CREST AUDIO CA18 Professional Power Amplifier

The Crest Audio CA18 professional power amplifier is designed to achieve unsurpassed sonic performance and long-term reliability – even when operating under extreme stress - in touring or fixed installation applications. The Crest Audio CA18 amplfier provides high power output coupled with true clarity, and is well-suited for high-powered 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 Crest Audio CA18 amplifier will drive 2 Ohm loads safely without compromise in performance.

The Crest Audio CA18 amplifier is built exclusively in Crest’s own USA manufacturing facility, with internal components selected for premium quality and proven durability. Each modular subassembly is pre-tested, and the assembled CA18 amplifier receives a rigorous “hot room” burn-in before thorough final checkout on precision test equipment.

CREST AUDIO 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
5-Way Binding Post Outputs or Speakon™ connectors
(market dependent)
External switches for stereo/parallel/bridged mono mode,
Pin 2/3 hot (+), ground lift, and gain/input sensitivity
Recessed, stepped attenuators
Front panel circuit breaker switch
Modular construction
Five-year warranty*

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 Ohm impedances.

- AutoRamp gradually increases gain to attenuator setting level when amplifier is turned on.

- TourClass also includes comprehensive thermal management, and short circuit, DC voltage, turn-on/off transient, current inrush and sub/ultrasonic input protection.

CREST AUDIO CA18 POWER SPECS:
		8 Ohm Stereo	4 Ohm Stereo	2 Ohm Stereo	8 Ohm Bridged	4 Ohm Bridged
1kHz, 0.01% THD+N:	.......	1000 W	1800 W	2500 W	3600 W	5000 W
20Hz-20kHz, 0.1% THD+N:	.......	950 W	1700 W	2400 W	3400 W	4800 W

CREST AUDIO CA18 GENERAL SPECS:
Max RMS Output Voltage:	.......	99 V / Channel
Peak Output Voltage:	.......	140 V / Channel
Frequency Response:	.......	20 Hz - 20 kHz, -3dB @ 150 Hz (+0 / -0.3dB, 1W / 8 Ohm)
Power Bandwidth :	.......	20 Hz - 20 kHz, -0.2dB /+.2dB (rated power at 4 ohm, 1% THD+N)
THD=N:	.......	<0.03% (rated power at 4 Ohm, 1kHz)
SMPTE IMD:	.......	<0.01% (rated power at 8 Ohm, 60Hz & 7kHz)
Damping Factor:	.......	800:1 (10 - 400Hz at 8 Ohm)
Input Sensitivity:	.......	0.775V standard
Voltage Gain :	.......	X115 standard
Input Impedance:	.......	>20k Ohm Balanced / >10k Ohm Unbalanced
Class:	.......	H
Input Connectors:	.......	Female XLR (Pin 2+, dealer configurable for pin 3+), TRS (tip+)
Output Connectors:	.......	5-way binding posts or Speakon Connectors
Power Supply:	.......	100V-240V, 50-60Hz
Idle Current Draw 120V:	.......	3.0A
1/8 Power Draw:	.......	12A (typical music, 120V / 4 Ohm)
1/3 Power Draw:	.......	25A (continuous music, 120V / 4 Ohm)
Max. Current Draw:	.......	36A (circuit breaker rating, 120V / 4 Ohm)
Thermal Emissions:	.......	7125 BTU/hr (1/8 power, 4 Ohm)
Thermal Emissions:		9450 BTU/hr (1/3 power, 4 Ohm)
Cooling:	.......	Back to Front via 2 rear panel mounted variable speed DC fans with removable filters
Dimensions:	.......	5.25" H x 19" W x 18" D
Gross Weight / Net Weight:	.......	82 lbs / 77lbs
Warranty:	.......	5 years *