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Crown Amps part 2

97.100.250.238
Posted on March 1, 2015 at 15:42:48
triode@earthlink.net
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Location: Florida
Joined: June 5, 2013
 Well I ordered an XLS 1500 (how bad can it be at 500/ch at 4 ohms and $335) and it came Friday morning. My first brand new Amp in MANY years. Today. after moving my little VTL 50/50 to the bedroom (those lucky Linn Indexes) I hooked the Crown up and.......SCHIIT IT SOUNDS AWFUL.
I was pissed and was ready to box it back up. I had to go food shopping so I left it on as I left. Well I was shocked what a few hours did. Now it was just harsh and not much bass. It's been 6 hours now and while still no tube amp, I'm getting more impressed. My little MG-1C's are stretching their legs a bit, enjoying some volume levels not head before. I will leave it on tomorrow while at work and not pack I up quite yet. I will add more feelings as I listen more and more. This iv not my main system, but I'm enjoying the experience of a new amp a lot.
So thanks for all the advice !!!

 

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RE: Crown Amps part 2, posted on March 2, 2015 at 12:28:36
Markeneret
Audiophile

Posts: 83
Location: Oregon
Joined: November 2, 2010
 Most new equipment has a breaking-in period. If you can, play a CD on repeat mode for 24 hours or so and see how the amp sounds. If you still notice it changing, leave the CD running for a few more days. It doesn't take a lot of volume.Though unusual, I bought a passive line stage preamp last year that was still breaking in after 6 months. Most equipment takes 1-2 weeks. Usually you'll notice deeper & tighter bass, smoother highs and better imaging.

"I see sound waves"

 

RE: Crown Amps part 2, posted on March 3, 2015 at 17:57:43
russ69
Audiophile

Posts: 951
Joined: December 13, 2009
 If you are playing louder to make it sound better, you are not going to be happy with it in the long run.

 

RE: Crown Amps part 2, posted on March 3, 2015 at 18:16:52
triode@earthlink.net
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Location: Florida
Joined: June 5, 2013
 Well its Tuesday night and I'm shocked at the difference. I some ways, I miss the tubes. But the added headroom is amazing. I have spent most of my life with planars, and limited power, so no ELO or Supertramp was ever close to "realistic levels" Oh a pair of JBL 43110's would have been fun!!
OK, so my MG1c's will never be rock speakers, but they're are a big step closer now. I can switch back to the tubes anytime, but Im more impressed with the Crown than I thought that first day. Next step is to get the vinyl on with my Decca Plum.
And thus summer maybe replace the Martin Logan Sequel's in the living room.
To all the under 40 guys here......keep the old stuff as you but new, even if its just to compare later on.,

 

tubes vs SS, posted on March 3, 2015 at 19:00:15
Bigjimsguitars
Audiophile

Posts: 194
Location: Northern Cal
Joined: January 21, 2015
 I have plenty of headroom with my Audio Research VS110 with my older Magnepan 2.5r's. I've tried many quality ss amps, none produced the imaging and soundstage of tubes. That said, at the end of the day it is the individual listener who is right regarding their preference or presentation they seek.

Jim
ARS VS-110
Customized Bottlehead Foreplay II
Preamp
Totem Arro's
B&W ASW 300 Subs
Ah Tjoeb Tube CD Player
w/Siemens E288CC's


 

RE: Crown Amps part 2, posted on March 4, 2015 at 04:29:26
johnvb
Audiophile

Posts: 495
Joined: October 26, 2011

You can always do some kind of tube stage before the amp. I have found a high gain preamp works best on my 1500s. Which allows a lower gain setting on the Crowns that reduces the bit of hiss you may get from them. I'm at 12 o'clock on the amps, hiss is inaudible > 6" from speakers.

They are said to need at least 200 hours break-in, maybe more. Try using some sort of vibration isolation under them, I use a homegrown recipe of cedar pucks, sticky cork, and Sorbothane Half Hemispheres under mine (see above). If you want to really get tweaky, try mass loading the tops. If you don't like the blue display blaring out at ya, cover it with a 1-5/8" piece of electric tape.

If you do decide to keep the amp, replace the stock binding posts with Pomonas 3770-0/2, it is an easy bolt on replacement and reversible for warranty reasons.

Leave the amp on 24 / 7. It pulls very little current on standby so no biggie. The amps supposedly benefit from a power cord upgrade, I haven't gone there yet.

 

RE: Crown Amps part 2, posted on March 6, 2015 at 16:26:04
john65b
Audiophile

Posts: 326
Location: Chicago
Joined: July 19, 2005
 I read that the XLS Drivecores to go after were the XLS2000 and XLS2500. I have the XLS2000 and like it (only heard it on my Acoustat ESLs so far) -- just need more time to decide if it really is a keeper, and gets Pole Position in the in my main system...currently "owned" by my ICEPower 1000ASP based DIY amps.

DIY Aikido 6DJ8/6H30
DIY 2x ICEPower 1000ASP and 2x ICEPower 500A Amp for Biamping
Magnepan MG20.1
DIY Wolfson 8741 and Philips TDA1541A DACs
VPI HW-19 w Linn Basic/ Shure V15 III
Musical Fidelity X-LPS (12AX7 Tube Based phonostage being built now)
Computer Based Digital Source
I VOID WARRANTIES

 

RE: Crown Amps part 2, posted on March 6, 2015 at 16:48:50
johnvb
Audiophile

Posts: 495
Joined: October 26, 2011
 The XLS1000 model has a worst SNR. The 1500, 2000, and 2500 have the same better SNR. AFAIK, that and wattage is the only differences. Thinking the 2000 and 2500 may be in a bigger chassis?

 

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