Crown amps

I'm going on my experience with their DC300a which by the way was also a touring amp. That is still one of the best amps I ever heard, and I have heard many including some tube amps. The more I look at some of these pro amps the more interesting they become. I live in Orlando and Disney World has an attraction called Philharmagic that is powered by Crown. The sound is absolutely top notch if your sitting in a good spot, four rows off the back wall center it's superb! I really am beginning to feel that these amps are one heck of a buy. Are they the best amp? No, but is the small difference in sound really worth all that money, probably not especially at 52 years old. I'm going to investigate these amps further, but I am finding it harder and harder to look back.

Well...I just said it as I saw it.

My friends store had 2 distinct sections. One that supplied "Pro" audio gear....you know...super huge JBL monitors/Crown Amplifiers/Disco Lighting.

Then...for his consumer stereo stuff...he had JM Lab, Arial, Parasound, Theta etc. so...basically...he was very aware of the differences between pro and home gear.

We never wasted time A/Bing them in his store however I had been to the Clubs where he had sold them their Crown Amplifiers.

They made my ears bleed.

So...with regards to the reviews I read...it was over at Audioreview.com...I picked the 2 amps that had been reviewed the most.

Lets take a look at the one with the most reviews...

the Crown International Studio Reference One...impressive name.

read the 11 reviews...better yet...read the very first review...and then see where the next 9 reviews are sooooooooooo similar to each other...in a damage control sort of way...and the final review...first it was his Rowland amp that blew up on him...later in the review it was his Krell...regardless...just read them...if anything...they are kind of humorous.

Anyhow...do a search of the member systems here for crown. You will see that there are a couple people that use them as subwoofer amps, and the only one in use in an actual stereo as the primary amp refers to it as the "two-buck chuck" amp alternative.

And Eldartford...I just want to let you know that I respect your opinions...and am not bashing carver, CI or digital amps in general as I have not heard enough.

All I did was offer what my FIRST HAND experience was with respect to CROWN AMPLIFIERS.

How about trying a different thead title...one like..."Is there a better way to spend $1000 on an amplifier other than crown?"

Then we'll see what people think.

Also...include all your associated equipment...speakers etc etc...not just amp&pre.

Finally...Is Crown gonna be the next flavor of the day that is targeted towards audiophiles? Is this what this is?

The DC300 was in the first generation of high power transistor amplifiers. For it's time it was a very powerful amp but it is not great sounding compared to today's offering. The IC150 as well as the Phase Linear products are of the same era. These products are 30 years old and while they may have been state of the art at that time, they have been surpassed. I'm not saying that the current pro amps can't perform well in the right system, but the Phase Linears and Crowns from 30 years ago simply can't compete.

>but the Phase Linears and Crowns from 30 years ago simply can't compete<

Amen.

Tony3d, well you did ask the question, so in all honesty the answers are there, but you decide to disagree.. This is fine, your mind is made up, but remember you went on a criticle audio site. Yes the old macro series as stated above I believe was reviewed as one of the best if you had to get into more audiophile world stuff, However it still ran super hot, and sucked juice that would cost a lot more money on the electric bill than some of the newer true home audio designs.. This is your choice.

I had the CE crown, and have used a few others.. Fan noise and absolute liquid sound and balance will not be obtained from a pro amp, that is all.. If you enjoy it for the money than that will be great.. I suggest looking at the QSC brand, they are better and WAY WAY cheaper pro amps for home audiophile use from my understanding.. You can probably get an equal online to what you are looking at for 3 to 400 and really clean your hands of having too much invested.. They might even make a model with all the processor capabilities of the crown you are looking at, I assume you really want the equalizer etc.. built in and that is why the crown XTI is important to your config it seems... Regardless of what a HUGE Theater at disney powered by crown and 10 to 20 times the amount of speakers involved, this is VERY different from the close quarter distortion levels you would obtain from a home environment 2 channel stereo, try it, and see how you like it, but I strongly suggest the QSC route as they are suppose to in general be quiter, cheaper, and run a bit cooler. Good Luck