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Post by nova74 on Oct 26, 2015 21:00:50 GMT -5
Hi all. Been reading on the board for a while, first post I believe.
Anyhow, here is my current setup:
Marantz sr5005
Emotiva XPA-200 feeding front Magnepan MMG
Emotiva UPA-2 (1 channel) feeding center Magnepan MMGC
Surrounds: Magnepan MMGW's fed from receiver
Surround Backs: Jamo A330's fed from receiver
Jamo A3sub.3
HTPC connected via HDMI to stream FLAC/DVD-A/SACD stereo and MCH with Foobar2000
PS3 for Bluray/Video Streaming
out to Visio 65" M Series
So I am extremely happy with my setup. However with the first generation Crown Drivecore amps for sale on deep discount right now, I was tempted to try an XLS 1500 just to see what the wattage would do and to try Class D. The only difference from my current setup and what I tried was, replacing the XPA-200 with the XLS 1500. I ran Audyssey and right off the bat noticed the levels for the front were +12dB (maxed out). I raised the levels on the Crown incrementally and kept running Audyssey until the boost was less than +12dB. Turns out the Crown needed turned up to max on each channel...
All the while I was aware of a Hum or buzz that was NEVER there. Everything has been dead quiet up until now, even during quiet passages with the volume quite high. After some research, I believe what I'm experiencing is a ground loop. I've tried unplugging components on the entertainment center one at a time with no luck. I switched back to the XPA-200, and ran Audyssey. Right away I could tell there was no hum.
I did listen for a while to some stereo music with the Crown connected. One thing I noticed right away was the increased wattage. Everything seemed a bit more dynamic. I could not ignore the hum though during quiet parts. This was distracting enough to the point that I cannot tolerate it.
Any ideas? Should I send it back and try another unit? I bought it through Amazon Prime, so I have nothing to lose. If this just isn't going to work for me though, I might as well just send it back and save up for something else.
I was optimistic because I have heard a lot of good things about the Drivecore series for home use.
Any ideas or thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ryan
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hemster
Global Moderator 
Particle Manufacturer
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Post by hemster on Oct 26, 2015 21:12:02 GMT -5
Hey Ryan, Welcome to the nuthouse!  With regards to your issue with ground loop, have a read of the FAQ here: >> linky <<. Try to find out how the hum is getting induced by switching off all gear except the amp. Is the hum present? Turn on each component one by one, noting if the hum is present and see if you can identify the component that causes the interaction with the Crown amp. Of course it could be the amp itself that's the culprit and you may need to use a "cheater plug" ( link) to lift the ground. Are you using any kind of surge protector with your gear? Does the Crown have a 3-prong plug on its power cable? Keep us posted on your progress here. |
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Post by cheapthryl on Oct 26, 2015 21:16:00 GMT -5
I'm thinking that maybe the receiver isn't putting out enough voltage to properly run the crown.
And what ^^^ he said. Welome to the lounge.
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Post by knucklehead on Oct 26, 2015 21:35:14 GMT -5
The Crown amps have a three prong plug.
I'd try the cheater plug first. I own three XLS amps and have nothing but high praise for them. They are an outstanding value - especially so with the $$'s to watts ratio. Where else can you get 525wpc (XLS-1500) into 4ohm loads for $200? You can't! Mine are dead silent at full volume on the 7030 - no signal of course! I'd go deaf instantly if something were playing. IMO anything other than the 1000 models are overkill for 95% of speakers.
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Post by nova74 on Oct 26, 2015 21:54:33 GMT -5
I unplugged everything one by one except for the receiver and still had hum. When I turned that off and just the Crown was powered, no hum.
I was using a power strip. I tried plugging the Crown directly into the wall and no difference. Now, they are for sure on the same circuit...
Should I try a cheater plug?
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Post by nova74 on Oct 26, 2015 22:04:03 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that while everything was on, I was getting hum through the center channel and through the rears as well as the fronts.
Thanks,
Ryan
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hemster
Global Moderator
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Post by hemster on Oct 26, 2015 22:04:46 GMT -5
Ok, so the receiver and the Crown are interacting to induce the hum.
Did you try plugging the receiver directly into a wall outlet and removing the power strip altogether? If after that, the hum persists, your next move would be a cheater plug, first directly plugged into the wall, then later try the power strip.
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Post by nova74 on Oct 26, 2015 22:17:16 GMT -5
I did not try plugging the receiver into the wall.
Unfortunately, I can't experiment tonight. I will try that when I get home from work tomorrow and report back. I'll also try the cheater plug if that doesn't work.
