NAD - CI 16-60 DSP V2 - Multi-Channel Network Power Amplifier

Sixteen channels. Two rack units. Built to run continuously. The NAD CI 16-60 DSP V2 delivers 16 channels of HybridDigital™ amplification at 60W per channel into 8Ω — all channels driven simultaneously — with bridgeable channel pairs (140W bridged), onboard DSP, Peak and RMS limiters, analogue input sensing, 12V trigger, web UI configuration, and loop-out connectivity. Designed for scalable multi-zone residential and commercial distributed audio systems.

Sixteen Channels. Two Rack Units. Built for the Long Run.

Modern distributed audio systems place demands on amplification that a traditional two-channel or home theatre amplifier was never designed to meet: continuous operation over months or years, consistent output across multiple simultaneous zones, reliable integration with automation systems, and amplification that performs in real-world use rather than just in a specification sheet.

The NAD CI 16-60 DSP V2 was designed for exactly this. Sixteen channels of clean, efficient HybridDigital™ power in a two-rack-unit chassis — providing a centralised amplification platform that can drive up to sixteen speaker zones, or eight bridged high-power zones, from a single unit in the equipment rack. Pair it with the NAD CI 580 V2 Four Zone Network Music Player for a high-quality, cost-effective distributed audio system that scales with the project.

Full Disclosure Power — 60W, All Channels Driven

NAD has always provided Full Disclosure Power (FDP) specifications — a commitment that the power rating refers to continuous power with all channels driven simultaneously, into the specified load, using a full-frequency test tone, at the stated THD level. This is not a peak figure, a single-channel figure, or a best-case test condition.

The CI 16-60 DSP V2 delivers 60 watts per channel into 8 ohms continuously with all sixteen channels driven simultaneously — at 0.05% THD from 20Hz to 3kHz. Into 4 ohms, continuous output is 65 watts per channel. This is the power the system will actually have available at 2am on a Saturday when all zones are active. No asterisks. No footnotes.

In bridged mode, channel pairs deliver 140 watts continuously into 8 ohms — with all channels driven simultaneously — or 150 watts at clipping. IHF dynamic power in bridged mode reaches 270 watts per channel (all channels driven) or 280 watts (two channels driven), providing meaningful headroom for transient demands in zones requiring higher output.

NAD HybridDigital™ Amplification — Efficiency Without Compromise

At the core of the CI 16-60 DSP V2 is NAD's HybridDigital™ amplification — the same amplification architecture found in NAD's Classic Series integrated amplifiers, applied to the demands of a 16-channel continuous-duty installation amplifier. By minimising noise and distortion through an efficient Class D topology, HybridDigital delivers consistent performance into 8 or 4 ohm speaker loads with reduced heat generation and energy consumption — critical qualities for an amplifier designed to run continuously in a rack environment.

The result is clear, dynamic sound whether the system is playing low-level background music or running at higher levels during entertainment — with frequency response within ±1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz, channel separation exceeding 60dB at 1kHz, and a damping factor of 110 that provides adequate speaker control for distributed audio applications.

Onboard DSP — Peak and RMS Limiters

The CI 16-60 DSP V2 incorporates onboard digital signal processing — configurable via the web user interface — to allow installers to fine-tune performance for specific loudspeakers and acoustic environments. DSP enables precise level adjustment to achieve balanced output and consistent tonal response across zones, ensuring that differences between rooms and speaker types are compensated for systematically rather than through manual level trimming alone.

Peak and RMS limiters provide protection for the connected loudspeakers — preventing the kind of sustained high-level signals that can damage drivers, while still allowing short transient peaks to pass through cleanly. This protection is particularly valuable in commercial or mixed-use environments where the system may be operated by users who are not audio professionals.

Flexible Channel Configuration — Line-Level Inputs and Loop Outs

Each channel accepts a balanced or unbalanced line-level input, with an analogue audio sense threshold that allows the amplifier to detect the presence of a signal and respond accordingly. Loop outputs allow signals to be distributed to additional amplifiers in the system without degradation — supporting scalable installations where a single source feeds multiple rack units.

Bridgeable channel pairs allow the CI 16-60 DSP V2 to adapt to varying power requirements within the same installation — standard 60W zones alongside bridged 140W zones in the same chassis, without additional hardware.

