NAD CI 8-120 DSP V2 Distribution Amplifier
Rack-friendly DSP amplification for clean installed systems that need strong sound and reliable control.
When Every Room Needs Its Own Tuning
Whole-home audio can become uneven quickly. One room sounds thin, another gets boomy, another needs more power, and the control system can only do so much if the amplifier cannot adapt behind the scenes.
The right CI amplifier should help Audio Two make the hidden speakers feel more consistent from room to room while keeping daily use simple.
Power, DSP, and Control in One Rack Space
We use the NAD CI 8-120 DSP V2 because it delivers eight channels of DSP-enabled custom-install amplification in a 1U rack space. NAD rates it at 8 x 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms, with consecutive channel pairs bridgeable to 200 watts.
That makes it a practical backbone for serious multi-zone projects where Audio Two can connect the right sources, use BluOS for music and zone control where that is enough, build Control4 scenes when the system is broader, design AVA control where the interface matters, and feed rooms that still sound like part of a premium home system.
What the Specs Won't Tell You
Hidden Speakers Can Feel More Consistent
The CI 8-120 DSP V2 gives each channel access to DSP tuning, which helps Audio Two correct some of the differences created by room layout and speaker placement. The result is a system that feels more coherent across zones.
The Rack Uses Space Efficiently
A 1U chassis is valuable in a custom rack because space disappears quickly. The CI 8-120 DSP V2 keeps eight amplified channels organized without making the rack larger than it needs to be.
Control and Service Are Built Into the Platform
The NAD web app allows setup, configuration, calibration, reboot, reset, preset management, and firmware updates over the network. Published Control4 driver support gives Audio Two a clearer path for integrating the amplifier into a larger control system, while BluOS can handle music and zone control where the project does not need more than that, and AVA can make the room-side interface feel simple where designed into the system.
The Audio Two Verdict
The CI 8-120 DSP V2 is the workhorse choice when the system needs strong multi-zone power, DSP flexibility, and a compact rack footprint. It gives Audio Two a clean way to build reliable hidden audio without sacrificing the sound quality story.
For many projects, this is the amplifier that helps the system feel finished: the rooms stay clean, the control experience feels simple, and the music has more substance than typical distributed audio.
Tech You Can Hear
| What You Hear | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| Multiple rooms play with stronger control | 8 x 120W per channel into 8 ohms |
| Priority zones can be given more headroom | Consecutive channel pairs bridge to 200W |
| Each area can be shaped to the speaker placement | 5-band parametric EQ per channel or zone |
| Scenes and presets feel more reliable | IP control for routing, mute, presets, and status commands |
| Long-term support is easier | Network service tools for calibration, reset, restore, and firmware updates |
Technical Highlights
- 8-channel DSP distribution amplifier
- 8 x 120W per channel into 8 ohms
- Bridgeable consecutive channel pairs up to 200W
- 1U rack-space design
- 5-band parametric EQ per channel or zone
- Flexible routing from any input to any output
- Published chassis drivers for Control4, Crestron, ELAN, RTI, and URC
Why Choose Audio Two
This is custom-install infrastructure for a designed Audio Two system. Audio Two plans the zone layout, matches the speakers and sources, builds the rack, configures BluOS, Control4, or AVA control as the project requires, and tunes the system so the technology stays hidden while the sound feels premium in the rooms where it matters.