Yes it is a cleaning brush and it works very well. Is that DC-300 all original, or have you replaced the caps? That's probably what will fail on my IC-150. At 36 years old, it's just a matter of time.
Who No Crown Equipment?
- Thread starter Scorpion8
- Start date
Yes it is a cleaning brush and it works very well. Is that DC-300 all original, or have you replaced the caps? That's probably what will fail on my IC-150. At 36 years old, it's just a matter of time.
It's all original, or so I've been told. It's a DC-300A and is only 25 to 27 years old, so hopefully it's got a few good years before I start replacing stuff.
Is that brush homemade or are they commercially available? How is it mounted?
Is that brush homemade or are they commercially available? How is it mounted?
The brush was bought on Ed Saunders site I think, but I don't see that he sells it anymore. It mounts on a pivot pin which has a height adjustment, and clamps to a small weighted base. It works very well.
Attachments
Crown' s first effort was a reel to reel tape recorder with a patented electronic braking system. They are very desirable today as are Scully and Ampex recorders. Some of the best soundind tapes were mastered on Crown., including
John Lucien's Mind's Eye album from the early 70's. The amps came later beginning with the DC 300 then the D-150 and D60. Mind still work and sound great. A bit edgy on the high end compared to tubes but still very serviceable and durable. Always a welcome addition to my gear. The crown you asked about was not manufactured by the same Co
John Lucien's Mind's Eye album from the early 70's. The amps came later beginning with the DC 300 then the D-150 and D60. Mind still work and sound great. A bit edgy on the high end compared to tubes but still very serviceable and durable. Always a welcome addition to my gear. The crown you asked about was not manufactured by the same Co
jblmar
JBL & marantz
Agree.
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
You've responded to an eight-year-old thread. But that's okay, since it's as timely today as it was then—and I never had the opportunity to post in it!
I'll rectify that now.
When I bought my first new Crown amp 45-years ago, my neighborhood hi-fi shop carried JBL, McIntosh, and other high-line brands. They sold the Crowns right alongside the Macs, offering them as viable alternatives at a lower price and without the "jewelry" aesthetic many preferred for their audio shrine in their living rooms. They offered me the D60, D150, and DC300 to take home and try with my JBL 030 system. I was tired of buying tubes and repairing my Fisher SA1000 power amp and was looking to trade. I loved them all but on a student budget couldn't justify the DC300 and stretched to the D150, but bought the model without the faceplate, going for function over style and saving money. I used a Mac C20 pre-amp and brought the Mac and the Crown to a Mac Clinic at the shop. The Mac techs were very impressed as they graphed the Crown's performance, and then went to work replacing all tubed in my C20 and eventually doing a complete overhaul of its insides so it would meet published specs, all at no charge.
I still own both. The Crown still works as new. It has since been joined by several others amps including several D45, D75A, D150A-II, DC300A-II, PS-200, PS-400, PL3, and one Studio Reference-II. I also own a SL2, PSL2, FM2, FM3, and a couple of VFX2-As. I have never felt I got anything but audiophile quality out of my Crown equipment. My main system uses bi-amped PS200 and PS400 to power my JBL 4345s with their 18-inch woofers. I haven't made a change in that system for about eight-years now, that's how pleased I am with its performance. I recently spent some time listening to $30,000 worth of B&W speakers powered by something like $20k in Classe electronics and never for a minute did I have any desire to "upgrade" much less trade even-up for that system.
As to the previous sports-car-versus-truck analogy: I drive sports cars every day and sell them in my daily job. I know that the essence of a sports car is performance over everything without the need for excess frills or unnecessary aesthetic add-ons. Look at a stock Porsche 911 in today's Porsche showroom. How does it compare to those competing in the Daytona 24-hour this year in appearance and equipment? I just took a 2015 C4S Cab in-trade with 5,000 miles on it. Original sticker was $143,000. The owner traded it (and a 2014 M-B E550) on a BMW M4 Convertible. Which of those is the true sports car? Granted, the race-version M-car is a stripped tube-frame car, too, but what does a 911 look like when it's prepared to perform on the track? Does the track car need the Sports Chrono package to perform on track? Does a Crown PS400 need meters to sound better in my living room? I like the pared-down look of the Crowns, and their performance lacks nothing because of that aesthetic. Forty-five years of Crown in my house, and maybe it's just that synergy with JBL that keeps me happy. I welcome other amps for comparison.
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
Well since this thread was started I have found out the exact date of the FTC Mandated power specifications for 2-channel home stereo equipment, you know the RMS numbers we throw around. That happens to be the exact day I bought my first Crown, a DC-300a, complete with a manual that had lots of graphs that due to the FTC ruling has no data points or lines in the later manuals. Just a statement that disclosure was now not legal. Glad to still have that early manual.
Also since 08 I have added a Crown DC-300a later version with IOCs, a PSA-2 (fewer LED/pro version of the SA-2 Distinction line of home audio gear) and in the last year or so, an SX-724 reel to reel, built Missionary Tough. Yes, the company made their gear to last and be field repairable for use by missionaries around the world. Brutally reliable gear. Great power, clean, clear sound and tape decks that sound most excellent.
Also since 08 I have added a Crown DC-300a later version with IOCs, a PSA-2 (fewer LED/pro version of the SA-2 Distinction line of home audio gear) and in the last year or so, an SX-724 reel to reel, built Missionary Tough. Yes, the company made their gear to last and be field repairable for use by missionaries around the world. Brutally reliable gear. Great power, clean, clear sound and tape decks that sound most excellent.
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
FIFY
Like the amps, the tape machines just need a bit of love to continue to provide excellent sound. I have removed the wet tantalums and other lytics from mine and lubricated the moving parts and all is good.
I have two pieces of Crown gear. I have a Crown Com-Tech 210 power amplifier as well as a Crown D-75A power amplifier. They are both in my stereo system. The CT-210 powers the main speakers and the D-75A powers my headphones. I know, both of these are total overkill for what I'm using them for, however having the headroom is nice in case some loud bass note comes along.
