Product Description
The Crest Audio CA18 professional power amplifier is designed
to achieve unsurpassed sonic performance and long-term reliabil-
ity – even when operating under extreme stress - in touring or
fixed installation applications. The CA18 provides high power
output coupled with true clarity, and is well-suited for high-pow-
ered subwoofers and passive full range systems.
Absolute sonic accuracy is the hallmark of every Crest amplifier.
Bass is solid and defined to the limits of audibility, with ample
current reserves delivered by an “over-engineered” power supply
and advanced Class H circuitry. Wide-bandwidth output devices
assure detailed, transparent high frequency response. And, thanks
to Crest’s exclusive IGM circuit, the CA18 will drive 2
Ω
loads
safely without compromise in performance.
Construction and Quality Control
The CA18 is built exclusively in Crest’s own USA manufactur-
ing facility, with internal components selected for premium
quality and proven durability. Each modular subassembly is
pre-tested, and once assembled, the CA18 receives a rigorous
“hot room” burn-in before thorough final pre-shipment checkout
on precision test equipment.
CA18 Features
• Crest’s legendary “overbuilt” power supply
• Toroidal power transformer
• Latest generation of high-speed, wide-bandwidth output
devices
• Twin tunnel cooling with back-to-front air flow
• Dual, variable speed DC fans
• Massive, extruded aluminum heat sinks
• Balanced XLR and 1/4-inch (TRS) inputs
• Speakon™ connectors or 2 pair of 5-Way Binding Post
Outputs (market dependent)
• External switches for stereo/parallel/bridged mono mode,
Pin 2/3 hot (+),
ground lift, and gain/input sensitivity
• TourClass
®
protection circuits:
-
ACL (Active Clip Limiting) prevents speaker damage with
gentle gain reduction at clip threshold.
-
IGM (Instantaneous Gain Modulation) monitors speaker
loads to detect conditions that may overstress output
devices, allowing safe operation into nominal 2
Ω
imped-
ances.
-
AutoRamp gradually increases gain to attenuator setting
level when amplifier is turned on.
-
TourClass protection also includes comprehensive thermal
management, short circuit, DC voltage, turn-on/off tran-
sient, current inrush and sub/ultrasonic input protection.
• Recessed, stepped attenuators
• Front panel circuit breaker switch
• Modular construction
• Five-year warranty*
4
Ω
S t e r e o
CA2
CA4
CA6
CA9
CA12
1kHz, .01% THD+N
2 5 0 W
4 3 5 W
6 0 0 W
9 0 0 W
1 2 0 0 W
20Hz-20kHz, 0.1% THD+N
2 0 0 W
4 0 0 W
5 0 0 W
8 0 0 W
1 1 0 0 W
Power Specs: Other CA Series Power Amplifiers
P o w e r S p e c i f i c a t i o n s
8
Ω
S t e r e o
4
Ω
S t e r e o
2
Ω
S t e r e o
8
Ω
B r i d g e d
4
Ω
B r i d g e d
1kHz, 0.01% THD+N
1 0 0 0 W
1 8 0 0 W
2 5 0 0 W
3 6 0 0 W
5 0 0 0 W
20Hz-20kHz, 0.1% THD+N
9 5 0 W
1 7 0 0 W
2 4 0 0 W
3 4 0 0 W
4 8 0 0 W
Figures are watts per channel, both channels driven.
CA18 POWER AMPLIFIER
