Help on the Crown XLS Drive Core Series

[highfigh]

Man your right it makes you wonder why more companies don't do this. Well that's a good question for another thread!

If a power amp is used with a preamp from the same company/designer, there's really no reason to have an adjustment for input level because they can match it as well as possible and the truth of the matter- they don't design their equipment to be used with another brand. Pro audio designers understand that their equipment may be mated with other brands- there's no one mixer/processor that will work for all, so the amp needs to work with a wide range. However, some standards exist and there's a difference between pro and consumer audio input/output levels and the way they're stated. Here's a link about signal levels-

https://support.biamp.com/General/Audio/Gain_structure:_input_and_output_levels

Here's a link that goes into detail for level setting-

https://www.rane.com/note135.html

 

[highfigh]

Here's an article from Harman about amplifier power-

https://pro.harman.com/insights/harman-pro/new-insights-into-the-dangers-of-using-power-amplifiers-that-are-too-small/

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Don't remember on top of my head the source, but I remember seeing that comparable QSC pro amps measure much better than Crown Core

 

[Danzilla31]

If a power amp is used with a preamp from the same company/designer, there's really no reason to have an adjustment for input level because they can match it as well as possible and the truth of the matter- they don't design their equipment to be used with another brand. Pro audio designers understand that their equipment may be mated with other brands- there's no one mixer/processor that will work for all, so the amp needs to work with a wide range. However, some standards exist and there's a difference between pro and consumer audio input/output levels and the way they're stated. Here's a link about signal levels-

https://support.biamp.com/General/Audio/Gain_structure:_input_and_output_levels

Here's a link that goes into detail for level setting-

https://www.rane.com/note135.html

Hey thanks for the help and information obviously from the discovery I made last night with your guys help I still have a LOT to learn

 

[Danzilla31]

Don't remember on top of my head the source, but I remember seeing that comparable QSC pro amps measure much better than Crown Core

Yeah I've heard that too dont they cost a little more though? Still a bargain tho and I've heard the same thing

 

[Danzilla31]

If a power amp is used with a preamp from the same company/designer, there's really no reason to have an adjustment for input level because they can match it as well as possible and the truth of the matter- they don't design their equipment to be used with another brand. Pro audio designers understand that their equipment may be mated with other brands- there's no one mixer/processor that will work for all, so the amp needs to work with a wide range. However, some standards exist and there's a difference between pro and consumer audio input/output levels and the way they're stated. Here's a link about signal levels-

https://support.biamp.com/General/Audio/Gain_structure:_input_and_output_levels

Here's a link that goes into detail for level setting-

https://www.rane.com/note135.html

Wow both the articles helped to explain a lot thank you so much for that info. Based on what I read there it's a testament to SVS and RSL's build quality because it's a miracle I didn't blow a single speaker.

Or my room for that matter Lol

I was jacking the gain at the wrong place way to much on the amp and not the reciever.

No wonder everything sounded off all the time. I'm surprised it didn't sound worse

And thank God I didn't blow anything up for real

 

[Danzilla31]

J

Here's an article from Harman about amplifier power-

https://pro.harman.com/insights/harman-pro/new-insights-into-the-dangers-of-using-power-amplifiers-that-are-too-small/

Jeez Louis that one really clears up a lot too. Thank God those amps do have the headroom they did or my fumbling around for sure would have blown something up.

Thank you a lot for the guidance this has been a really cool learning experience and thankfully not an expensive one.

Now I'm starting to see why consumers like these pro amps so much. The numbers may not be that great on measurements? But they give there speakers the correct headroom with all that power. Which plays a bigger part then I realized

Man if only commercial amps could deliver that kind off power and headroom without a budget fit only for a God

With there specs it would be awesome

I just need to win the Damn lottery

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yeah I've heard that too dont they cost a little more though? Still a bargain tho and I've heard the same thing

https://www.amazon.com/QSC-GX3-300-Watt-Power-Amplifier/dp/B0018D63KO/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_267_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=47629QCM97DYN834ZSFY

 

[ryanosaur]

@everettT is using QSC... DCA or DPA??? cinema amps in his rig. As I understand... he is happy. Those do cost a little more.

