What is new with the KABD amps compared to the DSPB series?
The DSPB series was the first generation of DSP amplifier boards from Dayton Audio, and the KABD
series builds on the success of that series by adding new features such as Bluetooth 5.0.
1.
Potentiometers have been removed from the board, and replaced with 3-pin JST ports. In the
optional cable pack for the KABD series, there are 4 potentiometers with cables to connect
directly to these ports, no soldering required. This allows for convenient external volume
controls, filter controls and more. It also allows easy access to multipurpose pins of the
ADAU1701 for other purposes.
2.
Bluetooth 5.0 with AptX HD streaming. High quality Bluetooth streaming is now built right onto
the board. Example projects have been updated accordingly to use this input. If your
SigmaStudio project is not setup correctly, you will not hear any input when connected with
Bluetooth.
3.
4 Channels of amplification! Perfect for making a stereo pair of 2-way active speakers, both of
the new 4 channel amplifiers use the BT 5.0 module w/aptX HD, and also allow for external
potentiometers. The boards can also be configured into 2.1 mode, or higher powered 2.0 mode.
Each board is smaller than a typical passive 2-way crossover, yet you get amplification, DSP and
Bluetooth built in with no passive crossovers required. Make a crossover with DSP instead!
a)
The KABD-430 will allow for 4 x 30 Watt channels of DSP and amplification in the same
compact size as any previous KAB or DSPB amplifier. Configurable as 4x30W,
2x30W+1x60W, or 2x60W.
b)
The KABD-4100 is a larger board, but allows for up to 4 x 100 Watts of DSP and
amplification! Configurable as 4x100W, 1x200W, or 2x200W. This amplifier
can also be cascaded with a second KABD-4100 for up to 8 channels of amplification.
4.
Because of the addition of a built in 5.0 Bluetooth chip in the KABD series, it is not
recommended to use the KABD in combination with a KAB for additional outputs in the same
way as the DSPB+KAB. It is recommended to use a KABD-4100 or KABD-430 instead for this
purpose.
a)
These additional line outputs are still accessible via J7 on the KABD-250. A 6-pin cable
mates to this connector, and can be found in the optional cable pack, and can be easily
be soldered to your choice of 3.5mm jacks, RCA jacks or directly to another amplifier for
creating something like a SUB OUT jack, line output passthrough, etc.
What is the difference between a KABD amp and a KAB amp?
Dayton Audio’s original line of amplifier boards is the KAB line, which have had numerous generations
but always included class D amplification optimized for portable use and Bluetooth streaming.
Compared to the KAB series, the KABD series of amps all include a dedicated DSP chip called the Analog
Device’s ADAU1701, which allows for connection to SigmaStudio
and incredibly flexible DSP
configuration such as on-the-fly tone controls, advanced bass processing, delays, etc. The previous
DSPB series of amplifiers also employed this ADAU1701 DSP module, however it lacked Bluetooth
support. The KABD series is like a combination of the KAB and DSPB series. The newest generation of
KAB amplifiers employ the same Bluetooth 5.0 chips with aptX streaming and very similar connections,
and for the first time, this generation of KAB also includes basic EQ capability with the KPX programmer
(however it is not nearly as powerful or flexible as the ADAU1701).
