Powersoft, the Italian amplifier specialist, is exhibiting at ISE 2023 in Barcelona this week, where the team is demonstrating its latest product, a new cloud-based amplifier platform called UNICA. This offers simple integration, straightforward configuration and low maintenance costs in one future-proof package.
The name UNICA has two meanings in Italian, unique and single, and this is what Powersoft is offering with this new solution, a unique and single amplifier platform that is versatile enough to cover a wide range of applications, while also providing the highest level of audio quality, reliability and efficiency. UNICA delivers consistency across the full range of the firm’s amplifiers.
A sophisticated new platform
In Powersoft’s 28-year history, UNICA is its most sophisticated amplifier platform. It uses cutting-edge, cloud-based technology to deliver a secure, reliable user experience for any size installation. With a clear focus on requirements for the future, UNICA assures users of simple integration, easy configuration, and low maintenance costs for the foreseeable future—all in a single, readily upgradeable, and future-proof package.
There are three four-channel (UNICA 9K4, 12K4 and 16K4, with 9,000W, 12,000W and 16,000W respectively) and three eight-channel models (UNICA 2K8, 4K8 and 8K8, with 2,000W, 4,000W and 8,000W) in the UNICA range.
Claudio Lastrucci, R&D director and co-founder of Powersoft, explains that UNICA represents the third and latest generation of Powersoft amplifier platforms, designed to meet the requirements of any size of installation with a single product family. UNICA features high power density, top-shelf sound quality, and class-leading efficiency, and is supported by no less than five new patents and four existing ones.
“UNICA is engineered to accommodate upcoming functions and feature expansions to fulfil the most demanding audio design requirements for years to come – all within a single platform,” says Lastrucci. “By listening to customer feedback and market demands, and drawing on our passion and R&D ingenuity, we have, with UNICA, created an amplifier platform truly fit for the future.”
By providing cloud-native connection and remote monitoring features without the need for specialised product registration or configuration, UNICA, along with Universo, Powersoft’s new cloud-based platform, marks an important turning point in the development of cloud-based devices. It is possible to update the firmware of the amplifier using the cloud, store and share creations online, or simply integrate in third-party systems using APIs.
Suitable for a range of applications
Installers and system integrators may address a variety of applications, in any size installation, using a single amplifier platform family thanks to UNICA. This will enable the creation of strong value and consistency across many applications over the whole project lifecycle, resulting in a future-proof and more productive job.
“As a single, versatile platform with broad power range options, functionalities and networking capabilities, suitable for a myriad of applications from high-quality background music to performance venues, UNICA unlocks the power of consistency for busy, hard-working AV integrators and fixed-installation professionals,” says Lastrucci.
“Specifying amplifiers from a single product family that can cover a wide range of SPL requirements translates into tidier racks and a new level of user experience,” he adds, “while user-friendly features such as a straightforward third-party communication protocol and simple amplifier replacement with Easy Swap help eliminate any support headaches.”
Efficiency and reliability
Powersoft’s renowned efficiency and real-world operability are enhanced by UNICA’s brand-new power supply section, resulting in less power being lost as waste heat. Powersoft’s patented Smart Rails Management (SRM) enables the supply rails to adapt in real time to the required output voltage to maximise efficiency and decrease idle losses. The latest generation of single-stage power factor correction (PFC) and cutting-edge system-on-chip technology processing grant low power consumption and thermal dissipation.
When used, an Eco Mode further reduces usage, producing cooler racks and significantly lower long-term operating expenses.
UNICA’s patented next-generation architecture has the best signal-to-noise ratio ever attained on a Powersoft amplifier and enables high-quality amplification with newly designed input and output parts. This cutting-edge technology platform enables accurate line-level and digital signal reproduction in high-performance systems.
Additionally, it introduces the most recent system-on-chip technology-based DSPs from Powersoft. When just PoE+ power is provided, the DSP section can still function, making pre-configuration and deployment easier.
New solution for industry problem
System integrators often invest significant time and energy into reducing system downtime. As a result, service-level agreements and good design standards are crucial instruments for preventing audio equipment failure. Reactivity is also essential in the event of failure. Trained professionals must gain access to the installation, evaluate the situation, and, if remote or on-site repair is not possible, replace the unit. Before the audio system can be used, they must programme the new device and conduct a number of tests.
Powersoft developed a cutting-edge capability for hot-swapping amplifiers to address this significant industry problem: Because each UNICA amplifier has the ability to automatically archive backups on a flash memory drive located on the rear panel, consumers may quickly swap out a defective unit for a new one without needing to know how to configure it or anything about the product.
In comparison to other amplifier generations, UNICA is optimised to decrease points of failure and provide better performance. It is based on Powersoft’s patented third-generation architecture. UNICA is the quietest amp Powersoft has ever created. An entirely redesigned power supply section enables efficient conversion, resulting in less power dispersion through lost heat, and a novel approach to heat management has resulted in less fan noise. Additionally, a filter is accessible without the use of any tools, which expedites and improves the convenience of maintaining dust-free airways.
Three ethernet ports are used for networking, allowing both AoIP and control redundancy and splitting control vs AoIP traffic. Audio over IP is controlled by Dante and AES67 thanks to a firmware-level protocol.
The output component of UNICA has improved Power Sharing compared to previous Powersoft products, allowing each output channel to supply up to twice the power when loaded asymmetrically.
“Being designed around future functionalities and added features, our new-generation platform guarantees customers maximum reliability and simplified operations throughout the entire project, from planning to completion,” says Lastrucci.
“This, combined with its reference-quality sound, industry-leading power efficiency and a straightforward user experience, makes UNICA a truly futureproof amplifier platform, and the new industry standard.”
Last year, Powersoft attended IAAPA Expo in Orlando for the first time, where the team showcased a range of solutions including Mover.
