Crestron Control Systems – SWAMP-24X8 Sonnex® Multiroom Audio System

“Sonnex® redefines what multiroom audio can be. Engineered by Crestron® — the pioneer in audio distribution control systems.”

Finally—a fully-scalable audio distribution system that delivers high-output audiophile sound quality to every room with significantly reduced cabling, low power consumption, advanced DSP, and integrator-friendly setup. The Sonnex®Multiroom Audio System takes audio distribution to a higher level, facilitating massive systems with up to 74 zones and over 30,000 Watts of power!

Employing a whole new system topology, Sonnex minimizes speaker wiring distances by allowing expansion units to be placed central to the rooms they serve. Twenty-four stereo channels of uncompressed digital audio and control are routed to each expander over a single inexpensive shielded CAT5e cable^[1]. Gone is all the clutter of amplifier interconnects and input loop-thru cables, meticulously integrating 8 zones of high-performance power amplification and signal processing, plus input switching for a generous 24 analog and digital sources, all in one compact 4-space rack-mountable package.

Integrated Audiophile Amplifier

With Sonnex, you get more power to the speakers—without compromising the electric bill or hogging precious space in your equipment rack. The SWAMP-24X8 boasts a custom hybrid amplifier design that achieves the warmth and neutrality of a fine Class AB amplifier with all the efficiency benefits of modern Class D. Designed to appease the most demanding listener, Sonnex possesses the sonic integrity of a world-class stereo amplifier eight times over to deliver faithful, eminently satisfying audio reproduction in every room from all your music sources.

Each of its 16 channels (configured as 8 stereo zones) delivers an unprecedented 140 Watts into 8 Ohms, or 240 Watts into 4 Ohms. And, for those large, noisy areas around the pool or patio, or in a game room or gym, any two adjacent outputs can be bridged to produce a gratifying 400 Watts per channel at 8 Ohms. As impressive as that is, you’ll be equally pleased to know that Sonnex accomplishes its class-leading performance in a mere four rack spaces while maintaining highly effective cooling with no need for extra clearance above or below. Each zone is individually controllable, saving further energy by turning off any unused channels.

24×8 Matrix Switcher

Designed with flexibility and expansion in mind, the Sonnex Multiroom Audio System provides numerous inputs to manage all your stereo audio sources, both analog and digital.

• A total of 24 discrete inputs are spread across an array of connectors, including unbalanced RCA, balanced terminal blocks, and SPDIF coaxial. Sonnex easily handles the multi-zone outputs from a TunerRack Modular Multi-Tuner (CEN-TRACK) or multiple Network Stream Players (CEN-NSP-1), plus all your digital television receivers and other devices.
• Audio return channels are easily added using Crestron AUD-EXT Audio over CAT5 Extenders to receive signals from remote AV receivers located up to 2000 feet (610 m) away.

For ease of use, descriptive names for every source input and zone output can be displayed on the front panel LCD and pushbuttons. Via the front panel controls, or from a Crestron touch screen or remote, any input can be selected for listening in any zone or group. Additional features include mono summing for distribution to non-stereo zones, scaling factor settings for defining minimum and maximum volume levels, source signal detection, and source gain compensation to assure a consistent level when switching between disparate sources.

Bonus Zones

In addition to its eight amplified zone outputs, the SWAMP-24X8 provides two additional SPDIF digital outputs for sharing stereo sources with centralized audio processors and AV receivers.^[2] These outputs can even be extended to feed remote AV receivers anywhere in the house using AUD-EXT Audio over CAT5 Extenders.

Sonnex Digital Audio Transport

Among the many exceptional features that set Sonnex apart from all other multiroom systems is the remarkable Sonnex Audio Transport. On the rear of the SWAMP-24X8 are eight Sonnex Link ports, enabling the connection of up to eight Sonnex Multiroom Audio Expanders (SWAMPE-4 or SWAMPE-8)^[3]. Each link transports professional-quality 24-bit, 48 kHz digital audio from all 24 inputs simultaneously to each expander, supporting wiring distances up to 200 ft (61 m) over a single CAT5e shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable^[1].

While the expanders can be installed centrally with the SWAMP-24X8, the ease of running just one tiny wire instead of 16 heavy speaker cables clearly affords a much better decentralized system approach. Installing each expander local to the rooms it serves, whether on a different floor, another wing, or a completely separate building, significantly reduces the amount of speaker wiring you’ll need to install. The benefits of reducing speaker wiring include faster, easier, and less expensive installation, as well as overall higher performance and efficiency by minimizing the signal loss inherent in long speaker runs.

Plug and Play Expansion

Control for each expander is also embedded in the Sonnex Link, dramatically simplifying installation and setup through a true one-wire interface. There’s no need to set addresses or write any special programming. Simply connect each expander to the SWAMP-24X8 and instantly control the complete system from the SWAMP-24X8’s front panel or Sonnex Tools software.

Advanced DSP

To truly deliver an ultimate listening experience in every room, Sonnex includes built-in digital signal processing providing a virtual arsenal of controls and adjustments, intelligently deployed to streamline both the installer setup procedure and day-to-day user operation. Key setup functions are accessible via the front panel, while more advanced settings are provided via Sonnex Tools software. Naturally, the essential user controls can be made available on any Crestron touch screen, keypad, handheld remote, or mobile device as part of a complete Crestron system.