ASHLY NE8250BD amplifier plus OPDante and OPDAC8 Option Cards

Product Overview

The Ashly NE8250BD is a network-enabled 8-channel power amplifier with factory-installed OPDante and OPDAC8 option cards, providing Dante audio network input and 8-channel analog D-to-A conversion output in a single Class-D rack-mount unit. Part of the NE Series, the NE8250BD is configured for low-impedance (4 ohm/8 ohm) speaker loads and delivers 1200W total RMS output for commercial AV installations requiring both Dante AoIP connectivity and direct analog output capability. Standard 10/100 Ethernet enables remote control and monitoring via Ashly Protea NE software without dedicated control hardware, and DC voltage remote gain control supports wall remote and building automation integration. The NE8250BD is built in the United States and certified cTUVus, CE, FCC, and RoHS.

Product Description

The NE8250BD combines Ashly's NE Series network amplifier platform with factory-installed Dante input and OPDAC8 D-to-A conversion cards, creating a unit that simultaneously receives Dante network audio, amplifies it to speakers, and converts digital audio to analog outputs for feeding other devices. This configuration is particularly useful in commercial facilities where the amplifier needs to serve both as a power amplifier and as an analog breakout point in a Dante audio network. Standard 10/100 Ethernet provides remote control and monitoring through Ashly Protea NE software. Stepped, calibrated front-panel attenuators allow consistent level settings during installation, and DC voltage remote gain control integrates with wall panels and building automation systems for user-accessible volume control. The unit can be placed in remote power standby via network command or contact closure, and all front panel controls can be disabled via software for tamper-resistant deployment in commercial installations. Temperature-sensitive variable-speed fan cooling with side-to-front airflow manages heat during continuous operation. Per-channel four-stage level meters plus output current and temperature indicators provide at-a-glance system monitoring. The NE8250BD supports AES3, Dante, and CobraNet option cards in addition to the factory-installed options, and is available in low-impedance, 25V, 70V, and 100V configurations within the NE series.

Key Features

• 8-Channel Low-Impedance Output — Rated at 8 ohm load with 1200W total RMS output.
• OPDante Card Included — Factory-installed Dante input card for AoIP audio from Dante-enabled devices.
• OPDAC8 Card Included — Factory-installed 8-channel D-to-A conversion for analog breakout from Dante network.
• Standard Ethernet Control — 10/100 Ethernet for Protea NE software remote control and monitoring.
• DC Voltage Remote Gain Control — Per-channel volume control from wall remotes and building automation.
• Stepped Calibrated Attenuators — Repeatable front-panel level settings for commissioning.
• Remote Power Standby — Network or contact-closure standby for energy management.
• Variable-Speed Fan Cooling — Temperature-sensitive side-to-front airflow cooling.
• Lockable Front Panel — All front panel controls can be disabled via software.

Typical Applications

• Commercial facilities requiring Dante-sourced low-impedance amplification
• Boardrooms and conference rooms with Dante AV systems
• Houses of worship with Dante audio networks needing analog output breakout
• Government and institutional audio installations
• Multi-purpose rooms with Dante-enabled audio infrastructure

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the NE8250BD and the NE8250.70BD?

The NE8250BD is configured for low-impedance (8 ohm) speaker loads. The NE8250.70BD is configured for 70V constant-voltage distributed speaker systems. Both include OPDante and OPDAC8 cards.

Does the NE8250BD include a DSP processor?

The NE8250BD includes standard NE Series network control and DSP. For full Protea Embedded DSP on all inputs and outputs, the NE8250PED or NE8250PE model is appropriate.

Why would I need both OPDante and OPDAC8 cards?

The OPDante card receives audio from a Dante network, and the OPDAC8 converts Dante audio to 8 analog outputs. This combination allows the unit to serve as a Dante-to-analog bridge for devices that require analog audio connections, in addition to its amplification function.

How is the NE8250BD controlled?

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

What input types does the NE8250BD support?

The unit accepts analog Euroblock inputs and the factory-installed Dante card. It also supports AES3 and CobraNet option cards for alternative digital audio input formats.