Audio Video Interiors MagazineAudio Video Interiors MagazineOn a list of high-end multi-room audio outfits, circa 1975, Audio Design Associates' name would sit right at the top. It would also appear in the middle and at the bottom of the list, too, because ADA was among the very first companies to design and build gear expressly to distribute audiophile-grade stereo music throughout the house.
The firm, which occupies a sprawling facility on the main drag of White Plains, New York, originated as a customizer and installer of conventional audio gear for proto-multiroom systems. Very quickly, however, ADA evolved into a full-fledged manufacturer, a transformation expedited by desires unfulfilled by the existing hi-fi industry. In short, ADA built what it needed, and rapidly found that others needed it too.
From the very beginning, ADA's products embodied a few key concepts that have become familiar standards in multiroom technology. These include centralized "homerun" system layouts, full-system control via in-wall (and tabletop) keypads and flexible source-component switching. In the ensuing decades, ADA's technology has evolved dramatically along with the multiroom industry in general. Nevertheless, the firm's latest MR lineup retains these central elements, upon which are built an impressive multiroom and home-theater technology.
Hop on the Bus
At the core of ADA's latest systems is a serial computer-communications protocol dubbed (and trademarked) ADA-Bus. This protocol was originally intended to be compliant with the then-nascent-and now-dormant-CEBus standard, which would have allowed equipment from various manufacturers to cooperate in a transparent, plug-and-play, unified fashion. But the CEBus standard was insufficient, so the development of ADA-Bus forked off to follow its own road.
In its current form, ADA-Bus embodies all the command structures necessary to operate a system assembled from a very broad selection of ADA multiroom components, including A_V controllers, sources, switchers, preamps, power amps and a bewildering variety of system keypads and handheld controllers. It also provides ample "hooks" to interface with other systems, and ADA makes a slew of computer interfaces, controllers and infrared repeaters_translators to integrate other sources, monitors and related gear.
But perhaps the most significant feature of ADA-Bus is its positive two-way communications. For example, when you select "FM, Preset I " on a late-model ADA system, the remote-room wall-panel's LED readout might display "89.7 PR 14" as the station begins playing. This feedback does not merely echo your command; it is initiated by an ADA-Bus response, electronically confirming that the tuner has in fact selected Preset I and successfully tuned the desired station, and that the system controller has switched the remote room to receive this signal.
ADA-Bus is a "distributed-processing" system: Each active ADA-Bus component includes full processing and communications hardware and software. Consequently, should one component or room have a problem, the rest of the system will continue to function. While this contrasts with many systems that employ a single, centralized master-component processor, it is not unique: Several other multiroom makers, notably Bang & Olufsen, also employ distributed-processing communications.
Inter-component communication is one aspect of ADA's up-to-date media solutions; home theater is another. Realizing that high-end home hi-fi was rapidly becoming high-end home theater, the New York firm began developing a complement of home-theater-ready technologies about two years ago. These evolved into a surround-sound processor_controller_preamplifier and a Home THX-certified multi-channel power amplifier, which are thoroughly integrated into the ADA multiroom scheme. (A Home THX-certified version of the surround processor is also available.)
System Omega
System Omega centers around a two-component layout based on a central, home-run rack. The Alpha 8R line-driver_switcher accepts inputs from eight stereo audio components. It handles distribution to individual remote-room amplifiers, as well as independent record-out bus switching, through a single 50-pin ribbon cable. Typically, each remote room is served by a single Omega CR-8A room amplifier, an integrated amp delivering 25 watts per channel into 8 ohms (40 watts into 4 ohms) that is said to be stable with any loudspeaker load down to 2 ohms. As many as 100 rooms_zones-each with its own CR-8A, can be controlled from a single Alpha.
For
individual rooms where more critical listening is required, the Omega CR-8P
control-room preamplifier can take the place of the CR-8A in the home-run
rack. This includes a processor loop to integrate surround (or other) processing,
and is available with balanced, professional-style XLR outputs to preserve
signal quality over long runs. Any power amps can be used, although ADA
manufactures a wide variety of its own, including several multi-channel
models suitable for multiple remote rooms or individual surround-sound locations.
Omega components can be integrated into an ADA-Bus system through a CIC-3000
computer-interface module that can manage 16 zone locations; 16 CICs can
be chained to serve 256 zones.
As mentioned earlier, ADA offers plenty of IR converters, controllers and repeaters for integrating other-brand source-components into its own multiroom family. The firm also manufactures one of the few source components on the market expressly designed for multiroom audio. The MT-3000 multi-tuner is a single rack-mount chassis that can be loaded with up to three individual tuner modules. These modules are available for FM, AM, shortwave or television video and sound; any combination of modules can be loaded in a single MT-3000.