Automation-Ready — 12V Trigger, Web UI, RS-232

A 12V trigger input (accepting 3–30V DC) allows the CI 16-60 DSP V2 to be powered on and off by compatible automation controllers. Web UI configuration provides straightforward setup and ongoing system management without requiring proprietary software. The CI 16-60 DSP V2 is designed for integration into Control4, Crestron, Lutron, and other major automation platforms — a rack-resident workhorse that cooperates with the wider system rather than working against it.

Designed for the Custom Install Environment

The CI 16-60 DSP V2 is a 2U rack-mount chassis (483 × 100 × 435mm) — a standard format for equipment rack installations in residential and commercial environments. At 10.3kg, it is a solid, well-built unit designed for long-term rack mounting and continuous operation. Standby power consumption is just 0.5W when not in active use.

Feature Cards

🔊 16 Channels — 60W Each — All Channels Driven Simultaneously

Full Disclosure Power: 60W/8Ω and 65W/4Ω continuously, all 16 channels driven at once, at 0.05% THD. Not a peak figure. Not a single-channel figure. The power that will actually be available when the system is fully loaded.

⚡ Bridgeable Channel Pairs — 140W Continuous

Allocate additional power to zones with higher requirements by bridging channel pairs — 140W continuous (all channels driven) or 280W IHF dynamic (two channels driven). Flexible within the same chassis.

🎛️ Onboard DSP — Peak & RMS Limiters — Web UI Configuration

Digital signal processing for per-zone level adjustment and tonal tuning. Peak and RMS limiters protect connected loudspeakers. Full configuration via web interface — no proprietary software required.

🏗️ 2U Rack-Mount — Automation-Ready — Optimised for Continuous Operation

483 × 100 × 435mm, 2U rack chassis. 12V trigger (3–30V DC). Line-level inputs and loop outs. Designed for integration with Control4, Crestron, Lutron, and other major automation platforms. Optimised for reliable, long-term continuous operation.

Editorial Blockquote

"NAD has always provided real-world power specifications for amplifiers — Full Disclosure Power. It means that the power rating refers to continuous power, with all channels driven simultaneously, into an 8 ohm load, using a full-frequency test tone and with THD at rated power." — NAD Electronics

At-a-Glance Bullets

• Custom Install Series — 16-channel multi-zone power amplifier
• NAD HybridDigital™ amplification — Class D, continuous duty
• Continuous output (8Ω, all channels driven): 60W per channel
• Continuous output (4Ω, all channels driven): 65W per channel
• Continuous output (bridged, 8Ω, all channels driven): 140W per channel pair
• Clipping power (8Ω): 60W — Bridged clipping: 150W (all channels driven)
• IHF dynamic power: 65W (8Ω, all channels) — 70W (8Ω, two channels)
• IHF dynamic power (bridged): 270W (all channels) — 280W (two channels)
• Peak output current: 15A (1Ω, 1ms)
• THD (1W–50W, 8Ω and 4Ω): 0.05% (20Hz–3kHz)
• SNR: 80dB A-weighted (500mV input, 1W/8Ω ref)
• Damping factor: 110 (20Hz–1kHz, 8Ω)
• Frequency response: ±1dB (20Hz–20kHz)
• Channel separation: 60dB (1kHz)
• Input impedance: 20kΩ / 220pF
• Input sensitivity (50W/8Ω, max volume): 760mV
• Maximum undistorted input level: 2,900mV
• Analogue audio sense threshold: 3 ±0.5mV RMS (100Hz–10kHz)
• Trigger input: 12V (3–30V DC)
• Onboard DSP — configurable via web UI
• Peak and RMS limiters — loudspeaker protection
• Line-level inputs — loop outputs for system scalability
• Rack-mount chassis: 2U — 483 × 100 × 435mm
• Net weight: 10.3kg
• Standby power: 0.5W
• Compatible with: NAD CI 580 V2 Four Zone Network Music Player
• Custom Install Series — NAD Electronics

Specifications

Amplifier

Inputs & Control

General

Closing Quote

"Sixteen channels. Full Disclosure Power. Continuous duty. The NAD CI 16-60 DSP V2 — the amplification backbone for every multi-zone system that has to work every time."