This amplifier was released almost at the same time as the recently reviewed 16-channel HAM16.150DSP, and it's built on a similar platform. At first glance, it's just "scaled" by the number of channels, so is it necessary to examine it in detail? It's not that simple. The 8-channel has a few key differences (in both the digital and amplifier parts), so it's actually a completely different product and aimed at a different target audience.
To be honest, the Hellion HAM16.150DSP is designed to solve very specific tasks. It's more for those who are determined to play from all the standard places. As they say, if you want it, you can have it. But the 8-channel format is more in demand among those who start from their desires and preferences in sound and are ready to build systems more rationally.
So, today I'm going to take a look at the Hellion HAM8.100DSP. I've adjusted the price category to reflect that, but the amplifier itself didn't justify any special treatment. It's also reasonably priced, with 8 channels of amplification and 10 channels of digital processor processing (with a lot of sources).
FIRST IMPRESSION, DESIGN FEATURES
In the past, I've mostly worked with the first batch of Hellion products (i.e. already from the serial batch, but "pulled" for preliminary control). This time, I had a copy from the main delivery with the right packaging. The product looks great—in a hard box of "gift" type and in a cloth bag—in the best traditions of expensive "home." The kit comes with an additional nameplate (metal, by the way) in black if you want to match it to the design of the installation. For those who like a bit of style.
The case is 25 x 21 cm (plus connectors, which add a little more). It's double-sided, with connections on the long ends of the case. As usual, there are outputs and a power supply on one side, and low-current on the other.
What can be connected?
The high-level inputs are 8 channels. Of course, the system of auto switching is on the presence of a signal from the standard DG (or rather, on the presence of a constant component on the first pair of channels). The input impedance is 8 ohms, and it works with signals up to 22 V RMS.
Line inputs, also 8 channels. In the program, they're separated from the high-level ones, but at the hardware level, they're connected, so it's better to choose one or the other. I like that you can physically adjust the input sensitivity with potentiometers. Sometimes you might need to match the levels more precisely and reduce noise. Just a heads-up: the clipping indicators are really useful when setting up the system (if you know how to use them). They work perfectly, and I made sure they were working properly during the measurements.
Toslink optics is a pretty straightforward technology. There's nothing to dwell on here.
Bluetooth is more interesting here because the built-in module supports not only basic SBC, but also AAC and aptX codecs, including aptX HD.
USB Audio: You can connect the processor to an Android speaker (be sure to check for OTG support) and use it as an external sound card. It's connected by a cable with two USB-A at the ends.
Just a reminder that Hellion has this kit for smartphones that includes an extension cord (make sure you get the right size for your installation) and a USB-C OTG cable with an extra power supply.
You'll also get a regular cable for customizing from your laptop. It's 5 meters long.
What's in the box?
Like all the new Hellion amplifiers, the HAM8.100DSP has conformal board coating. The SMD elements are also protected with special varnish, and it's got mechanical reliability and IP54 moisture protection.
The fuses are inside the case, and the power supply is common for all 8 amplification channels. It wasn't possible to see the chips of the amplifying part, which are located under the board and pressed to the top cover. It's only known for sure that it's something from the power TDA. The Cirrus Logic CS47048 is responsible for digital signal processing. It works with digital signals at 192 kHz, and it has an ADC and DAC, except for channels 9/10, where the AK4619 is used. It's also used in other Hellion models. The platform used here is actually closer to the first Hellion HAM6.80DSP than to the latest models. The HAM8.100DSP has a few extra features, like automatic delay and EQ adjustment with the help of Hellion MC-1 microphone. We'll talk more about that later.
The hardware is mostly on the motherboard, with just the part that connects digital sources on small sub-boards.
Here's how you can customize.
The program starts up and connects to the processor right away, without any extra setup.
I got the device from the first batch, but when I tested it, a new firmware version was released, so I was offered to update it at the first launch. Of course, the computer should be connected to the Internet for this purpose. The program checks the current version on the processor with the latest available one.