Each tuner module provides 20 preset stations. The power of this arrangement is obvious: Each remote room can access as many as 60 radio_TV stations, which can be any mix of AM, FM, SW or TV. Alternatively, three rooms can select from among 20 stations each, with each room configured for the most appropriate broadcast source. Tuner performance is generally quite high, and the MT-3000 AM module, which is designed to use ADA's own amplified AM antenna, is one of the few high-performance AM tuners available. The MT-3000 mainframe also includes a built-in, four-quadrant, vectorscope tuning-meter display.
System Titanus
The other side of the ADA coin is System Titanus, the firm's "statement" home-theater audio system. Titanus is a stand-alone system that includes an audio_video switcher (VS-3), surround-processor_controller (SSD-66), MT-3000 tuner (with at least one TV module) and multi-channel power amplifier, all controlled by the MC-3000 tabletop controller_display. Most notably, each component is designed around the ADA-Bus protocol, so full control and user-feedback displays are available for every mode and function anywhere in the house. In addition, several System "Titanae" can be set up in a master room and distributed to multiple home-theater sites.
The VS-3 A_V switcher provides eight A_V inputs (four with an S-video option) and three A_V outputs. It is extensively programmable, and the display provides visual feedback of what's going on, mirrored via ADA-Bus on the display of the remote MC-3000 controller. For example, the readout might show "LASR TO PROJ" to indicate an audio_video path from laserdisc player to projection monitor. Programmable A_V splitting provides nearly infinite flexibility in system setup and configuration.
The SSD-66 surround processor works in conjunction with the VS-3: Together,
the two form an unusually flexible and configurable A_V surround preamplifier.
The processor itself is straightforward enough: stereo inputs and left,
right, center, surround and subwoofer outputs on the back; controls and
displays on the front. The latter include a 12-character LED readout that
displays mode and programming info and a four-way vectorscope that indicates
channel activity.
An ample variety of surround modes include Dolby Pro Logic, in addition to 3-channel stereo, a 4-channel music-surround setting and several others. (A recent software update has added a half-dozen new surround algorithms.) The SSD-66THX also incorporates Home THX processing and adds the requisite Pro Logic THX setting; existing SSD-66s can be converted to THX status with a quick visit to the factory.
For power, a full-bore System Titanus employs the unusual MPA-500 multi-channel power amp. This is actually a two-component system: Multiple power supplies are contained in a separate chassis, the MPS-500. The result is five channels of 400 watts each (into 4 ohms); a whopping 2 kilowatts of output power. For subwoofer power, ADA makes the PBA-500, a single-chassis amp dedicated to low-frequency power that includes parametric bass equalization on board.
Since the SSD-66 fully participates in ADA Bus communication, all of its extensive displays and controls are accessible from the MC-3000's keypad and display. This is essential in a multiroom setup where one or more SSD-66s (and associated amplifiers) in a central home-room or equipment closet are supplying remote rooms for multiple home-theater installations. All equipment can be hidden, with just the controller visible, without requiring on-screen video displays.
The MC-3000 is actually the core of the system. It's available ' in both wall-panel and tabletop formats, and includes the same 12-character LED readout found on most ADA front panels. Its 22 push buttons provide source and preset selection volume and tone controls; and transport control of VCRs, tape decks, laserdisc players and the like. The MC-3000 is an ADA Bus controller, so it can access every piece of gear in the system: You can control your current room, another remote room or the entire system. A wireless version of the controller (MC-0064) is in the works, which will communicate through a wall-mounted infrared "eye."
Back on the Bus
The ADA-Bus provides an even more powerful controller option. An ADA Bus system can easily interface with touchscreen controllers from AMX, Crestron and other manufacturers to integrate extensive home-automation control with the A_V system. This might include lighting, security, HVAC and more. Most touchscreens feature graphical interfaces that are fully configurable by system designers using a PC program, just as the System Titanus can be programmed, so the match is complete. A new system's entire command structure can be developed on the system-designer's PC, then downloaded to the customer's installation from a laptop computer.
The whole-house media possibilities are almost endless. ADA provides a computer-interface controller to integrate the System Titanus_MT-3000 gear with existing ADA setups such as the System Omega to form a multiroom_multi-hometheater installation of any complexity. Unfortunately, the price of admission isn't cheap.
However, the White Plains firm is now finishing a new multiroom setup targeted at what ADA considers the midrange of the home-media market. The Delta System implements ADA-Bus to serve zones_rooms with full-performance audio from a single Delta preamp_switcher_power amp.
Even so, cost is unlikely to be the biggest concern of most ADA customers. The firm's reputation and innovation transcend mere price. So on a list of leading multiroom media manufacturers circa 1995, look for ADA near the top, and not just alphabetically.
Audio Design Associates, Inc - www.ada-usa.com - 1-800-43-AUDIO or (914) 946-9595