Crown amps

Ellery911...Your view of pro sound power amps may be a bit out of date...at least for some of them. Digital has changed things, and a digital pro sound amp sounds about like a digital audiophile amp, some of which are well regarded. In my case I have three CarverPro ZR1600 amps which perform superbly with MG1.6 speakers. Lately I have changed to driving the Maggies with Channel Island D-200 monoblocks, not really because of any sound issue but rather because I wanted monoblocks. (Five of them, one at each multisound speaker location). Truth to tell, the CI D200, which has been well reviewed in audiophile circles, is not noticably better than the ZR1600.

I have no experience with the Crown XTI-2000 but it could be the same story.

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.