Thanks for the suggestions folks! I was so discouraged tonight. I'm definitely looking forward to trying your suggestions.
Ryan
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hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
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Post by hemster on Oct 26, 2015 22:39:06 GMT -5
I believe your receiver puts out at least 1V pp so that should be sufficient to feed the Crowns. I'm guessing that based on the Marantz 5003SR that I have.
Good luck tomorrow and let us know how you go.
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Post by nova74 on Oct 29, 2015 22:19:04 GMT -5
Hey, sorry for the late response. Got tied up last night and wasn't able to play around...
Thank you for the ideas. Turns out the only thing that worked was the "cheater plug".
I turned everything on and I could tell instantly that it was dead silent! Success!!!
Listening to stereo music now. The dynamics are a revelation. I'll do some critical listening over the next few days, but the Crown is not getting sent back regardless. I want to do some A - B comparisons with the XPA-200. For now, all I can say is WOW!
Thanks again all,
Ryan
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hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
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Post by hemster on Oct 30, 2015 2:22:42 GMT -5
Ryan, glad to hear it's worked out. Now rock on and tell us what you think of your new amps. |
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selkec
Emo VIPs 
SCREW YOU GUYS, IM GOING HOME!!!
Posts: 3,779
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Post by selkec on Oct 31, 2015 18:54:31 GMT -5
Good to hear!!!! I was debating on getting some crown amps since they are great prices and power.... I decided on am xpa5 for simplicity and last time I tried pro amp I got humm and nothing would remove it.
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,230 
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Post by novisnick on Oct 31, 2015 19:03:00 GMT -5
Good to hear!!!! I was debating on getting some crown amps since they are great prices and power.... I decided on am xpa5 for simplicity and last time I tried pro amp I got humm and nothing would remove it. You cant go wrong with the XPA-5, I think every HT system should have at least one!  |
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Post by garbulky on Oct 31, 2015 19:14:20 GMT -5
After comparing some XLS amps, I gotta tell you. AT the start their treble brilliance and "dynamics" were pretty impressive. Ultimately, the treblle brilliance was good because it omitted stuff out. Making the rest of the treble feel really sharp...similar to mp3. It still was good but not accurate. The dynamics were punchy but there was some expense on large tower speakers. Ultimately the emotiva's were more accurate. Though I did notice they did better with a preamp for dynamics...
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Post by nova74 on Nov 5, 2015 18:55:21 GMT -5
Greeting all.
After spending some quality time listening to music and movies, I'm very impressed. So much so, that I ordered 2 more. I've had the second one powering the center off of one channel of one 1500 (Not bridged)and the MMG's powered off the first 1500. Third one showed up tonight, so everything is getting rewired so that a 1500 will be powering each LCR in bridged mono. I know this is total overkill, but for the value I'm thinking now is the time to add some more amps with the anticipation of upgrading to ATMOS when prices come down.
So this was interesting as well: After I switched the center over to one channel of the 1500 and ran Audyssey, the crossover point changed from 200hz to 150 hz. Much more dynamic as well... Another thing I noticed, is I find myself listening to music at higher levels on average. Soundstage is awesome, which is to be expected with Magnepan, but I don't feel I've lost anything in that department over the Emotiva gear. I've heard complaints that the Crowns are shrill on the highs. I have not experienced that at all, and the tweeters on the Maggies are known to be quite revealing.
Only downside is no 12V trigger, but I'm just going to buy a 12V switchable power supply. Call me crazy, but I actually like the looks of them as well. The dancing LED's on the face are pretty cool too, haha (inner child in me?).
Love my Emo gear, but look for a UPA-2 and an XPA-200 up for sale around here soon to leverage more Crown amps.
Thanks again everyone for the help getting everything right.
Ryan Rieke
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Post by nova74 on Nov 5, 2015 21:10:09 GMT -5
So I can't hear much difference between each front Maggie receiving 1500 watt on its own amp vs each speaker fed 525 watt from various Crowns.
Does sound GREAT though.
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Post by MusicHead on Nov 5, 2015 21:13:08 GMT -5
I think Crown should start paying commissions to the forum :-) Lost count of how many members have reported buying one of their XLS Series amp lately.
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Post by pedrocols on Nov 5, 2015 22:19:54 GMT -5
I think Crown should start paying commissions to the forum :-) Lost count of how many members have reported buying one of their XLS Series amp lately. This is just a prelude of Emotiva's class D amps offerings....Marketing 101 at its best...  |
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