How to Auto On/Off Crown Amps

[wiredsol]

I am using two Crown amps to power my whole house audio distribution. They have many excellent traits. One feature I wish they had was signal sensing auto on/off. The primary signal source is a Logitech Squeezebox Duet which does not feature a 12v trigger output and is always online anyway. Is anyone familiar with any power strip or adapter that will auto on/off with line level signal? Sonos Connect does not feature a 12v trigger either. Any help will be appreciated, Happy New Year.

 

[KEW]

It doesn't use a line level signal, but I have had success using these with subs that did not auto on-off well:
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-GreenPower-Digital-PowerCenter-MDP/dp/B001LK6ZDE/ref=pd_sim_23_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Z9Oqtx+EL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=14BX841WGK1DJN91GDPG

It has a master outlet which acts as the controller. If the master outlet draws current, the 4 slave outlets become energized. There is a 5th outlet labeled modem which is always on (independent of the master-slave system).

for a few more dollars, you can get it in black as rebadged for HP.

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-HDP-650G-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B002RL9XQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451145859&sr=8-1&keywords=HP+auto+on+power+strip

Monster stuff is usually rip-offs, but at 60% + discount, it works out pretty well!

I don't know which amps you have, but there are higher powered versions of this.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

As far as I can tell there is no such device on the market. You’ll have to figure out a way to integrate a component that will provide the 12-volt switching (probably a standard A/V receiver) for something like a Panamax.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

The problem I have with the Monster device is that it’s designed for low-current peripherals, not things like amplifiers. However, since the amps appear to be used in a low-demand installation, it may work okay.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It doesn't use a line level signal, but I have had success using these with subs that did not auto on-off well:
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-GreenPower-Digital-PowerCenter-MDP/dp/B001LK6ZDE/ref=pd_sim_23_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Z9Oqtx+EL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=14BX841WGK1DJN91GDPG

It has a master outlet which acts as the controller. If the master outlet draws current, the 4 slave outlets become energized. There is a 5th outlet labeled modem which is always on (independent of the master-slave system).

for a few more dollars, you can get it in black as rebadged for HP.

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-HDP-650G-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B002RL9XQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451145859&sr=8-1&keywords=HP+auto+on+power+strip

Monster stuff is usually rip-offs, but at 60% + discount, it works out pretty well!

I don't know which amps you have, but there are higher powered versions of this.

I own a similar controller power strip (mine is made by SmartStrip) but it won't work here as OP stated than his Logitech Squeezebox Duet is always online. These things sensor power usage differences to do their "magic". I use my PC as controller and it controls the power to my monitors (screens and speakers) each powered separately

 

[Adam]

If a sensing power strip like that would work for the OP (but I'm not sure it will given that the Squeezebox is always on), but the strip doesn't provide enough current for the Crowns, then the strip could be combined with 12V DC converters that would be used for the 12V triggers on the Crowns (if they have those). Just a thought. I ran a 12V DC transformer for quite a while to use as a 12V trigger, with it plugged into the AC outlet on the back of my receiver that didn't have trigger outputs.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I know Panamax makes power strips that trigger with 12-volt, so Adam’s suggestion would work (again, if the Monster itself can be triggered).

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[slipperybidness]

I'm not certain if this would do what you need or not. I would say to download the manual and read it and see what you think.

It is intended to take a speaker output and drop it to line level for adding onto OEM car stereos, but it also has a 12V trigger output for turning on amps. If that trigger is activated by the speaker level input, then it might do what you need. But, I think you would also need to buy a wall wart and wire it into this unit to get the DC input voltage to run the thing.

You didn't mention what model Crowns you are using, do they even have 12V triggers?

http://www.parts-express.com/axxess-ax-adct2-2-ch-80w-speaker-to-line-level-output-converter-w-trigger--266-005

 

[wiredsol]

The XLS series do not feature 12v triggers. So far the only solution I can think of is purchasing a Network controlled PDU. It's another step but will allow me to on/off the amplifiers.

 

[Adam]

Just curious - why don't you like having them on all of the time? Do the fans run while they are idle? I thought that those would dissipate pretty low power in the idle state, but I don't actually know.

I have amps and powered subs that use line level sensors, and I don't ever use those because the amps will switch off if the signal goes too low, then it takes some amount of time for them to switch back on again once the signal increases. So, if you are listening to music or watching a movie with quiet passages, you might find that such a solution will shut down the amps, and then you'll miss the first portion of the audio when the volume increases in the music/movie. It's just a note about those types of sensors. It would be nice if you could find one with a timer setting to indicate how long to stay powered up after the signal drops.

 

[wiredsol]

Fans running.