Bowers & Wilkins intros 16-channel eight zone amplifier

Bowers & Wilkins has added an eight stereo zone distribution amplifier to its Custom Installation range. The CDA-16 has been engineered to work with any existing Bowers & Wilkins custom installation speaker and has the ability to drive 16 channels, or eight stereo zones, for whole home audio applications.

The CDA-16 adopts a compact 1U (44.5mm high) design for easy rack mounting and uses cool-running Class D amplification for maximum power output and energy efficiency. There are three power mode options for control: on, auto-source detect and a 12v trigger.

Integrators have the option to bridge stereo channels for more powerful mono outputs. By default, the CDA-16 offers 50W to each of its 16 channels in to 8ohm loads, rising to 100W with 4ohm speakers. Using the bridging function, that rises to 200W into 8ohms.

Connections comprise eight pairs of phono inputs for line-level analogue connection, with the option of using one set of inputs as a ‘global’ connection that shares the same signal across all outputs.

The CDA-16 is available from April 15, and retails for £1,800.