Lab.gruppen has announced an expansion of the popular C Series of installation-dedicated amplifiers with the addition of four new amplifiers, two each in 8-channel and 4-channel formats.

The new models, on show at Plasa 2006 are: C 20:8X (8 x 250 watts), C 10:8X (8 x 125 watts), C 10:4X (4 x 250 watts) and C 5:4X (4 x 125 watts). Power ratings for each are the same at 70V, 4 ohms, 8 ohms, and 16 ohms. The C 20:8X and C 10:8X weigh 9.5 kg. The C 10:4X and C 5:4X weigh 8.5 kg. All models are in a 2U housing and backed by Lab.gruppen's 6-year, no-quibble warranty.

The new amplifiers employ a unique Class D implementation ideally suited to lower power levels where the benefits of Class TD are less easily realized and where cost versus performance is paramount. A newly developed universal switching power supply employs PFC (Power Factor Correction) to stabilize current draw and accepts any mains voltage from 90 - 265 VAC (50 Hz or 60 Hz). The combination produces a flat frequency response into reactive loads, and does not colour the sound in any way, emulating the classic Lab.gruppen Class TD and Regulated Switch Mode Power Supply. As with all C Series models, an interface for Lab.gruppen's proprietary NomadLink control and monitoring network is included as standard.

"Since the C Series was launched almost a year ago it has become a worldwide best seller," says Michael Jarl Christensen, VP Sales, Lab.gruppen. "These products are now responsible for a significant portion of our business and the sales figure is growing swiftly. We have been asked repeatedly by contractors and specifiers to develop lower powered derivatives of the original C Series, with a higher channel count if possible, while maintaining the fidelity, reliability, features and performance of their siblings. Now there are eight well defined models in the line I feel we have, so to speak, covered most of the installation-dedicated amplifier bases."

With all C Series models, each pair of channels may be bridged to provide a variety of output configurations. Full power without clipping is assured, as overall input sensitivity on all models is adjustable in 3dB increments from 23 to 44dB.  Additionally, VPL (Voltage Peak Limiting) tailors each individual output for the specific load conditions, providing eight peak power output levels to optimize performance while protecting mid- and high-frequency voice coils.

The original C Series models include; C 68:4, 4 x 1700 watts @ 4 ohms, C 48:4, 4 x 1200 watts @ 4 ohms, C 28:4, 4 x 700 watts @ 4 ohms and C 16:4, 4 x 300 watts @ 4 ohms.

The new C Series models are expected to start shipping Winter 2006/7.