ASHLY NE8250.70BD Amplifier plus OPDante and OPDAC8 Option Cards

Product Overview

The Ashly NE8250.70BD is a network-enabled 8-channel power amplifier delivering 250W per channel into 70V constant-voltage speaker systems, with factory-installed OPDante and OPDAC8 option cards providing both Dante audio network input and analog D-to-A conversion output in a single unit. Part of Ashly's NE Series, this Dante-enabled zone amplifier is built on a high-efficiency Class-D platform with standard 10/100 Ethernet control via Protea NE software, making it a fully equipped solution for commercial AV installations requiring Dante AoIP integration with direct analog breakout capability. The OPDAC8 card adds 8 channels of D-to-A conversion, allowing the unit to serve as both an amplifier and a Dante-to-analog converter for feeding other analog devices on the system. With selectable high-pass filter frequencies, per-channel stepped attenuators, and temperature-controlled variable-speed fan cooling, the NE8250.70BD addresses demanding commercial audio environments.

Product Description

The NE8250.70BD is built on the NE8250.70 network amplifier platform, adding factory-tested OPDante and OPDAC8 cards for a complete out-of-box Dante-to-speaker and Dante-to-analog solution. The OPDante card accepts digital audio from any Dante-enabled source over standard IP network infrastructure, while the OPDAC8 card provides 8 channels of high-quality digital-to-analog conversion for feeding analog inputs on other devices. Standard 10/100 Ethernet provides remote control and monitoring through Ashly Protea NE software without requiring dedicated control hardware. DC voltage remote gain control on each input channel allows volume management from wall remotes and building automation systems. Each channel includes stepped, calibrated front-panel attenuators for consistent field-calibrated level settings during commissioning. Selectable high-pass filter frequencies (80 Hz, 400 Hz, or off) protect loudspeakers from low-frequency content in 70V distributed systems. A temperature-sensitive variable-speed fan with front-to-back airflow manages thermal load, and the unit can be placed in remote power standby via network command or contact closure. All front panel controls can be disabled via software for tamper-resistant deployment. Per-channel four-stage level meters and output current and temperature indicators provide at-a-glance system status. Safety certifications include cTUVus, CE, FCC, and RoHS.

Key Features

• 8-Channel 70V Output — 250W per channel (2000W RMS total) optimized for constant-voltage distributed speaker systems.
• OPDante Card Included — Factory-installed Dante input card for AoIP audio from any Dante-enabled device.
• OPDAC8 Card Included — Factory-installed 8-channel D-to-A conversion card for analog output to other devices.
• Standard Ethernet Control — 10/100 Ethernet for Protea NE software remote control and monitoring.
• DC Voltage Remote Gain Control — Per-channel DC voltage input for wall remote and building automation volume control.
• Stepped Calibrated Attenuators — Front-panel attenuators for repeatable level settings during commissioning.
• Selectable HPF — 80 Hz, 400 Hz, or off selectable high-pass filter for loudspeaker protection in 70V systems.
• Variable-Speed Fan Cooling — Temperature-sensitive front-to-back airflow cooling for reliable operation in equipment rooms.
• Remote Power Standby — Network or contact-closure standby for energy management.
• Lockable Front Panel — All front panel controls can be disabled via software for tamper-resistant deployment.

Typical Applications

• Commercial facilities requiring Dante-sourced 70V distributed audio
• Houses of worship with Dante audio networks
• Government and institutional buildings with paging requirements
• Conference rooms and all-hands spaces with Dante-enabled AV systems
• Multi-zone commercial audio installations needing analog breakout

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the "BD" suffix mean in NE8250.70BD?

"BD" indicates the unit ships with both a Dante input card (OPDante) and an OPDAC8 D-to-A conversion card factory-installed. This differentiates it from the NE8250.70PED, which includes the Dante card and full Protea Embedded DSP but not the OPDAC8 card.

What does the OPDAC8 card do?

The OPDAC8 card provides 8 channels of digital-to-analog conversion, allowing the unit to output analog audio to external devices from the Dante network audio stream. This is useful in systems where some devices require analog input connections.

Does the NE8250.70BD include a DSP processor?

The NE8250.70BD includes the standard NE Series network control features and DSP available in the base platform. For full Protea Embedded DSP on all inputs and outputs, the NE8250.70PED is the appropriate model.

What high-pass filter options are available on the NE8250.70BD?

The unit provides selectable HPF settings of 80 Hz, 400 Hz, or off. These settings help protect 70V distributed loudspeakers from low-frequency content that they are not designed to reproduce.

How is the NE8250.70BD controlled?

Remote control and monitoring are provided through Ashly Protea NE software over standard 10/100 Ethernet. DC voltage inputs allow per-channel gain control from wall remotes, and the remote power standby function can be activated via network command.