The BLU-BOB features eight analogue audio outputs on standard terminal block connectors and the 256-channel, low latency, fault tolerant digital audio bus, also found on the BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160 and BLU-120 devices. In addition to providing a backbone for the transportation of multiple channels, this bus also facilitates the creation of large, fault-tolerant, centralized matrices containing multiple devices.
The digital audio bus uses standard, inexpensive Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable, which enables a distance of 100m between devices. The BSS Audio MC-1 fibre optic media converter can be used to increase the distance between devices to over 10km using single mode fibre.
A series of DIP switches on the rear of the BLU-BOB device allow consecutive channels, in groups of eight, to be selected from the digital audio bus. Multiple BLU-BOB devices can be configured to receive the same or different eight channel ranges.
Two chassis styles are available, the first (BLU-BOB1) is a half rack width, desk or wall mounted version and the second (BLU-BOB2) is a 19" single rack space version with mounting ears for equipment racks. Front panel indication and rear panel connections are identical on both versions.
(Jim Evans)
