My New Toy

VR3
VR3 Posts: 28,791
edited April 2004 in Electronics
Soundcraftsmen PCR-800

205 watts x2 at 8 ohms, 300 watts at 4 ohms.

Some of the largest caps and power supply i have seen. I thought the ones in my Adcom were large. Anyways, here is the soon to be (i hope) SDA amp.
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
Post edited by VR3 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited April 2004
    I've got one of those. It sounds great. Interestingly enough though, mine has the ventilation slots where yours appear to be painted on. I've seen this before though.

    Good snag.
    Make it Funky! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited April 2004
    adcom is bad now, didnt u guys know?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,791
    edited April 2004
    Gut Shot
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited April 2004
    Now it'll never work :D:D .

    Dave
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited April 2004
    I'm taking odds on how long it takes him to fry it:D

    :p
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited April 2004
    Will that be in Minutes, Hours, or Days?



    Originally posted by amulford
    I'm taking odds on how long it takes him to fry it:D

    :p

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    Weren't we recently bashing a guy on ebay for taking pics of his gear on his driveway?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited April 2004
    Well I feel Sid is trying to make his "Pictures" better.

    So I would give him pass on that.

    Originally posted by Shizelbs
    Weren't we recently bashing a guy on ebay for taking pics of his gear on his driveway?

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    Good point.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited April 2004
    what are u gonna do with all that beloved adcom gear of urs?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,791
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
    Anyways, here is the soon to be (i hope) SDA amp.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2004
    The ebay guy was laying vintage, classic speakers on their side on asphault paving...

    Congrats, Sid. Look forward to your review.

    Now what's this about SDA's???
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,791
    edited April 2004
    Hey Tour,
    SDA rig in the making so far --

    Preamp - Yamaha CX-2
    Amp - Soundcraftsmen PCR 800, one or two of them.
    CD Player - Unknown
    Speakers - Polk Audio SDA 1, A B or C.

    I hope to have it complete before the end of the first week of August. (School starts back)

    - Insomnia Sid signing out.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited April 2004
    Wow. Looks like a heavy piece of equipment. If your pre have a second variable pre out you can try bi-amping with the Adcoms on top. That should give the SDA's plenty of power.

    Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited April 2004
    Sid,

    what are the specs on that bad boy anyways? it looks like the darn thing runs on nitro. true big caps. and some heavy duty wiring inside too. ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,791
    edited April 2004
    This amp was well thought out in preserving space, and having a small footprint.
    The power supply and caps are huge. It sounds pretty good for the price.

    Here is where it wasnt well thought out.....

    The Caps and the Power Supply are huge...that is great and all.

    There is NO ventilation other than a hole in the rear and a small hole in the front.

    Common sense says - Heat rises, dosnt expand outwards. (unless I have been taught wrong) This amp gets so hot, so fast - that after 1 or 2 songs on very well mated pair of speakers; that the truclip lights come on. They don't come on for a the first song or so.

    I have two large fans I can put behind it to keep it cool, but this is a major problem. It would be better just to leave the hood off.

    For the 90 shipped I paid, I am keeping it - I can find a use, and I hope fans can solve the heating problem.

    Right now though, the GFA-545 shames it. Greatly.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited April 2004
    Sid,

    What is behind that silver sheet metal in the rear of unit? Is what under a fan? With no holes above the heat sink of the output transistors I would think this had to be a fan.

    BTW love you screen name since you explained it.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,791
    edited April 2004
    There is a fan in the back......

    But it never turns on unless in extreme situations, like going through extreme volumes, long term playing, or overloads, etc.

    Other words, this amp takes about 1.5 seconds to get hot.

    There is no ventilation in the case except through the hole in the back where the fan is, and the hole in the front behind the lifted forward faceplate.

    Very hot amp.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited April 2004
    It this getting so hot it will shut down? Does the fan came on at all?

    Other then that it maybe normal.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited April 2004
    Isn't this the normal listening level for you?

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,791
    edited April 2004
    I have no doubts its running hot is normal....lol

    My beef is....

    It runs so hot, after 2 songs the Truclip lights come on....

