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Crown XLS 2500 - the best amp value per dollar?

I just purchased a Crown XLS 2500 for $419 with free shipping, available to anyone who does a Google search. The 2500’s are discounted now because Crown is releasing the XLS 2502 very soon and the 2500's will be discontinued. One can pre-order the XLS 2502 for $599.

The XLS 2500 amp is rated at 440w @ 8ohms, 775 @ 4ohms, and 1200w at 2 ohms. I purchased this amp to bi-amp it on the lower end of my Infinity Kappa 9’s and use my Adcom 565SE on the mid-high end. I ordered Y cable connections for the two amps but haven’t received them yet so in the mean time I have been listening to the XLS 2500 powering the Kappa 9’s and I am blown away by how well this amp handles the Kappa 9 speakers.
The Crown XLS is a Class D amp. The sound / value proposition of this amp has to be nothing short of a paradigm shift in amplification value. Will it satisfy the ultra high-end audiophile willing to spend any amount to achieve that final percentage of improvement? I don’t know as I am not one of those. But can someone who is and has listened to both a Crown XLS and a high-end Class A amplifier in their system tell me how much of a difference there really is?
128x1281extreme
1extreme's avatar
1extreme OP
88 posts
 
One correction. Crown calls there amps Class I amps not Class D. Class I is a proprietary patent they hold.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"But can someone who is and has listened to both a Crown XLS and a high-end Class A amplifier in their system tell me how much of a difference there really is?"

A huge difference. I tried a QSC as well. Those amps are perfect if you are building a music/HT system and have a limited budget. You can use them to power your center, surrounds and subs cheaply, so you can put more money into the amp for your front main speakers.
raymonda
847 posts
 
I've been reviewing and writing about the 1500. So far, so good, with the exception of some noise going from consumer to pro. Therefore I bought a Henry HD and hope that this resolves some of the noise when the output gain on the amp is pushed past noon.

However, in spite of this, and as long as I keep it at noon, the amp so very good and is an easy choice for someone that needs amps and watts to drive more difficult speaker loads.
1extreme's avatar
1extreme OP
88 posts
 
Raymonda: I leave both gain dials at 100% because I have a preamp with a volume control and I hear no hum or noise of any kind.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
1extreme, I would also suggest that you try the XLS at various levels of gain. I also found mine to sound best at between noon and 3 o'clock on the dial. Easy enough to play with. And a lower gain setting on the amp gives you a more sensitive volume control on your preamp.

As for the amp itself, as usual there is the matter of system synergy. I compared the XLS 2000 to the much raved-about Hypex nCore DIY Class D amp, and with my power hungry SP Tech Revelation speakers, we preferred the XLS. Though on my buddy's system we preferred the nCore. Again, when comparing the XLS to a Rogue Stereo 90 Super Magnum edition, the XLS won out on the SP Tech speakers, but the Rogue was better on my Von Schweikert VR-4s.

Glad you are also enjoying these amps.
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