Steg K2|02 Amplifier Wins 2007/2008 EISA Best Amp Award
Not many are familiar with Italian amplifier manufacturer Steg, but if you ever get the opportunity to check out a Steg amp, I'm fairly certain you'll be as impressed as I was. Steg is imported to the States by Orca Design, the same distributor for Focal and Audio System - all high end audio.
Steg K-Series amps use oversized regulated power supplies, swappable crossover modules, fan cooling, and a host of other features. But the coolest thing about the K2|02? It features built-in microprocessors that continuously monitor the amp for problems, and tracks detailed performance data that is stored on internal memory and can be accessed and evaluated via personal computer.
The K2|02 was recently awarded the 2007/2008 "Best In Car Amplifier". Follow this link to learn more about the EISA Award, and follow the jump for a gallery of pics for the K2|02 and a great write-up from Steg explaining the benefits of this incredible amplifier.
Orca Design and Manufacturing is pleased to announce that the Steg K2|02 has won the 2007/2008 EISA
Award for “Best In Car Amplifier”.
As part of the K-Competition line, the K2|02 has been designed to maximize power, styling and sound
quality. This hefty amplifier relies on an oversized, regulated power supply, which maintains the same
power output regardless of voltage conditions. The crossover section employs switches to accommodate
your average installation. It also has replaceable modules for choosing precise crossover points for the more elaborate systems.
In addition, K-Competition amplifiers also possess the unique ability to monitor, diagnose and communicate their status and any potential problems to the user. Inside each unit is a bank of microprocessors that continuously monitor and record the amplifier’s status. This continuous monitoring enables the system to be aware of and protect itself from the common and uncommon faults that may enter its life. By checking the power supply, ground connection, short circuits, Direct Current on the speaker outputs, power-on/off thumps, and dangerous heating of the semiconductors it is able to protect itself. If a fault is detected it will either mute or in extreme cases power itself off. All safety events are communicated to the outside world via status LEDs on the input panel and most important of all, they are recorded in detail in the system’s internal memory, much like the “Black Box” used in airplanes.
Access to this information and communication with the amplifier itself is easily achieved though a personal computer via STEGLINK connection and the “MY STEG MANAGER” software package. Not only can this software be used to investigate past problems, but through its simple and intuitive graphical interface, it can display the status of the amplifier in real time, relaying essential operational parameters, such as power supply and remote/on voltage, running temperatures (right and left side of the heat sink), the status of the cooling fans and most of all, a detailed report of the protection system and any faults that it recorded. By analyzing this information, the installer can quickly detect the cause of any fault.
The software also offers a historical view of protection events. From one menu, you can access a section that gathers operative status details and generates a graphical summary of the data regarding the last 14 protection operations. This can be particularly useful in not only monitoring your audio system but also in detecting installation errors. The software will also record the user’s information along with a unique digital serial number into an encrypted area of memory in the amplifier, which makes each unit unique and traceable in case of theft or tampering.
Designed and built in Italy, the K2|02 offers an unbeatable combination of classic circuitry with high
technology in an impressive package.
The EISA Awards are chosen annually by Panels representing nearly 50 prominent Photo, Video, Audio,
Home Theater and Mobile Electronics magazines from up to 20 European countries. All Panels work
separately, but are under contract to the European Imaging & Sound Association.
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