The C-Series from Lab.gruppen.
Sweden / UK - Sweden-based Lab.gruppen has introduces the C Series, a new power amplification solution for permanent installations. The C Series includes three 4-channel amplifiers of varying power levels which feature Lab.gruppen's proprietary NomadLink network interface, and NomadLinkBridge-60E, a 1U remote unit for centralized control of power on/off and monitoring amplifier performance. Lab.gruppen says it has designed the new networkable solution to meet the consultant's expectation for great sounding amplifiers, the contractor's need for flexible and easy installation and the customer's budget constraints, with the least compromise all-around.

The three C Series amplifiers - C 16:4, C 28:4 and C 48:4 - are each four-channel amps with 400W, 700W and 1200W per channel respectively. The C Series amplifier technology is based on the well-established, patented Class TD (Tracking Class D), which is highly regarded among Lab.gruppen fP Series users due to its power efficiency, reliability and most notably, its premium sound quality, say the company. Each amplifier is just 2RU and 13.5" deep and each of the four channels is individually configurable. For example, the amps allow the individual setting of low impedance or constant voltage (70V/100V) per output channel. Also with adjustable gain, bridge-mode operation (making asymmetrical amp configurations possible), advanced voltage peak limiting, and current peak limiting, entire installations can be accomplished efficiently with a minimum number of actual hardware pieces. Connections are standard Phoenix inputs and barrier-strip, screw terminal outputs.

However, it's the onboard NomadLink network interface that makes the C Series the most advanced solution for high performance permanent installations on the market today. The NomadLink interface is a proprietary network which is built-into all C Series amps, and is accessed through the NomadLinkBridge-60E (NLB-60E) using standard TCP/IP network and a PC editor. Up to 60 amplifiers can be daisy-chained in a loop providing redundancy in case of cable fault. With four channels per amplifier, up to 240 amplifier channels are allowed per subnet and multiple subnets can be created, allowing a system of virtually unlimited size.

Two Ethernet connectors per NLB-60E (one each on front and rear panel) allow connection to a standard PC and Local Area Network (LAN), and to remotely monitor and control the system with the C Series editor software application. The software editor allows monitoring of the present network configuration and system performance e.g. levels and status (warnings), as well as control of mute and solo functions. Once the subnets parameters are set, the PC can be disconnected. Via the front panel of the NLB-60E it is possible to monitor status and control power on/off for the entire network of amplifiers with the simple press of a button, eliminating the need to add additional power sequencers to the system.

(Lee Baldock)


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