Audio Control Extends Award-Winning ""Architect"" Multichannel Amp Lineup

AudioControl, globally acknowledged for its reputation of offering sensible, logical components featuring innovative, occasionally even iconoclastic design, is shipping the latest in its ""Architect"" line of multi-room amplification designs: The Architect Model 700ô.Recognizing the custom-installer's ever-growing need for reliability, space-efficiency, and performance, the new Architect 700 is modeled after AudioControlís Architect 1250 - recipient of CEDIAís 1996 ""Product of the Year"" Award. The Model 700 combines 12 channels of clean, ultra reliable 50-watt power (plenty for most whole-house, multi-room setups) in a single, super-compact package that also includes truly-useful equalization, flexible configuration, and the unsurpassed, ultra-robust reliability that, says the company, makes the AudioControl Architect designs all but abuse proof.According to President Tom Walker, ""We are very happy to number among our dealers several of the countryís preeminent custom-install experts. On the top of every one of their lists is amplification that simply will not trip or shut down except in response to a genuine internal fault - even under the brutal hands of a teenagerís hip-hop house-party. So we created our ëfail-safeí Light Drive protection. Of course, along with giving our customers what they want, AudioControl also delivers what they need: Hence the 700ís six-band EQ and speaker-preserving filtering, both of which will make typical systems sound better - a good deal better."" Like the preceding Architect Model 1250 and 500 products, the Architect 700 delivers its power via 12 fully discrete entirely independent channels, each providing a dynamic, and stable output of 50 watts - all channels driven (0.12% THD, 20H2-20 MHz). Each of the Model 700ís six channel pairs may also be bridged to form up to six 100-watt outputs. The amplifierís 12 channels are supported by an efficient power supply design that eliminates any need for noisy, failure prone fan mechanisms, while maintaining highly dynamic, high current multiple supplies. Also like its siblings, the Architect 700 features AudioControlís unique Light Drive protection system. This proprietary design is sonically non-invasive, yet it reliably and safely eliminates any possibility of clipping distortion or amplifier damage under even the most severely over-driven conditions. Next, this high-speed, individual-channel protection extends to over-temperature or DC-offset conditions. Most important of all, each of these mechanisms is a permanent; self-resetting system that operates on each channel individually, so a multi-room or multichannel system need never be globally ""down"" due to trouble with a single channel. Says the company the bottom line is that system designers and installers can eliminate those frustrating, weekend service calls that turn out to be nothing more than a popped breaker or blown fuse. As unique as the Architect 700 is in its power-amp modes, its on-board performance-enhancing elements, says the company, are every bit as significant. Integral equalization provides independent, six-band adjustment to each of its 12 channels. And the filtersí center frequencies are carefully chosen for real world utility with the in-wall and smaller, bookshelf-type speakers usually found in whole house systems. At 45, 150, 300, 700, 2500, and 12,000 Hz, these are well considered both for enhancing such speakersí performance, and for mitigating the most troublesome of typical room acoustics effects. Also on-board the Model 700 is AudioControlís PFM system (Programmable Filter Module). This permits the designer/installer to set bass blocking for each channel, individually. While deliberately limiting bass might seem on the face of things to be counter-productive, with in-wall and smaller speakers it in fact serves two critical functions. First, sharply rolling off very-deep bass and infrasonic signals protects the loudspeakers from dangerous excursions. Second, removing these frequencies, says the company, actually lowers distortion produced within the loudspeaker, and extends its perceived bass extension by eliminating any efforts to reproduce un-reproducible frequencies in their playback. Input-bussing, and input-level controls on all 12 channels permits flexible configurations at time of installation and separate, signal-sensing output-muting for each channel pair eliminates turn-on/off ""pops,"" without interrupting playback in other zones or channels. A low-voltage input for remote power-control permits the Architect 700 to respond to power-on trigger signals supplied by most multi-room or home theatre controllers. AudioControlís mechanically reliable removable, high-signal-transfer connection block is said to make speaker wiring fast, easy, and simple. Despite its multi-function, high-power nature, the AudioControl Architect Model 700ís compact design occupies just 5-1/4 inches of panel height; an optional rack-mount adapter is available. The Model 700 is crafted on a heavy-duty, all-metal chassis entirely by AudioControl at the companyís Washington-state facility. The Architect Model 700 is available now and backed by a five-year warranty. Pricing: AudioControl Custom Installation products do not have a suggested retail price since they are part of a complete system. For more information phone Audio Controlís Chris Kane at 425 775 8461.