Multizone streaming specialist Lode Audio joins CUK

Lode Audio’s Made for CI range of multizone music streamers are now available from AV distributor CUK Group.

Designed and manufactured in the UK, Lode’s range of multizone music streaming systems aim to fill the gap in the market between mainstream multiroom solutions and ‘audiophile’ single room streamers. For residential and commercial integrators, they’re an easy to deploy, high quality music solution.

Systems are suitable for residential installation, as well as commercial, marine and hospitality environments.

Lode is a specialist in proprietary HD audio design, audio-over-IP architecture, control system drivers and ‘additive’ API technology. Its dedicated CI design priorities are intended to offer practical and performance advantages over mainstream offerings, when it comes to CI applications.

Available from CUK, Lode’s offerings include LA1D, LA2D and LA4D 1,2 and 4-zone players, the compact POE powered LA1 Mini single zone player and LA DANTE 4-zone Dante system running on Ethernet from a router or switch. All the zone players feature Hi Fi grade DACs with a wide 112dB dynamic range, an impressive S/N of 112dB and THD at -93dB. They also upscale, all popular file formats, including MP3, M4P, M4A, Flac, WAV and AAC to 32bit/48kHz for output over analogue stereo or digital connections. 

Control options are extensive. Lode offers proprietary drivers for seamless integration with AMX, Crestron (for both Media Player and smart graphics installations), Control 4 (with Janus Technologies), Elan (with Intrinsic Group) and RTI automation systems.

Additionally, Lutron’s advanced TCP API integration allows Lode streamers to work with the Homeworks system.. Using intuitive interfaces on tablet, phone and desktop, customers are able to navigate playlists on Tidal, Deezer, Soundcloud, and Pandora for instance, or radio from TuneIn, Internetradio, HotelRadioFM and SoundMachine, as well as local NAS music libraries.

Apps and drivers are available from the Lode site.

Unlike retail rivals, Lode systems can be set up using a web-UI and are scalable to up to 64 rooms of independent audio with any number of grouped rooms, and with the lowest audio and control latency.

Integrators can run a Lode system run straight from a router on LodeNet, a proprietary AoIP matrix that syncs all load boxes, allowing users to group zones for synchronised playback of content without the need of an external matrix.

The company also has an in-house development team with a wealth of source code to reduce project development time and ensure the best user experience for integrators and end users.

Special features include custom scheduling for hospitality applications, which can be set up from the web-UI to allow music to change in different rooms at different times. Those installers using audio-over-IP technologies within marine and commercial installation, can take advantage of Lode La Dante.

Commenting on the new partnership CUK MD Stuart Thomson said: “at a time when music streaming is a must-have for all households, we’re delighted to be offering a proven high performance platform that hands the power to determine quality back to CI integrators, and by the same token, demonstrate CUK’s commitment to the CI market.”