Crown XLS 1000 amp?

[ahblaza]

Hello,
I am not familiar with pro amps but just looking around at some pro amps for HT use. I found the Crown XLS 1000 amp 215 watts into 8 Ohms and weighs a little over 11 lbs. Through a price war I can get this amp shipped for $246. It is a class D amp, thus the minuscle weight. I really don't need an amp but would like to have this. Anybody have any experience with this amp? How difficult would it be to integrate into my HT setup? I have an EMO UPA-2, how do you think it would compare to it, almost double the output wattage, it's just the weight and it being pro audio that has me a bit hesitant. Thanks guys for listening.
Best regards, Jeff

 

[motorcityssnake]

Crown XLS

I cant respond about the comparison to the EMO but I hooked up a Crown XLS 402 to my Denon AVR3805 thru the preouts and immediately I could tell there seemed to be a stronger, cleaner signal and sound. Beware of the balanced/non-balanced signal thing. From what I gather the amp wont supply to its fullest extent because of it. I bought a balanced to un-balanced converter from MCM Electronics so I didnt have that problem.

 

[jinjuku]

I have an XLS 402d. SQ wise there is nothing to worry about. The XLS 1000 Drive Core series has RCA in.

You may have to have a fan modification done to quiet it down if the amp is going to share the listening area with you. You won't know till you put it into your environment.

 

[darien87]

I wouldn't let the "pro-amp" thing bother you. Sure they're not as pretty as commercial stuff and they don't have features like auto-on, but I've had 2 pro amps, (both Behringer) and they've been fine.

Remember pro-amps are designed to take a ton of abuse, (working long hours at high volumes in racks with little to no ventilation), so typical HT use is no sweat. Like Jinjuku said though you might need to swap out the fan because pro-amp fans are LOUD.

 

[gmichael]

Ditto on the fan. But pro amps give a lot of bang for the buck.

 

[ahblaza]

I have an XLS 402d. SQ wise there is nothing to worry about. The XLS 1000 Drive Core series has RCA in.

You may have to have a fan modification done to quiet it down if the amp is going to share the listening area with you. You won't know till you put it into your environment.

Thanks for the input, the amp I'm referring to is it the Drive Core series, I noticed that it indeed has RCA inputs, would it be ok to use the RCA's or to get the balanced to unbalanced cable as the OP stated. How difficult would the fan mod be? Thanks again jin.

 

[ahblaza]

Ditto on the fan. But pro amps give a lot of bang for the buck.

It really is incredible that a 11 lb. amp can generate that output wattage, the price of $246 delivered is good for seven days, may get two now since you guys speak highly of these little amps. Thanks for the time.
Jeff

 

[ahblaza]

I wouldn't let the "pro-amp" thing bother you. Sure they're not as pretty as commercial stuff and they don't have features like auto-on, but I've had 2 pro amps, (both Behringer) and they've been fine.

Remember pro-amps are designed to take a ton of abuse, (working long hours at high volumes in racks with little to no ventilation), so typical HT use is no sweat. Like Jinjuku said though you might need to swap out the fan because pro-amp fans are LOUD.

Thanks Darien, I'm no longer hesitent to buy pro gear, it comes with 30 day return, so I really can't go wrong, thanks again.
Jeff

 

[bikdav]

You should be fine. Most pro amps that I've heard have been nothing short of very good to awesomely excellent. The main thing is to make sure that it has the connections that you intend to use. For example, I have a Behringer A500 that I'm using for subwoofer duty and it leaves some 'commercial' power amps behind ..... at least from my standpoint.

 

[jinjuku]

Thanks for the input, the amp I'm referring to is it the Drive Core series, I noticed that it indeed has RCA inputs, would it be ok to use the RCA's or to get the balanced to unbalanced cable as the OP stated. How difficult would the fan mod be? Thanks again jin.

Just use the RCA. With the Drive Core series the fan is temp driven. It may be quiet for your application.

 

[darien87]

Thanks for the input, the amp I'm referring to is it the Drive Core series, I noticed that it indeed has RCA inputs, would it be ok to use the RCA's or to get the balanced to unbalanced cable as the OP stated. How difficult would the fan mod be? Thanks again jin.

I've swapped the fans on both of the Behringer amps that I've had and the entire process takes about 10-20 minutes depending on how careful you want to be. If you are a perfectionist and want to solder your connections and have everything be all pretty it might take you a little longer. I haven't taken apart a Crown amp but it can't be too much different than a Behringer.

I'm sure if you look around the internet you can find someone that's done the fan swap on a Crown. Here's a thread from a guy that did the Behringer one. Can't be too much different than this.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45137&highlight=behringer+fan+mod

 

[GranteedEV]

I don't know about the XLS 1000 but I've heard the XTI1000 has some audible DSP hiss. The XLS may not have any DSP though.

 

[jinjuku]

I don't know about the XLS 1000 but I've heard the XTI1000 has some audible DSP hiss. The XLS may not have any DSP though.

Totally different line up. With the 4000 it is a high negative feed back design and there is hiss. Last time I had hands on the XTI 1K it was fine.

The XLS is supposed to be dead silent. The OP can purchase from a place with a 30 day M.B.G.