soundcraftsmen pcr 800

POLKHT
POLKHT Posts: 138
edited December 2009 in Electronics
A friend of mine just picked up a soundcraftsmen pcr 800. Was wondering if there are any thoughts on this amp? Is it any good? He also has a Marantz SR-19 and was wondering would he gain anything by using this amp and the SR-19 as a pre. Or would it be the same as using the power from the receiver.

Thanks
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,935
    edited July 2005
    It has a very loud fan. (see below at its massiveness)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    Soundcraftsmen amps are workhorses. They'll drive just about anything, without strain. They have a very warm sound quality to them that cures alot of "digital harshness." It'll probably still be running when you an I are both in the "oxygen free" zone....

    I owned 2 PM-840's for 16 years of flawless operation---they were both later sold to folk's on this board. The PCR-800 is very similar to the PM-840, but I think the PCR uses 1/4" phono jacks right?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2005
    They are VERY good amps given the price. Not top of the line but very good. I found mine slightly more noisy than its big brothers but nothing to really speak of. Real work horses. It will have a better output than any of the receivers out there.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,935
    edited July 2005
    Mine had a ton of problems. Mainly because the fan probally hadnt worked in years before I fixed it.

    When it wasnt over-heating and shutting down, it had a very nice and smooth sound.

    Dosnt change the fact that quiet passages in music were no longer quiet. That fan, at higher volumes is freaking LOUD. I'm talking in excess of 60-70 db. Wowzers...

    What is so wrong with effing vents?

    PCR 800 fan -
    nybimg03.jpg
    nybimg04.jpg
    nybimg06.jpg
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited July 2005
    So Sid, what are you trying to say?;) :D
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by ND13
    So Sid, what are you trying to say?;) :D

    Apeerantly that he doesn't like big fans...
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • BrentMcGhee
    BrentMcGhee Posts: 548
    edited July 2005
    Good GOD!! that thing is ginormous! does the fan really produce up to 70db of noise at louder passages though :(
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,935
    edited July 2005
    Its pretty good when its down low, or not playing any music (which the fan still runs btw - even with nothing is on). The thing cranks it out like 24/7. But once you cross the relm of about..... 90db - that thing is wailing like a tornado.

    Wanna talk about ruining songs where the instruments stop and the singer kicks in, vice versa. That lil puppy can do it!

    nyb_ah2.jpg
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2005
    Sid,
    So you're saying it has a fan in it? Mine was fairly quiet. Are you sure the vacuum cleaner wasn't on or something?
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,935
    edited July 2005
    It was very loud.

    The thing has one vent, in the very front.... and the fan fires out the back so it draws the air out of the amp. So, we must ask ourselves - how much is this vent in the FRONT doing when the air is being drawn to the back by a windmill of death?

    I'd also like to note that my Adcom GFA-545 kicked its ****$.

    Also would like to note mine had some issues... ran very hot and shut down... ugh

    ilg_ubc.jpg

    ^^ That is a COOL looking fan. Lethal looking almost.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited July 2005
    So Sid, what are trying to tell us?:D
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2005
    From what I can gather the unit may have a fan in it. :confused:
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,935
    edited July 2005
    A *loud* fan! ;)

    But in all seriousness...

    My unit gave me alot of problems and may have been defective. I'm sure it p\/\/n3D and all that when it runs properly. Just make sure to check that that fan is operating!

    It had a very smooth sound.

    One last fan picture...

    acimg08.jpg
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    I could not hear my PM-840 fans, at all. Sounds like YOUR amp had been bypassed somehow to have the fans on high constantly. The fans are varible speed, and only speed up when needed---which is rarely in an amp that doesn't have another problem.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
    p\/\/n3D

    :confused::confused::confused:
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,935
    edited July 2005
    Sounds like YOUR amp had been bypassed somehow to have the fans on high constantly. The fans are varible speed, and only speed up when needed---which is rarely in an amp that doesn't have another problem.
    My unit gave me alot of problems and may have been defective. I'm sure it p\/\/n3D and all that when it runs properly. Just make sure to check that that fan is operating!
    Also would like to note mine had some issues... ran very hot and shut down... ugh
    Mine had a ton of problems. Mainly because the fan probally hadnt worked in years before I fixed it.
    When it wasnt over-heating and shutting down, it had a very nice and smooth sound.
    p\/\/n3D

    Owned.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    Ahhh, I see. Your amp had serious issues, so all Soundcraftsmen PCR's are dogs.

    I get it.

    Drop and give me 50, crotch rot. :D
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,935
    edited July 2005
    Now see....

    I never really said they are bad.

    I said they have a fan, that could potentially be loud.

    Which, in my case - it was VERY loud at higher volumes. As I said...

    At lower volumes, for me, it worked like a charm.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    http://cgi.ebay.com/SOUNDCRAFTSMEN-MODEL-A5002-CLASS-H-AMPLIFIER-250WPC_W0QQitemZ5793293362QQcategoryZ39783QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    Now THERE you go. Last amp you'll ever need.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited July 2005
    Link not working steve.....
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    damn...it's a Soundcraftsmen A5002 amp. In VERY GOOD condition.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005

    Search "Soundcraftsmen" under consumer electronics
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,935
    edited July 2005
    I was pretty impressed with the Class H (?) series amp I heard. Model number slips my mind.

    But it had DUAL loud fans...

    *save me*

    I know what amp you are talking about though, it has no fans and it looks killer.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited July 2005
    Oh I see, the amp has a fan in it that's sorta loud.;) :p







    Guys and gals, ya'll have a nice weekend.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2005
    Sid,
    You should get a big fan and put on your current amplifier to make sure it stays cool like the Soundcraftsmen.

    I still don't know what the p\/\/n3D means.

    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,935
    edited July 2005
    P\/\/n3D = OWNED

    My current amp dosnt run hot! The back left corner of my amp runs mediocre warm. The right side is a freezer.

    It dont need no effing fans...

    Effing Soundcraftsmen... no vents - :o
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited July 2005
    I've got a pair of the PCR-800s. 600w/ch in bridged mono. I have 2 different models, one fan is louder than the other, but neither one is offensive.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited July 2005
    They look cool, but also very aged... thier are plenty of newer amps that will last as long or longer for around the same price. IMO with amps that old you are asking for a problem to arise that may not be able to be fixed.. I love vintage stuff and tubes but some of that old SS gear scares me :)
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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  • POLKHT
    POLKHT Posts: 138
    edited July 2005
    Thanks for the feedback. It seems this is a decent amp other than mayba a loud fan and its age.

    Will using this amp be better than using the power from the Marantz SR-19.
    Will the amp sound better than the Marantz?
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2005
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:
    P\/\/n3D = OWNED


    Why?
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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