Crown Macro-Tech Amplifiers

Serendipity
Serendipity Posts: 6,975
edited April 2007 in Electronics
Hi,

Anybody use Crown amps for either HT use or to power a subwoofer?

I know Sid has an XTi1000 and from what I hear, it's a good amp. Does anybody here know anything about the Crown Macro-Tech series?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    Crown is solid.

    Looks like a nice cut and dry amp - no real bells and whistles.

    Cool compression freature built in. Can't go wrong either - buy it new and you get that 3 year replacement warranty.

    I can order that for you, FWIW - would be MAP + shipping. :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Thanks for the offer. I heard that you can get a discount on Crown products though?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    I can get a discount for Crown products for my personal use. If I were to give you a discount on a Crown product, I would get fired... ;)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Sorry, I didn't know that.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Also, does that mean that you can't even sell your personal XTi 1000?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    I could - but I wouldnt have a purpose to.. since I need it.

    Buying four XTi1000s would be pretty suspicious.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    You must be a mind reader. How did you know I need 4 XTi1000's?

    All kidding aside, I do need a few XTi1000's by October, no later than the end of November/December 1st.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Actually I would like to try one out just to see how it works in my application and then order 3 more, if that is possible from you?

    The local musical instrument stores in my area all have Crown XTi series in stock too.

    Anyways I will let you know the details but... most likely I'll order an XTi1000(s) from you sometime late summer.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    Let me know, we have quite a few in stock. They are rock solid amps.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Sure. Now I just noticed that the XTi1000 has XLR inputs, that is a problem. My main source will be from RCA outputs.

    Looks like I need a different amp like the Pyramid PA1000X or QSC RMX850.

    The Crown won't work for me.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    you can get cables made - XLR to RCA ;)

    I had them made for my setup.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Thanks. So that would work then...

    If I am interested, do you also sell the QSC RMX850 as I would like to get one for a whole-house audio system.

    Or would a Crown XTi1000 be better suited for this purpose too?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    I think we can get QSC.

    But the XTi series is so sweet in all that it can do. Awesome lil amp.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Sure, I can see from your experience that it is an awesome amp.

    The only thing I do not like about is the weight - why is it so light? Makes me feel like I am buying a receiver...the XTi1000 weighs less than my receiver (36lbs)...
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    Its a different design.

    Digital amp = loads of power, light weight, cool operation, very clean...

    Doesnt need all the heavy stuff of sand amps.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    From an electrical engineering standpoint, digital amplifiers have many advantages over analog, but there are a few tradeoffs. (Right now I am taking a course on digital circuit design)

    Anyways, looks like I will want an XTi for my whole-house music system. And 4 others for the PA system I will be installing.

    Too bad the Crown does not have A/B speaker outputs. And I would like to have a 12 volt trigger to turn on/off the amp from an external relay attached to a computer's serial port...

    is there ANY HARM in leaving the amp on 24/7?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    Nope, leave mine on all the time.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Doesn't that waste LOADS of power?

    I would be annoyed by the fan sound too.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    The fan only comes on with demanding applications (in excess of 90db...)

    Amps dont use alot of power in idle, unless you have a monster.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Wow. I never listen in excess of 75db, nowhere near 90db.

    Was just researching Behringer amplifiers and they seem to offer much more "bang for the buck" over Crown. I don't remember correctly , but do you sell Behringer too?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited April 2007
    Behringers sound like butt.

    Fans are incredibly loud.

    But yes, we do sell them.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Then I would stay away. I need 100% reliability.

    Since I am very busy with school I will not be able to tend to the amps if anything goes wrong; I demand reliability. The only time I will be able to look at the setup is when I am on break (like now)...

    P.S. Are you currently on spring break? Some of my friends in HS don't have break (too bad for them)
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited April 2007
    Trey,

    Will need an XTi1000 a bit earlier than I thought...no later than October.

    Is this possible? E-mail me to discuss the details.

    Anyways, thanks for all your help!
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