Pro audio amp vs. residential amp


My Sim Audio (Celeste) HT-3 has taken a dump, and I can't really afford to ship it out for repairs. What are the communities thoughts on replacing it with a Pro-audio Crown xls1000 amplifier?

Sim audio p-5 pre
Cambridge DAC
Pro-Ject RM5 SE
Vonschweikert VR-4jr
bones45

Showing 3 responses by wolf_garcia

Bryston amps have been raved about among home audio reviewers for years, and might be among the few brands that have successfully hurdled the "pro" vs. "home use" barrier. In recording studio use anyway...not so much in PA systems for various reasons (cost per watt, lack of internal heat dissipation fans, etc.). So, once again, Elizabeth is mistaken, and has given me another opportunity to question her sanity (I kid Lizzy...heh heh).

I know exactly what many Crown amps sound like as I've been using those and other pro amps for decades. All pro amps sound a little different, but I did recently notice when mixing a show using a cheap model of Crowns in a club (with main speakers and a mixer I was familiar with) that this particular version was less refined than other amps I'd used (QSC, older Mackie, etc.). Not much help maybe, but I own some well regarded PA amps that of course will work in a hifi, but have noisy (for home use) little fans and input level pots and stuff you may not want or need in your hifi (the Crown you mentioned is class D so is likely not running hot). Most PA amps lack the subtle tonal refinement evident in well designed home audio gear so you'll have to let your ears decide that one, but note that you could damage your audio geek credibility if you go with the Crown for hifi, so try not to mention it in forums...you've been warned!
I'm not implying that Bryston stuff is universally accepted, or universally deemed unnacceptable, as that would be a condescending statement of the obvious and my audio geek bretheren deserve better. Or do they...hmm...
I would love to see the results of a "blind listening" shoot out between similarly powered high quality pro audio amps and extreme high end amps from somebody like Boulder or Constellation...somebody do this and report back to me.