KHE Audio’s ACS Series lets you switch amp heads and cabs on the fly

KHE Audio has announced the ACS Series, a set of amplifier and cabinet switcher units that each offers a number of different capabilities.

The core application of the ACS Series is that it allows for instantaneous switching between amplifiers and cabinets – aimed at those who want a variety of sounds, but don’t want to power down, unplug, rearrange amp heads and then wait for the new amplifier to warm up. Depending on your needs, the series offers ACS switchers with different numbers of amplifier inputs and cab outputs.

KHE Audio gives a few examples of where they could come in handy, which include music stores that want to demonstrate different amps, a recording studio that needs access to quick A/B-ing of tones, or simply an amp collector’s music room.

Some models also offer a master effects loop, which can be used to share time-based effects with all of the connected amplifiers’ effects loops. They also offer a global attenuator insert if you want to keep volume levels manageable.

For those worried about amplifiers running without loads, KHE Audio also notes that the system is 100 per cent safe for tube amps – offering load resistors for unused amps, and a load detection circuit to ensure that connected cabinet jacks actually have a speaker load at the other end. All of this ensures amplifiers are never activated without a load connected.

The list of available products in the series is as follows:

• ACS 4×2 – supports four amplifiers and two cabinets. This more compact switcher lists for $699.
• ACS 4×4 – supports four amplifiers and four cabinets. This 1U rack-mount unit lists for $899.
• ACS 4×4 FX – supports four amplifiers and four cabinets, with four switchable effects-loops. This is the same as the ACS 4×4, but with the addition of the four effects loops. Lists for $1099.
• ACS 8×4 – supports eight amplifiers and four cabinets. For larger setups. This 1U rack-mount unit lists for $1099.
• ASX 8 – supports eight amplifiers and one cabinet. can be used as a standalone amp-switcher, or to expand other switchers with eight Amplifiers. Lists for $899
• CSX 8 – supports one amplifier and eight cabinets. Can be used as a standalone vab-switcher, or to expand other switchers with eight cabinets. Lists for $699
• AFX 8 – has eight switchable effects-loops as an add-on for the ACS 8×4 and the ASX 8. Lists for $699.

Find out more at khe-audioelectronics.com. For more gear news, click here.