Crown Drivecore XLS1000

Brad Johnson · #1 10-20-2010, 02:56 PM

While considering selling one of my old Yamaha PB-1 preamps (excellent preamp IMO) I tested it out through my Markbass LMII and was pleasantly surprised by what I heard. Definitely a more open sound than I had with the LMII's front end. So that got me thinking...

When I saw the new Crown Drivecore series amps it seemed like time to do an experiment. GC has these for $299 and with a $50 promotion I got it for the unbelievable price of $249 + tax delivered. Ordered it Saturday, got here today.

8.5 lb., ~8" deep, 2 rack spaces. It has a smaller footprint than the PB-1 preamp and is lighter too.

Set it up (almost too easy) with the Yammy pre, ran a single input in and used a banana to connect the speaker, a first series SWR Triad, on the bridged posts. Set the amp from the front panel display to Bridged bypass mode and tried out my blackburst and fretless Brubaker KXB-6's.

Holy ______!

The two things that leapt out at me were the headroom and clarity. It was easy to get way louder then I'll ever need. I set it up with the PB-1 set flat (2-10-2 on the Fender style bass-mids-treble tone stack) and basses set flat. Wow.

It'll be going out on a few gigs immediately (as soon as I find a shallow 3 space rackbag) . Cheesy cell phone pics from the garage:

jnewmark · #2 10-20-2010, 03:05 PM

+1. I have one also and sometimes use the MarkBass F1's preamp, and sometimes my old BBE 383 bass preamp, into my 215/tweet cab, loaded with JBL K140's. Very sweet and more power than I ever would need on most of my gigs.

Passinwind · #3 10-20-2010, 10:01 PM

Very cool Brad. I've had my eye on these and am just waiting for a few more of you guys to complete the beta testing...

Brad Johnson · #4 10-20-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Very cool Brad. I've had my eye on these and am just waiting for a few more of you guys to complete the beta testing...

Normally I'd do the same, Charlie but at this price, what the heck?

I'm doing a jazz trio at the Baltimore Convention Center tomorrow (AER combo time) so Saturday will be my first chance to wring it out.

Passinwind · #5 10-20-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

Normally I'd do the same, Charlie but at this price, what the heck?

I hear ya. That extra 50 bucks off would be a deal-sealer for sure.

Brad Johnson · #6 10-23-2010, 11:19 PM

Didn't get a chance to use it this weekend. I stopped by the Brubaker shop on Friday and for grins brought the amp/preamp along when I dropped off the other Drivecore for a friend. It blew everyone away just running it through a single Schroeder 15. So much so that Kevin asked me if he could use it on his gig that night. I figured that would be an even better test than my gig because he would push it alot harder than I would. He ran two Shcroeder 4ohm cabs, I think a 115 and a 212BMF. Amp in stereo mode (I had run it bridged with the single 4 ohm 15). AFAIK he ran the 115 full range and range the other side through the high pass with the Yamaha's crossover set as low as possible ~100hz). Switching modes is super easy via the front panel.

So how did it go...

He said he wanted it, meaning the XLS1000/ PB-1 combo. It sounded great, thick and punchy. Said that for once he didn't have to think about tone at all. He used it last night and today. Looks like he'll be getting one. And the friend I picked up the other one for just scored a sweet deal on a used SWR Marcus Miller pre (I found it at GC online) so we'll see how well that matches up. The Yamaha kills with it and it couldn't be simpler to use. Heck, I may even biamp again. I got away from seperates mainly because of the weight, particularly a power amp that would do what I needed.. Problem solved.

pedulla-2007 · #7 10-24-2010, 12:12 AM

You're kill'n me Brad, I have been looking for something with a similar footprint to take out my Avalon U5. You may think that I am crazy, but I am perfectly happy with my Sansamp stomp box as a direct box, and did'nt want to spend lot of money as I already have 5 Crown amps. ( my old Crown Power Base, CE, amps weigh a ton). I wonder if the 50.00 off promotional is still running. Great pictures were a nice touch, I am sure that answered many questions for all. Thanks for sharing.

Kwesi · #8 10-24-2010, 12:18 AM

Haha, I'm still thinking about going for this! The only thing stopping me is that fact that I have absolutely no real need for it! I need to find a band, lol.

Quick question about the Yammie though: since you have to go to 10 on mids to make it flat does that mean to only way to boost mid freqs. would be to use the parametric EQ? Just wondering.

Steve · #9 10-24-2010, 12:30 AM

I've got about 50 gigs on a drivecore 1500.

Two thumbs up.

Fuzzbass · #10 10-24-2010, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Very cool Brad. I've had my eye on these and am just waiting for a few more of you guys to complete the beta testing...

Heh. A few months ago I decided to grab an XTi 2000 rather than wait for the XLS series to come out. Once the XLSes have been road tested for awhile I may get the XLS2000... my volume needs can be pretty ridiculous.

I have to say the XLSes look much cooler than the XTi series.

Stinsok · #11 10-24-2010, 06:46 AM

It's time for me to move into the "now" with my PA power amps. I have a couple of older Crest amps that work flawlessly, but the weigh a ton. It's not a good idea for one person to try to move the amp rack around. 7-8lbs vs. 50lbs and better connectivity just makes more sense. Selling those amps will probably net enough to cover most of the costs of 2 new Drivecore amps.

Brad Johnson · #12 10-24-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Haha, I'm still thinking about going for this! The only thing stopping me is that fact that I have absolutely no real need for it! I need to find a band, lol.

Quick question about the Yammie though: since you have to go to 10 on mids to make it flat does that mean to only way to boost mid freqs. would be to use the parametric EQ? Just wondering.

Exactly. And since the Yamaha has a fully parametric section, it's much more flexible than the standard semi parametric amps with that type of EQ usually have.

I can't see a situation where I'd need to boost mids, especially with the basses I use. Cut, maybe... and with it's Q control you can pinpoint the frequency you need, like a notch filter or hit a much wider range around the center frequency. The fact that the parametric cut and boost control doesn't work on this particular piece is a non-issue for me.

BTW I didn't need this amp either, not even close. When I heard what I heard with the PB-1 through the LMII I knew I was hearing something special.

I used the LMII into the Bag End coax stack last night. It killed as usual.

Brad Johnson · #13 10-24-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinsok

It's time for me to move into the "now" with my PA power amps. I have a couple of older Crest amps that work flawlessly, but the weigh a ton. It's not a good idea for one person to try to move the amp rack around. 7-8lbs vs. 50lbs and better connectivity just makes more sense. Selling those amps will probably net enough to cover most of the costs of 2 new Drivecore amps.

Makes sense to me. The ability to do 4 ohms bridged sealed it for me. It'll also do 2 ohms stereo... perfect excuse to vertically stack a group of EA VL110 cabs over a couple of small 15's.

Brad Johnson · #14 10-24-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

Heh. A few months ago I decided to grab an XTi 2000 rather than wait for the XLS series to come out. Once the XLSes have been road tested for awhile I may get the XLS2000... my volume needs can be pretty ridiculous.

I have to say the XLSes look much cooler than the XTi series.

Ken, my garage test told me I could easily achieve massive clean volume running mine bridged. The cabs immediately became the weak link. And I know how Kevin plays, which is why I gave him the amp to test. If it passed his volume needs...

. If you need more volume than Kevin I feel for you.

Brad Johnson · #15 10-24-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedulla-2007

You're kill'n me Brad, I have been looking for something with a similar footprint to take out my Avalon U5. You may think that I am crazy, but I am perfectly happy with my Sansamp stomp box as a direct box, and did'nt want to spend lot of money as I already have 5 Crown amps. ( my old Crown Power Base, CE, amps weigh a ton). I wonder if the 50.00 off promotional is still running. Great pictures were a nice touch, I am sure that answered many questions for all. Thanks for sharing.

That $50 off was GC's "Get off the couch" promotion and it's over as far I know. They have a standard 10% off though which drops it to $270... still very attractive for an amp this versatile. For instance you can biamp with a mono preamp. Just add two cabs (or a biampable one).

bassman10096 · #16 10-24-2010, 09:36 AM

I've been using an XLS 2500 paired with an Eden Navigator as well as putting it to various PA assignments. About 4 months out of the gate, I have nothing but good to say for its performance. It's so light that I've literally had to pull the front cover off the rack to make sure I'm not packing an empty rack case to take to the gig (No kidding, 7 lb is really, really light).

knigel · #17 10-24-2010, 09:51 AM

I've been strongly considering picking one of these up--has anyone tried running one of these with the VT Bass pedal as the preamp? If so, what did you think?

OmeDunk · #18 10-24-2010, 10:08 AM

Also interested in combination with VT!

lo-freq · #19 10-24-2010, 10:12 AM

I really enjoy the tone I get (both solo and in a live band setting) with my PB-1.
It is warm and punchy in a very good way.
I actually run the bass control at just a hair over the '1' on the faceplate and then add just a smidge with my StringRay 5's bass control, but I like my low end to be almost on the lean side so the upper-bass and lower midrange cut-through really well.

I would like to upgrade my power amp (from the Yamaha CP2000) to something lighter.
If I could get an XLS1500 in a one rackspace format, I'd be giddy.

Brad Johnson · #20 10-24-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman10096

I've been using an XLS 2500 paired with an Eden Navigator as well as putting it to various PA assignments. About 4 months out of the gate, I have nothing but good to say for its performance. It's so light that I've literally had to pull the front cover off the rack to make sure I'm not packing an empty rack case to take to the gig (No kidding, 7 lb is really, really light).

We handed my friend's XLS1000 around at the shop... it feels like one of those store mock-ups with no internals.