Crown Amps, the hype is real!
- Thread starter lattiboy
- Start date
PPstereo
Super Member
Hope it is in fact 120v
I thought it was sorta odd
BTW -- In my judgement the XLi is an 'old fashion' amp. If thats good or bad , dunno
I was also pleasantly surprised to see crown and a few other pro makers still offering an old school topology amp.
I completely understand with the pro market the desire and need for an old lead sled is comparatively small but for certain applications they have their place.
And for the equally small consumer market for these types of pro amps it's at least nice to see the option is there.
I'm still jacked I snagged a stone mint usa made Crest ca9 for $50 at a local thrift. Build quality like that for $50 is a rare find.
HTWillie
Super Member
Several years ago I got a D150 II-A for $100 because I wanted an ugly beater of a workhorse that I could abuse and not care about too much. Moving into my new place last summer I put it into the main living room system and listened to it regularly for a change.
A few weeks ago I was convinced it was failing so I dropped my "nice" ADCOM 545. What a letdown! The lower powered Crown just sounds so much more alive!
Turns out the Crown is just fine - it was a preamp problem.
A few weeks ago I was convinced it was failing so I dropped my "nice" ADCOM 545. What a letdown! The lower powered Crown just sounds so much more alive!
Turns out the Crown is just fine - it was a preamp problem.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I like the Crown amps but only for subwoofer duty.
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
For years I used Crown D150A-II and DC300A-II in my bi-amp system only within the past few years replacing them with the PS200 and PS400. I've owned my first Crown (D150 without optional faceplate) for 50-years.
SWL3600
Super Member
I've got two.
Coytee, have you ever had any issues with yours? Ever send one in to Crown for a service?
One of mine a few months ago was making strange sounds in the left channel. I never got around to investigating....just been using my other K2 since then. It might not even be the amp but got me to thinking about Crown service.....where are they even located etc.
Thud3
Active Member
I bought two PS-200 power amps back in 1982. I am still using them as my “driven daily “ units.
In 1983, had to send one of them to Crown (Elkhart, Indiana, back then). They replaced a filter capacitor; that cost me labor and shipping both ways. But, I have had no problems since then.
I can’t speak as to their more recent equipment or service.
37 years of service and counting. Good stuff.
Regarding the “sound”, I get it that each piece of equipment will add its own “color” to the audio picture, and that each listener will have their own opinions and perceptions about “better or worse “.
But it seems to me that a power amp is GOOD if it delivers distortion-free power up to its specified limit. Of course, we expect a mostly flat frequency response, but the source signal almost certainly has been adulterated prior to reaching the input of the power amp, so I put less emphasis on FR.
Others will have different views, but I use an equalizer to “trim” the overall system sound to my ear’s satisfaction. It’s my stereo, after all.
In 1983, had to send one of them to Crown (Elkhart, Indiana, back then). They replaced a filter capacitor; that cost me labor and shipping both ways. But, I have had no problems since then.
I can’t speak as to their more recent equipment or service.
37 years of service and counting. Good stuff.
Regarding the “sound”, I get it that each piece of equipment will add its own “color” to the audio picture, and that each listener will have their own opinions and perceptions about “better or worse “.
But it seems to me that a power amp is GOOD if it delivers distortion-free power up to its specified limit. Of course, we expect a mostly flat frequency response, but the source signal almost certainly has been adulterated prior to reaching the input of the power amp, so I put less emphasis on FR.
Others will have different views, but I use an equalizer to “trim” the overall system sound to my ear’s satisfaction. It’s my stereo, after all.
Coytee
Super Member
I've got two.
Coytee, have you ever had any issues with yours? Ever send one in to Crown for a service?
One of mine a few months ago was making strange sounds in the left channel. I never got around to investigating....just been using my other K2 since then. It might not even be the amp but got me to thinking about Crown service.....where are they even located etc.
(knocking on wood).... nothing much so far.
I DID have some scratchy pots on the front so I dug into there a bit (being reeeeeeeealy careful not to turn myself into a ground)....
Attacked each of them with some DeOxit cleaner (my first time ever using it) and then the DeOxit cleaner/lub.... not had a bit of trouble since.
Other than that, they've been plug & go.
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
Try these guys: https://crownservice.aetechron.com/
daviddi922
Active Member
So I ordered one of the XLI1500s on amazon while on sale. Turns out they send you a 120V version since I ordered in the US. Just got it hooked up yesterday and will be "breaking it in" for a bit.
Whats the best way to set the gains? I am using my Denon avr as my preout and using this crown amp for my L&R.
I was thinking setting the Denon to 0DB on the volume knob, then slowly turn the gains up on the crown until the max volume I want to hear at that level is.
Or should I use the pink noise method and set 0db to 85db and adjust the gain that way?
I am used to using integrated amps.
Whats the best way to set the gains? I am using my Denon avr as my preout and using this crown amp for my L&R.
