My Crown XLS 1000 is in!!

[rpsands]

People are always really shy about turning up the master volume on their power amps...it's not an output limiter, it's an input attenuator. There's a functional difference.

For a pre power rig:

Set the gain on the preamp so that you like the sound, then turn the power amp input attenuator to taste, without hesitating to turn it allllll the way up. If you're still not clipping, feel free to add more master volume at the preamp.

 

[CharlieC]

People are always really shy about turning up the master volume on their power amps...it's not an output limiter, it's an input attenuator. There's a functional difference.

For a pre power rig:

Set the gain on the preamp so that you like the sound, then turn the power amp input attenuator to taste, without hesitating to turn it allllll the way up. If you're still not clipping, feel free to add more master volume at the preamp.

Excellent clarification and it was through that same process how I ended-up with my power amp's master volume on maximum.

It may also be worth noting that the level of preamp volume prior to attenuating the power amp input to taste should be one that provides a healthy signal-to-noise ratio for preamp operation. (i.e. half-way or better, depending on your preamp)

Cheers!

 

[jnewmark]

Thanks for the info. Even doing all that, the Crown is only blinking one or two little led's and it's really loud !

 

[steveksux]

When in Bridge-Mono mode, the Crown's Ch-1 input level should be set at Maximum and your preamp's master volume should control the overall volume of your rig. !

Actually, no... What, do you think the power amp can only put out half it's rated power with the volume knob at 50%???

No reason in the world to run the crown all the way up unless the preamp is having trouble driving it. Just asking for a poor signal to noise ratio. You could be running the preamp way under its max output, making it hiss like a scalded cat, and feeding that into your power amp. Nonsense.

Its the same way you set levels in ANY signal chain. Make sure each stage is getting maximum levels without clipping, start from the input gain, through the output gain, then last, turn up the power amp only loud enough to get the necessary volume. If the preamp has low output, no harm in turning up the power amp all the way in that case, but only in that case. Starting with power amp maxed out is totally the wrong approach, starting from the wrong end of the signal chain.

Randy

 

[CharlieC]

Actually, no... What, do you think the power amp can only put out half it's rated power with the volume knob at 50%???

No reason in the world to run the crown all the way up unless the preamp is having trouble driving it. Just asking for a poor signal to noise ratio. You could be running the preamp way under its max output, making it hiss like a scalded cat, and feeding that into your power amp. Nonsense.

Its the same way you set levels in ANY signal chain. Make sure each stage is getting maximum levels without clipping, start from the input gain, through the output gain, then last, turn up the power amp only loud enough to get the necessary volume. If the preamp has low output, no harm in turning up the power amp all the way in that case, but only in that case. Starting with power amp maxed out is totally the wrong approach, starting from the wrong end of the signal chain.

Randy

Thanks for thinking of me, Randy

Please see my post #62 above for more clarification of how exactly I got to having my amp's input on max. That was done after first getting a good, near-unity, out from the preamp and then needing the amp's in to do the rest for me. I think know a little more than the credit I earned from making that initial short-cut statement without explaining how I got there

 

[genstormbringer]

Thanks to all for the guidance...I've gone with the XTI 2000. It's only 12 lbs heavier than the xls and by all accounts should give me what I need in both power and performance. While the verdict is still out on the XLS my suggestion would be to go with the 1500, 2000 or 2500 model the extra headroom will serve you well.

@$599 and Made in the USA I would have gotten the XLS2500. The 2500 is very similar in tolerances to the XTi2000 which I have it is a great amp.

I may get a 2500 just to have around.

 

[steveksux]

Thanks for thinking of me, Randy

Please see my post #62 above for more clarification of how exactly I got to having my amp's input on max. That was done after first getting a good, near-unity, out from the preamp and then needing the amp's in to do the rest for me. I think know a little more than the credit I earned from making that initial short-cut statement without explaining how I got there

I have no problem with getting there if you have to...

When in Bridge-Mono mode, the Crown's Ch-1 input level should be set at Maximum and your preamp's master volume should control the overall volume of your rig.

This however sounds like you're telling others what the correct way to set up any crown (or at least this particular amp) in Bridge mode, and that's flat out wrong...

Randy

 

[CharlieC]

This however sounds like you're telling others what the correct way to set up any crown (or at least this particular amp) in Bridge mode, and that's flat out wrong...

Randy

Correct, Randy!

I was negligent in the fact that I quickly dispensed a likely end result, based on my personal experience with the XLS 1000 used with bass preamps, without initially disclosing my reasons for same.

That's what these thread discussions are all about!

You get today's "Righteous Geek" award on my dime

Cheers!

 

[jnewmark]

Well, if anyone cares, I have found that, I also get a less noisey signal with the Crown turned up all the way, with my pre gain at about 2 o'clock and master at noon. Tried it different ways but this seems the best so far. I'll never understand attenuators and gain staging if my life depended on it !

 

[CharlieC]

Well, if anyone cares, I have found that, I also get a less noisey signal with the Crown turned up all the way, with my pre gain at about 2 o'clock and master at noon. Tried it different ways but this seems the best so far. I'll never understand attenuators and gain staging if my life depended on it !

That's great news, J

Good luck with your new + improved bass rig

Although, I'd stick around here for a while and maybe benefit from more attenuator + gain stage talk

Here's another nugget for debate:

Running with the attenuator full-up on the XLS 1000 is just like have no attenuator knob at all

 

[jnewmark]

That's great news, J

Good luck with your new + improved bass rig

Although, I'd stick around here for a while and maybe benefit from more attenuator + gain stage talk

Here's another nugget for debate:

Running with the attenuator full-up on the XLS 1000 is just like have no attenuator knob at all

Funny you should mention that. The Kenwood power amp I use for my home stereo ( 100 watts a side ) has no attenuators, it's either on or off !

 

[trjazzluva05]

This news just in fellas: I finally got and banana adapter for my XLS1000 to put in bridge mono. Didn't have and couldn't find the right speakon cable and this was the cheaper solution for now. Its been working great!!! Have the power amp up about 3/4 of the way full its only blinking one light, not breaking a sweat!!! a lot more headroom than it had. Enough power to do any gig for me.

 

[CharlieC]

This news just in fellas: I finally got and banana adapter for my XLS1000 to put in bridge mono. Didn't have and couldn't find the right speakon cable and this was the cheaper solution for now. Its been working great!!! Have the power amp up about 3/4 of the way full its only blinking one light, not breaking a sweat!!! a lot more headroom than it had. Enough power to do any gig for me.

Another satisfied customer! and the fact the Crown backs their amps with a three-year no-fault guarantee is another reason to consider the new XLS series.

 

[bassplayer7770]

Well, if anyone cares, I have found that, I also get a less noisey signal with the Crown turned up all the way, with my pre gain at about 2 o'clock and master at noon. Tried it different ways but this seems the best so far. I'll never understand attenuators and gain staging if my life depended on it !

I have the Pre Gain and Master set very similarly on my BBE BMAX pre, and that is working great for me. I have the Compressor up enough so that it mostly engages when I play Slap and not so much when I'm playing regular fingerstyle. Again, I'm using an XLS 1500, and I usually have that output set at around 12 o'clock in live situations.

I mentioned before (possibly in another thread) that I had a high pass filter set at 50Hz on my Crown. Well, now I'm using in Bridge Bypass mode, and I'm really digging it. I think the Compressor on the BMAX helps tame those low frequencies so the 15 in my cab doesn't work so hard.

 

[Plstrns]

Are you sure that works? Typically there's a hot and ground output on each channel. You have to invert the signal to the 2nd channel so that the hot is out of phase with the first channel.

Then you go with +1 from both channels. What you're doing seems like it's getting output from a single channel into your speaker, and driving the other channel without a load. The -1 of the 2nd channel I would assume is ground, which is the same as hooking up to -1 of the first channel. Your 2nd channel is without a load..

If you're referring to speakon terminals, you may indeed be using both hot leads correctly, I'd have to check the wiring diagram, but that still doesn't help, you have to invert the input signal to one channel to get the other channel output out of phase. That's what a bridge switch does, takes the input from channel 1, inverts it, and hooks it up to channel 2. You can't just loop the 2 input channels together to achieve the same results.

Randy

Sorry, I missed this.

Yes, bridge mode for a Peavey IPR 1600 is accomplished by using both inputs, and both output Speakons. Channel A +1, Channel B -1 output, as per the amp's designer. Peavey customer service should be able to verify for you.

 

[trjazzluva05]

Another satisfied customer! and the fact the Crown backs their amps with a three-year no-fault guarantee is another reason to consider the new XLS series.

Yessir!!! Given this is all at home practicing. but i practice a little loud at home to get and idea of how i would sound at a gig. Usually whats good for you at home isnt enough in a band situation, unless youre running FOH. but my next gig is tomorrow with no PA assistance, so ill report back with the results. Man if the 1000 is good, i wonder how pumpin' my rig would have been with the 1500!!!

 

[CharlieC]

Yessir!!! Given this is all at home practicing. but i practice a little loud at home to get and idea of how i would sound at a gig. Usually whats good for you at home isnt enough in a band situation, unless youre running FOH. but my next gig is tomorrow with no PA assistance, so ill report back with the results. Man if the 1000 is good, i wonder how pumpin' my rig would have been with the 1500!!!

Be sure to take great care when driving your 4 ohm Aguilar GS212 with a bridged-mono XLS 1000. Your 2 x 12"s can only take just so much before they bottom-out (or worse.) Any single speaker cab or arrangement is only capable of moving just so much air before diminishing returns. Don't push it. You've been through so much on assembling this rig that I'd hate for you to take a crippling blow now. Cheers!

 

[trjazzluva05]

Be sure to take great care when driving your 4 ohm Aguilar GS212 with a bridged-mono XLS 1000. Your 2 x 12"s can only take just so much before they bottom-out (or worse.) Any single speaker cab or arrangement is only capable of moving just so much air before diminishing returns. Don't push it. You've been through so much on assembling this rig that I'd hate for you to take a crippling blow now. Cheers!

Oh yes most definitely, man. My 1000 just hitting the -20 point slightly and its super loud! My speakers aren't even seem to move at all!!! Its really loud and I definitely wouldn't push it further than where I have it at a gig. I'm thinking of selling my 4 ohm GS212 for and 8 ohm 4x10, so I could use two cabs instead of one. Possible a GS410 or a SWR Goliath III cab. Also down the line I want to switch up my Tone Hammer to a Demeter preamp. The Tone Hammer is good preamp, just somewhat limited in tone shaping, but gets the tones I need from it.

 

[rpsands]

You can already use two cabs...parallel mono mode for the win. One 4 ohm cab per channel will be a lot easier on the amp than bridged into a 4 ohm load too.

 

[trjazzluva05]

You can already use two cabs...parallel mono mode for the win. One 4 ohm cab per channel will be a lot easier on the amp than bridged into a 4 ohm load too.

Well the thing is with that is I was running out of headroom in stereo with ONE cab connected. My level would start to frequently. I much more prefer the sound of bridge mono. I only get 350W per side at 4 ohms. I had I gotten the 1500 I would have been better off with that option.