    The thing sounds AMAZING, HUGE SOUNDSTAGE........

    I dunno, when I get some SDA's - I'll mess around with it...

    I plan to get some Outlaw Audio Mono Blocks for the SDAs. (If I work alot this summer). That is, if the Soundcraftsmen cant perform. They go pretty cheap on EBay.

    Thanks bout the SN..lol (I've had much weirder names btw...lol)

    I listen on average of 96-98db. The amp is rated for 205 watts into 8 ohms, and 300 into 4 ohms. Pushing the RTi70 at 96-98db, should NOT be the problem. Especially since the 545 can do it and not even squint.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited April 2004
    Try some Armour All;)

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited April 2004
    Try a replacement fan with an external power supply that you can run continuously. Just place it on the opening outside of the amp so you don't have to take out the internal fan.

    Leaving the cover off can be dangerous. If you accidentally touch the leads from the caps even when the amp is off, you're toast. I'm sure one of those caps can hold enough charge to kill a person.

    Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,791
    edited April 2004
    Ah, thanks organ.

    I will try some external fans

    I have some very high powered fans (2 of them), so that should cool it.

    Either way, it would make a killer PC rig amp or something. I will find a use for it.

    An amp to test stuff on, armor-all, shoot BB's at. You know...:D ;) (A joke BTW)

    The amp runs great for about 2 songs, then it goes all to crap......
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,791
    edited April 2004
    Another interesting point...

    At the time I was listening to Vertical Horizon, track 1 or 2.

    And I turn it up to where I usually do, around 96-98db, or atleast with the 545. It sounds great.

    It went through the first song fine.

    Then the second song comes up, and about half way through it starts to roll into the chorus or whatever. The Truclip lights flash one time......

    then it goes on with the song and they flashed more, and more and more....

    so I use the CD Player volume control, turn it down 1db. The Truclip lights stopped flashing. The song went forwards (down to probally 94-95db now.

    About half way through the 3rd song, the truclip lights started flashing again. This is not even loud, or where I wanted it at the time. Very dissapointed in the performance of the 200 watt beast.

    So I figure there was to much heat coming off the Adcoms.

    So I relocated it to the very top of the A/V rack. I replayed the songs, and the same exact thing happened.

    So then I went forth to unplug it entirely and kept it at rest till I needed it again.

    It was like, once it blinked. I could turn it down and it would stop. But then it would blink again later on.

    This makes no sense to me, which makes me believe it is a heat issue. Is there something else it could be?

    Please dont sit here and make comments are armor all and how dumb I am and all that BS. I just want to know what could be wrong with this amp. I would love to use it at what it can do.

    Thanks for all your help.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    If heat is the issue, did you give it a chance to cool down after moving the unit?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ceruleance
    Ceruleance Posts: 991
    edited April 2004
    You might try blasting a fan at it and see if it performs better. make sure the increased dB's are not coming from the fan, though. Are you actually using an SPL meter or guesstimating?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,791
    edited April 2004
    Just going by past measurements on the knob - it has dots, and where I usually tune it to hits around 96-98db. Possibly could have been louder. Not by much.

    By the time I moved the wires out and ran new speaker wire to compensate for the length change, it had cooled all the way off.

    The fans would be used at higher volumes, which then they wouldnt be able to be heard. I will try it out when I need to. Wrong rig right now.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • phoneisbusy
    phoneisbusy Posts: 867
    edited April 2004
    Just from looking at the pictures and your description of the ventilation, it looks like the caps and transformer in the front are really restricting the air flow across the heatsink and out the fan.

    I know this may offend some people but you may want to consider adding additional ventilation holes for it?

    Can you verify that the fan comes on at all? Just wondering if it's defective?

    Good luck

    Dave
    Time is the best teacher. Unfortunately it kills all its students.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited April 2004
    I agree with Dave. That power supply and caps need some air. Install one of your fans to replace the stock one. Find someone who can profesionally cut ventilation holes near the front and bottom of the cover. The fan in the back will drag air from the front. That may be the only way to fix your heat problem unless there's a defective part somewhere inside.

    Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter