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Post by boomzilla on Jun 15, 2020 6:01:24 GMT -5
The XLi series are the ONLY Crown power amplifiers without an additional A-D / D-A conversion. I've heard a number of the XLS series Crown amplifiers (that do have those extra conversions) and thought that the sound absolutely sucked eggs compared to, for example, the Emotiva PA-1.
However, having heard how good Class-D amplifiers CAN sound (Thanks, Emotiva PA-1s), and having heard what really, really high bass damping factors can do for bass control (Thanks, Ashly pro amp), I'm curious as to what a "super amp" of Class-D construction might sound like.
The Crown XLi 3500 is affordable, offers 1,350 WPC @ 4 Ohms, and is supposed to have very quiet fans that don't run at all unless the amp gets hot. But for me to be interested, the amp would have to sound not just better, but a LOT better than Crown's XLS series amps.
Has anyone actually HEARD the XLi series amps from Crown? Don't bother recommending boutique brand Class-D amps that are significantly more expensive than the Crown, either - I'm NOT interested.
Thanks - Boom
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Post by garbulky on Jun 15, 2020 10:30:18 GMT -5
Well since i in XLi comes before S in XLS I would assume it sounds worse.  Hehe... |
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Post by dsonyay on Jul 5, 2020 18:38:16 GMT -5
So the XLi line is Class D? I thought they were AB.
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Post by vcautokid on Jul 5, 2020 21:14:54 GMT -5
Gentlemen the XLI are class AB amplifiers, though I like Garbulky's logic. I got a nice chuckle out of that. Going to be different from the PA-1. I heard the XLi Amplifiers for a bit and liked it. But judging from my track record for liking the XLS, take it for what it's worth. Truly what is the object here? We have been down this road before. This power crap is a poison that goes no where if you hate the sound. Are you going to hate the XLI amplifier. Hell I don't know. You could double down on what you really like, the PA-1 and bi amp the T2 if you want and stay with a sound you know and like. Just saying. The power trap is a black hole that will suck you in. Sometimes it's great. Sometimes not really. Never discouraging anyone wanting to change it up. Just looking and understanding the logic. You could run an XLI on the bottoms and the PA-1s on the top so to speak too. Options which is what I think you're after. Though just testing my understanding here. Learn more here. www.crownaudio.com/en/products/xli-3500 |
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Post by boomzilla on Jul 5, 2020 21:41:23 GMT -5
For $179 I can get a 900 watt Crown Class-AB XLi amplifier. It'll be hard NOT to try one eventually (especially with their 2-ohm rating).
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Post by stads77 on Jul 5, 2020 23:00:58 GMT -5
I didn’t think you could use them into 2 ohms. I have used an xli for subwoofer duty and found it had more presence then the xls it replaced, I figured that was the AB adding more impact to the sub, idk...
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Post by gentlejax on Aug 18, 2020 7:34:18 GMT -5
For $179 I can get a 900 watt Crown Class-AB XLi amplifier. It'll be hard NOT to try one eventually (especially with their 2-ohm rating).
yep. had a few of these at different times . cant recall them sounding "bad" but I didnt keep them because I needed the DSP and glad I did as I am switching back to the PT-100 for the 4th time and those dsp in my XTi/ XLS are going to be useful.
but about the XLi ...for the money if one is able to put away their preconceived notions that Pro amps sound like dookie then you would be surprised.
I will never go back to standard "home" amps because they dont have the power pro amps do. ive been using various pro amps for years now and the biggest change has been the source of the signal (the preamp or the ARV or HT processor)..
I couldnt tell you I recall any difference between a vintage Denon amp..or a rebuilt Carver m500t or a sony ES or a yamaha etc etc home amps and any of the crown pro amps I have had. I have tried the QSC amps and something was different there but not sure..thin sounding. ...but my Yamaha PRO amps were fantastic. I run Crowns cause I got them at a really good price or else id be running a Yamaha for my mains. I had a Crown PSA-2 and it was a beast and sounded fantastic.
I know of some fellows who run the XLi on their mains and love them. I personally dont like the look of them but thats about all. I dont like the look of my crown XTi but it puts out some bass on my Ultimax 15 pair..
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Hehe...
