5
Operating Manual - NE Multi Channel Power Amplifier
The basic NE multichannel amplifiers come in either four channel or eight channel configurations with
Euroblock input and output
connectors. Standard features on all models include balanced inputs, bridge mono mode, and Ethernet control using
Protea
ne
software. Remote control functions include standby, contact closure preset recall, and DC level control. Programmable remotes
for NE amplifiers with DSP include Ashly’s WR-5 or neWR-5 button controllers, RD-8C or FR-8/16 fader controllers, third
party RS-232 control, or Ashly Remote app for iPad
®
.
Factory Installed Options
Factory installed hardware options for
NE
multichannel power amplifiers include the following:
1) Internal DSP
- With Protea DSP installed, each input channel benefits from pluggable DSP blocks for dynamics control, gain
functions, graphic and/or parametric EQ, Hi-pass/Lo-pass filters, time delay, metering, and test signal generator. A mixer section
with assignable routing allows any input to drive any or all amplifier outputs. Output channels have the same DSP functions as
inputs, with the addition of automated crossover setup and FIR filter capability. Both inputs and outputs can copy/paste their
settings to other channels, or can link with one or more other channels to track their settings.
Presets store and retrieve parameters of an entire amplifier control surface and DSP settings. In addition, Sub Presets allow for
a collection of individual DSP parameters within and across multiple channels of an amplifier to be stored and recalled as a
set, affecting only those parameters and channels which have been tagged. Up to 35 presets/subpresets can be stored within the
amplifier and can be recalled in real time from a computer, by a programmable remote control, or by on-board contact closure
switch connections on the back panel.
2) AES3 Input
- With a four or eight channel AES3 option installed, AES3 outputs can plug directly into the amplifier. Using
AES3, 2 channels of digital audio are sent over a single mic cable, maintaining a completely digital signal path until just before the
power amplification stage. 48kHz & 96kHz data rates are supported. AES3 can be installed with or without DSP.
3) Network Audio
- Dante
®
or CobraNet
®
network audio modules can be factory installed, with or without installed DSP. Note
that amplifiers without DSP must have a factory installed OPDAC4 module to use network audio.
Dante
®
, created by
Audinate
, is an Ethernet based digital AV network technology that uses existing 100MB or 1GB network
infrastructure for delivery of high performance, high channel count audio signals. Ashly products with network audio capability
can be integrated into a Dante™ digital audio system by purchasing our OPTDante module as a factory installed option, and
controlled using Protea
ne
software.
CobraNet
®
is a technology developed and supported by Cirrus Logic (
www.cirrus.com
). It is a combination of software, hard
-
ware and network protocol which allows distribution of multiple channels of real-time, high quality digital audio over a standard
Ethernet Network. For detailed information about CobraNet or its implementation or installation please visit
www.cobranet.info
.
Protection
NE multichannel amplifiers use the following protection schemes:
Over Current Protection
- Is controlled in the output stage.
Thermal Protection
- The amplifier senses output device temperature and adjusts a two-speed fan to keep the operating tem
-
perature within acceptable limits. If device temperatures exceed that limit, the input to that channel is first reduced, and as a last
resort the power supply will be switched off while the fan continues to run.
Mains Protections
– Protection within the power supply includes: Inrush Current Limitation during power up, Mains Over
Voltage Detection, and internal Mains Fuse Protection. To protect the Mains fuse against AC overcurrent due to excessive au
-
dio output current, there is also a protection scheme indicated on the amplifier front panel and software control surface which
reduces audio output level until the overcurrent condition is no longer present.
