Big Features, Small Footprint (and Price Point)

The Crestron DM-NAX-4ZSA-50 is a next-generation audio-over-IP amplifier that puts Crestron multiroom audio distribution on any DM NAX® audio distribution network. It provides four amplified stereo speaker outputs and one analog line-level stereo output for a total of five zones, or “4+1.” (And that “+1” zone isn’t amplified, making it perfect for connecting to an AVR.) A dedicated streaming service player for each of those zones enables complete freedom to stream different content in every zone. It offers all the same features and abilities as the DM-NAX-8ZSA without compromise. The only difference: Fewer zones and 50W per channel.

This smaller amp offers greater flexibility for the residential integrator tasked with adding an expansion amplifier to an existing system, outfitting MDUs, or working on smaller projects. Its small size makes it a great solution where rack space is at a premium — or there is no rack at all, since it can be mounted in a small closet or a low-voltage cabinet. By rack mounting two of these amps together, you’ve created 10 zones of audio in the space of just 1RU (that’s eight zones of amplified audio and two at line level). Simply put, it’s perfect for applications where an eight-zone amp would be overkill. It’s also passively cooled, which opens up a world of installations where silence is a must — there’s no fan noise at all.

This device also features cutting-edge GaN amp technology; all wrapped up in an elegant, passively cooled, surface-mountable half-rack box that’s a mere 1RU tall. With eight channels rated at 50W (RMS) each, this silent amp features five dedicated media players, four audio inputs (two for analog sources and one each for coax and digital), and two network ports.

The built-in DSP can really make distributed audio shine — even in homes that are full of the hard surfaces common in modern designs. Speaker profiles for first- and third-party speaker models are built in to simplify output DSP tuning.

And like all our other amps, the Crestron DM-NAX-4ZSA-50 offers native Crestron Home® OS platform integration, making setup in an existing system a snap. The solution can be run with any control device connected to a Crestron system or the Crestron Home OS, from wall-mounted keypads to remotes, touch screens, or the Crestron Home app. It can even be controlled by music apps like the Spotify® streaming service or Airplay® 2 software when playing audio in a zone.

Stream It All

The amp features AirPlay 2 software support and a separate music streaming service media player on each zone output — built right into the unit. Each media player supports the most popular streaming platforms. Not only can the AirPlay 2 software or media player sources be directly sent to the DM-NAX-4ZSA-50's zone outputs, but they can also be encoded to DM NAX technology streams that can be picked up by other DM NAX® amplifiers on the network — and DM NVX technology devices, too.

Of course, adding more DM NAX amplifiers to any system is simple — they integrate seamlessly with one another and the larger DM NAX® AoIP network. What’s more, the DM-NAX-4ZSA-50 is a natural extension to any existing DM NVX AV-over-IP system, including those that utilize the latest offerings from Crestron — the new DM NAX audio edge devices, for example.

DM NVX technology systems encode the audio portion of a video signal as a DM NAX stream, which can then be picked up by any DM NAX amplifier on a network, including the DM-NAX-4ZSA-50. The amplifier can be controlled by any custom Crestron system, and it’s completely compatible with the Crestron Home® OS, simplifying your residential installations.

There’s also a library of chimes built into the unit, and they can be assigned to different zones. If, say, someone rings a doorbell, the audio stream can duck or pause in that zone. Even if the user’s on the other side of the home, they’ll hear it.

Gallium Nitride (GaN) Amplification

Here’s where some of the real magic happens in this diminutive powerhouse: The DM-NAX-4ZSA-50 is the first Crestron amplifier to feature GaN Class D technology. That means more boom in a smaller box: GaN amplification allows higher output power to fit into small form factors without sacrificing efficiency or audio performance.

The heart of this technology is a new type of MOSFET — metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor — that’s become cost-effective enough to apply to devices such as this. Since it operates at a much higher switching frequency — that’s way out of the audio band — it's more efficient and produces much lower noise. You’ve likely already seen this technology out in the field — they’re the same kind of power sources that provide the output of 60W to charge devices such as Apple® Macbook® computers. The Crestron team scaled that up to a few hundred watts to drive the amp, giving it higher fidelity, and the efficiency to run at cooler temps than other products on the market.

Whether you’re outfitting a building full of MDUs, adding a few more zones to a big luxury audio system, or designing the perfect distributed audio setup for a residence or outbuilding with a smaller footprint, the DM-NAX-4ZSA-50 is your answer. Sometimes, big things really do come in small packages.