An amplifier comprising: a plurality of independent audio output channels, wherein each of the plurality of independent audio output channels includes a respective local, isolated power supply, respective gain control stage (50a, b, c, d), and a respective channel power amplifier; a first set of relays/solid state switches (24a, b, c, d) for isolating the respective channel power amplifier from a respective loudspeaker when a fault is detected; a second set of relays/solid state switches (46a, b, c, d) for coupling together at least two different channel power amplifiers of different ones of the plurality of independent audio output channels as a pair of channel power amplifiers in a parallel channel mode of operation; and a processor configured to detect a fault in the respective channel power amplifier of at least one of the plurality of independent audio output channels and configured, in the parallel channel mode of operation and if one channel power amplifier of the respective pair is in presence of the fault, to disconnect from the respective loudspeaker, by controlling the first set of relays/solid state switches (24a, b, c, d), both the channel power amplifiers of the respective pair and to power down both the channel power amplifiers of the respective pair; the processor further configured to generate gain control signals for each gain control stage (50a, b, c, d), wherein the processor is configured to independently monitor each of the plurality of independent audio output channels to detect a presence of an overload condition or an overdrive condition and, if the presence of the overload condition or the overdrive condition is detected on a respective one of the plurality of independent audio output channels that is still operational, the processor is configured to automatically use the respective gain control stage (50a, b, c, d) of the respective one of the plurality of independent audio output channels to reduce a per channel output load current level of the respective one of the plurality of independent audio output channels in pre-defined steps to an extent required to prevent the overload condition or the overdrive condition; wherein, in the parallel channel mode of operation, the processor is configured to turn back on and connect, by controlling the first set of relay/solid state switches (24a, b, c, d), the respective loudspeaker with the other one channel power amplifier of the respective pair in the presence of the fault of the one channel power amplifier, and the processor is further configured to apply the overload and/or overdrive condition detection to the other one channel power amplifier of the respective pair in the presence of the fault of the one channel power amplifier. a plurality of independent audio output channels, wherein each of the plurality of independent audio output channels includes a respective local, isolated power supply, respective gain control stage (50a, b, c, d), and a respective channel power amplifier; a first set of relays/solid state switches (24a, b, c, d) for isolating the respective channel power amplifier from a respective loudspeaker when a fault is detected; a second set of relays/solid state switches (46a, b, c, d) for coupling together at least two different channel power amplifiers of different ones of the plurality of independent audio output channels as a pair of channel power amplifiers in a parallel channel mode of operation; and a processor configured to detect a fault in the respective channel power amplifier of at least one of the plurality of independent audio output channels and configured, in the parallel channel mode of operation and if one channel power amplifier of the respective pair is in presence of the fault, to disconnect from the respective loudspeaker, by controlling the first set of relays/solid state switches (24a, b, c, d), both the channel power amplifiers of the respective pair and to power down both the channel power amplifiers of the respective pair; the processor further configured to generate gain control signals for each gain control stage (50a, b, c, d), wherein the processor is configured to independently monitor each of the plurality of independent audio output channels to detect a presence of an overload condition or an overdrive condition and, if the presence of the overload condition or the overdrive condition is detected on a respective one of the plurality of independent audio output channels that is still operational, the processor is configured to automatically use the respective gain control stage (50a, b, c, d) of the respective one of the plurality of independent audio output channels to reduce a per channel output load current level of the respective one of the plurality of independent audio output channels in pre-defined steps to an extent required to prevent the overload condition or the overdrive condition; wherein, in the parallel channel mode of operation, the processor is configured to turn back on and connect, by controlling the first set of relay/solid state switches (24a, b, c, d), the respective loudspeaker with the other one channel power amplifier of the respective pair in the presence of the fault of the one channel power amplifier, and the processor is further configured to apply the overload and/or overdrive condition detection to the other one channel power amplifier of the respective pair in the presence of the fault of the one channel power amplifier.