I was thinking setting the Denon to 0DB on the volume knob, then slowly turn the gains up on the crown until the max volume I want to hear at that level is.
Or should I use the pink noise method and set 0db to 85db and adjust the gain that way?
I am used to using integrated amps.
whoaru99
Epic Member
@daviddi922
With an AVR I would use the calibration method. Set the Crown gains half way then run the cal procedure. After the cal, check what the front channel trim levels are in the AVR. If they are, say, within -3dB to +3dB I'd call it good.
If they are out of that range then I would turn up or turn down the gains on the Crown and repeat the cal. I would repeat until the front trims end up within the range -3dB to +3dB. If there is variance between the left and right, which there could be, I would let the AVR make up the difference in the channel trims and have the gains of the Crown set to the same level.
That said, as long as the channel trims are not maxed out at either end it should be fine but I like mine sorta in the middle.
Bear in mind, when using an AVR and calibrated levels, -50dB or -10dB or whatever is going to be same volume regardless of the amplifier wattage. The difference will be at the point and beyond where the AVR amplifiers were running out of steam but the more powerful Crown can keep going.
With an AVR I would use the calibration method. Set the Crown gains half way then run the cal procedure. After the cal, check what the front channel trim levels are in the AVR. If they are, say, within -3dB to +3dB I'd call it good.
If they are out of that range then I would turn up or turn down the gains on the Crown and repeat the cal. I would repeat until the front trims end up within the range -3dB to +3dB. If there is variance between the left and right, which there could be, I would let the AVR make up the difference in the channel trims and have the gains of the Crown set to the same level.
That said, as long as the channel trims are not maxed out at either end it should be fine but I like mine sorta in the middle.
Bear in mind, when using an AVR and calibrated levels, -50dB or -10dB or whatever is going to be same volume regardless of the amplifier wattage. The difference will be at the point and beyond where the AVR amplifiers were running out of steam but the more powerful Crown can keep going.
daviddi922
Active Member
Okay sounds good. I will have to find my little calibration mic.
So if I understand correctly. Lets say the avr is 100wpc, -50db to ~ -10db is all going to sound the same with the crown as it did with the avr powering it until I get to the point where the avr is out of power and the crown amp has more, from ~ -10db to 0db or maybe even slightly higher, the crown will keep putting out more clean power instead of distortion?
Should this xli1500 sound better than the Denon avr? It is a slightly older model now, the AVR-2807 which I believe is 110wpc @ 8 ohms.
TIA!
whoaru99
Epic Member
Yeah, I just picked some numbers for example. Where the "break point" is for your system I can't say.
It's possible the Crown could sound better below the "break point" but that depends too. The more difficult load your speakers are the more that's likely to be the case. As well, some report hearing differences amongst just about any amp. Me, not so much. Sure, in some cases, but not as much as I often read about.
It's possible the Crown could sound better below the "break point" but that depends too. The more difficult load your speakers are the more that's likely to be the case. As well, some report hearing differences amongst just about any amp. Me, not so much. Sure, in some cases, but not as much as I often read about.
daviddi922
Active Member
Yeah exactly, I was just making figures to understand correctly.
The speakers are Mission 780 Argonaut mkIIs that are 4ohm and recommended up to 200wpc continuous. So the avr probably will be limited to what it can put out since I only see figures for 8 and 6 ohm and it doesn't even recommend 4 ohm loads but I haven't had any issues.
The speakers are Mission 780 Argonaut mkIIs that are 4ohm and recommended up to 200wpc continuous. So the avr probably will be limited to what it can put out since I only see figures for 8 and 6 ohm and it doesn't even recommend 4 ohm loads but I haven't had any issues.
imral3
Enjoy the musics!!
Wow, going from an AVR that's "not supposed to be used" to an amp with 450w x2 @ 4ohms. Nice!Yeah exactly, I was just making figures to understand correctly.
The speakers are Mission 780 Argonaut mkIIs that are 4ohm and recommended up to 200wpc continuous. So the avr probably will be limited to what it can put out since I only see figures for 8 and 6 ohm and it doesn't even recommend 4 ohm loads but I haven't had any issues.
Hopefully your speakers and ears will be happy!daviddi922
Active Member
I am hoping that will be the case! My entire life growing up I basically only listened to a Sansui AU-717 which I still have, so that is my control when it comes to testing amps.
zappafan2
Well-Known Member
I am using a 717 as a deadicated pre with my crown, it blows away my recapped Kenwood c2 and my system is just sounding amazing to my ears in my room.
whoaru99
Epic Member
Yeah exactly, I was just making figures to understand correctly.
The speakers are Mission 780 Argonaut mkIIs that are 4ohm and recommended up to 200wpc continuous. So the avr probably will be limited to what it can put out since I only see figures for 8 and 6 ohm and it doesn't even recommend 4 ohm loads but I haven't had any issues.
Most of them will run 4 ohms just fine as long as they have good ventilation.
daviddi922
Active Member
That's awesome! I thought about it but I use it for my 2 channel setup.