The vendor generally recommends following the updates, as new features are added from time to time. For example, in this case, mixing of signals from analog and digital inputs was added (in the previous firmware it was not present). You can set in the routing window (it is familiar here, "matrix") which inputs go to which outputs and in what proportions they are mixed.
Just a quick reminder: in the program, you can switch between linear and high-level inputs, but at the hardware level, they're connected to each other. This is something to keep in mind if you want to connect several sources via analog.
As with other Hellion models, the first thing you need to do is decide what you want the outputs to do (tweeters, midrange, midwoofer, subwoofer, etc.). Then you set the filters to some safe values. Once you've done that, you can turn the system on without worrying about burning the speakers.
When you press the Bridge button (if you want to combine two channels), the combined channels start to be regulated in unison. You can even bridge channels 9/10, in which case the signal in one of them is inverted, so you can use a pair of monoblocks (if you want to get a really killer bass).
You can also link channels in pairs for parallel adjustment of filters and levels.
Another cool feature is the internal memory. You can save up to 10 configurations (presets) in it. Then you can switch between them using the Hellion DRC-1 remote control, which is available separately and fits all current Hellion processor models.
In terms of the standard processor functionality (filters, delays, EQ), everything is pretty much the same as before. Since the platform is similar to other Hellion processors, I won't go into them in detail. I'll just list them here for the sake of order:
You've got crossover filters, with a choice of steepness up to 48 dB/octave and filter type (Butterworth, Bessel, Linkwitz-Riley).
Equalizer: 21 bands, you can work in graphic mode (fixed set of frequencies and fixed width of each control band) or in parametric mode (you can change the center frequencies of the bands and their width).
The delays in the output channels can be adjusted up to 15 ms in 0.021 ms steps, which is like pushing the speakers 5.19 m and 1 cm, respectively.
AUTOMATIC DELAY AND EQUALIZER ADJUSTMENT
Now, about the automatic tuning of the system using a special Hellion MC-1 microphone. The principle is the same as in the first Hellion HAM6.80DSP processor amplifier, which went on sale a year and a half ago.
This time I didn't have a microphone on hand, but I was looking at the detailed process of tuning just when I was studying the Hellion HAM6.80DSP.
In a nutshell, it works like this: we first decide which channels are involved in the system, then we decide what we want to adjust: delays, signal polarity, equalizer (or all at once). If you want, you can set the target frequency response you want to get as a result (Rock, Classic buttons, etc.).
That's it! Just mount the microphone on the headrest and press "Start." The processor will start the signals, catch the microphone, and do its magic.
Just a heads-up: crossover filters should be set in advance, as they aren't automatically adjusted. Only delays and equalization.
Now, let's look at the amplifier part.
The background noise at the amplifier output is pretty low, consistently below -100 dBV. The harmonics are a little rough around the edges and have a few higher orders, but they don't affect the useful signal much.
The distribution of CGI across the spectrum is pretty standard. The lowest distortion is in the midrange frequencies, with a slight increase in the bass and treble frequencies.
In general, the amplifier behaves similarly to the Hellion HAM16.150DSP in terms of harmonic distortion. However, the power supply of D-class power chips is made more sparingly, which results in limiting occurring at slightly lower output powers. Graphs and figures show this as follows:
Here are the power parameters for the Hellion HAM8.100DSP, as measured at 1 kHz:
At 4 ohms, the amplifier is rated at 81 watts (THD=1%).
In 4-ohm operation, the maximum output power (THD=10%) is 98W.
In 4-ohm operation, the harmonic distortion (P=0.1Pmax) is less than 0.03%.
In 2-ohm operation, the rated output power (THD=1%) is 103W.
In 2-ohm operation, the maximum output power (THD=10%) is 115W.
It also performs well at 2 ohms, with a harmonic distortion coefficient (P=0.1Pmax) of less than 0.03%.
From these figures, we can see that bridging the channels will give us a little more than 200 W of undistorted power. This is definitely enough for a very light and sensitive subwoofer, but there aren't many options. It'd be better to build a subwoofer link with a separate monoblock and connect it to channels 9/10.