an important component in its success,” says Chris Howe, manager at Sound Concepts. “In addition to supplying the new studios with great, easy-to-operate sound systems, the center’s directors wanted us to harmonize functionality and quality in the existing studios as well. That way, instructors trained in one studio will be able to use any other studio without a hiccup.”
Howe completed the installation in stages, beginning with the new rooms and progressing to the existing rooms as class schedule logistics permitted. As requested, each studio is nearly identical, with each featuring a Denon DM700C CD player for a primary music source. Howe used its digital output with the Ashly nXp’s optional digital input card. In addition, he gave each system a 1/8in. iPod-style jack and connected it to the nXp’s analog input. Howe also used the nXp’s back-panel volume control option to wire a 10k potentiometer for a simple volume control. Depending on the room, the nXp powers either four 8Ω Renkus- Heinz TRX182s or two 8Ω Renkus-Heinz TRX151s.
PRODUCT AT WORK
Ashly nXp8002
A 2-channel multi-mode amplifier, Ashly’s nXp8002 is capable of driving 2Ω loads at full power. Featuring 800W per channel, the unit features 32-bit DSP processing at 48kHz or 96kHz sampling rate with DSP functions including swept load impedance, gain, dynamics including autoleveler and ambient noise compensation, equalization including graphic, parametric, feedback suppressor, and FIR filters, and a matrix mixer. Input connectors include Neutrik XLR/ TRS combo jack and Euroblock, while output connectors include Neutrik speakON. The nXp8002 has a front panel power switch and level controls that can be disabled. LEDs indicate protect, sleep, disabled, com, and bridge mode status, as well as temperature, output current, output signal, and clipping/mute status per channel. Ethernet control with a realtime clock for event scheduling is also included.