 

[Danzilla31]

https://www.amazon.com/QSC-GX3-300-Watt-Power-Amplifier/dp/B0018D63KO/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_267_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=47629QCM97DYN834ZSFY

Wow great specs and the price on that is comparable to the 1502! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Danzilla31]

@everettT is using QSC... DCA or DPA??? cinema amps in his rig. As I understand... he is happy. Those do cost a little more.

Yeah did you see that pic of his room in the thread the other day? Sweet setup just sweeeet I think those were QSC

 

[Danzilla31]

Well I'm off to go possibly pick up these golden ears let's see how they match up against the primes now that I have my system set up better.

I'll be off the site for half the day in audio nirvana doing this in home shootout

I'll take pics and set up a thread when I'm done tell you guys what I think and get your observations and perspectives as well.

Thanks for all the help you guys are the best!

 

[ryanosaur]

Yeah did you see that pic of his room in the thread the other day? Sweet setup just sweeeet I think those were QSC

I am supremely stoked for his rig, and his subs-in-the-oven! I wish I might get to feed my ears on that some day!

 

[Danzilla31]

I am supremely stoked for his rig, and his subs-in-the-oven! I wish I might get to feed my ears on that some day!

I know right?!

 

[Danzilla31]

Well that was the quickest shootout in history. After talking to my sales rep and telling him how I felt about the primes now that I'd set them up better we decided it would be better to stay on that route since I'm 2/3 of the way there to set up my system better.

Plus I had drawbacks on golden ear in the fact that the 5's are a good buy but since I want a multipurpose theater some of the rest of there lineup ceiling stuff etc is just crazy expensive that's a lot of cash to replunk down by starting over.

But I did buy an SB 3000 for my bedroom setup I love sealed subs just the main spot is too big. I'll definetly let you guys know how that's going to sound cuz I'll be jamming it all day today!

 

[Danzilla31]

For the record not only is the mids and highs better know that I'm not distorting the sh@!!t out of them but I gotta hand it to SVS. Those things are built like tanks. I bet you several speakers I've owned in the past would have just crawled in a hole somewhere cried pathetically and then died

Those things took it all and are still going strong no worse for wear. Very solid well designed tough as nail speakers

 

[highfigh]

For the record not only is the mids and highs better know that I'm not distorting the sh@!!t out of them but I gotta hand it to SVS. Those things are built like tanks. I bet you several speakers I've owned in the past would have just crawled in a hole somewhere cried pathetically and then died

Those things took it all and are still going strong no worse for wear. Very solid well designed tough as nail speakers

If you didn't crank it too loud and for too long, you probably didn't damage anything.

One thing I would recommend- if you crank it LOUD, don't just turn the system off, turn it down, to let the voice coils cool more slowly. It's not uncommon for the coil and former to warp when cooling occurs unevenly and when that happens, the cone won't move- if it does, it will scrape.That's a sad sound.

Also, read up on 'thermal compression' WRT speakers.

 

[Danzilla31]

If you didn't crank it too loud and for too long, you probably didn't damage anything.

One thing I would recommend- if you crank it LOUD, don't just turn the system off, turn it down, to let the voice coils cool more slowly. It's not uncommon for the coil and former to warp when cooling occurs unevenly and when that happens, the cone won't move- if it does, it will scrape.That's a sad sound.

Also, read up on 'thermal compression' WRT speakers.

Thanks for the advice I'll check it out this evening for sure!

 

[lovinthehd]

Wow great specs and the price on that is comparable to the 1502! Thanks for the heads up!

Pretty sure the fan noise on the QSC GX series is considerable, tho. QSC makes some very good amps, tho. @Verdinut I think was the first one around here to use the DCA series too.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for that! @Irvrobinson I know you've been wanting to see some measurements.

Looks like the Ncore amps are leading the Class D pack at this point and time. Unfortunately the price per watt advantage is lost completely with what's on the market right now.

The Hypex modules would be also be more suitable to a diy project. They're pricier and better spec'd but comparing them audibly, would like to see/hear a comparison....