Crown XLS 2502 vs Emotiva

[rajivaryan1984]

Thanks a lot friends...Ok so let me reiterate this and please correct me if I am going wrong somewhere my friends --

1. SR7013 can easily manage ELAC Debut 5.1.4 Config while using HT. Correct ?
2. Also it will play the stereo very well when listening to music...

I can easily get rid of my IA - PM8006 and no need to further invest on Emotiva or Crown for Power AMP..Hope I got it correct...

Please let me know if there is any scope to improve the audio quality with my existing setup..

 

[jai1611]

Say if the speaker was 89 Db would it create this hiss?

best to check some actual user feedback for that

 

[prateekatasniya]

Thanks a lot friends...Ok so let me reiterate this and please correct me if I am going wrong somewhere my friends --

1. SR7013 can easily manage ELAC Debut 5.1.4 Config while using HT. Correct ?
2. Also it will play the stereo very well when listening to music...

I can easily get rid of my IA - PM8006 and no need to further invest on Emotiva or Crown for Power AMP..Hope I got it correct...

Please let me know if there is any scope to improve the audio quality with my existing setup..

Day and night difference between the audio quality with a good amp and the AVR.

 

[rpmahale]

Already as I have mentioned that I am using Denon AVR as PA to Marantz NR1608 and I observed good improvement in overall performance. Now string instruments have greater presence with vocals are little bold and deep. Overall sound signature is more articulate and enjoyable. May be high end avrs is performance more close to PA/IA than entry level avr.

 

[tuff]

Ive been thinking of power amplifiers my self. I've seen some reviews where some people complained about a "hiss" from Crown especially for people have sensitive speakers. Does any one have any idea about it?

As a user of Crown XLS, i can say there is no hiss coming from the amplifier. I have connected it to 89DB sensitivity bookshelf speakers and have not heard any hiss. It's been in my chain for almost two years now and i highly recommend it.

 

[shibashis]

Ok Friends may be I am taking a wrong approach but here's my query --

Let's say SR7013 has a capability of driving 5.1.4 ELAC Debut Speakers and my HT setup is perfect. But if I want to improve my music listening then do I need a Power Amp like Emotiva Bass X or XPA Gen 3 ?

Or do I need to add an IA to the AVR which will improve the quality of the music ? As I have PM8006 which I am planning to sell away once the setup is ready to replace it with a Power AMP.

Why not use the 8006 as a power amp for your front pre outs? If I am not wrong it can be used as a power amp, that should be a good match.

 

[Sandesh]

@tuff what speakers are you using?

 

[rajivaryan1984]

Now Zensor 7 but will move to Elac Debut

 

[MaSh]

Thanks a lot friends...Ok so let me reiterate this and please correct me if I am going wrong somewhere my friends --

1. SR7013 can easily manage ELAC Debut 5.1.4 Config while using HT. Correct ?
2. Also it will play the stereo very well when listening to music...

I can easily get rid of my IA - PM8006 and no need to further invest on Emotiva or Crown for Power AMP..Hope I got it correct...

Please let me know if there is any scope to improve the audio quality with my existing setup..

There are some great suggestions here in the thread. However, in my experience, a Stereo amp beats a receiver when it comes to pure musicality. I would advise keeping your stereo amp till the time your speakers arrive and then take a call. Maybe add a power amp to the stereo amp for the ultimate combination for music listening. Receiver Pre-out could be an input to the Stereo amp when it comes to HT duties.

MaSh

 

[rpmahale]

There are certain IA come with HT Bypass mode, in which you can use IA as power amplifier in HT mode and Stereo amplifier in music mode. But initial experiment with existing IA and later on decide how much improvement you may gain by adding additional PA or IA with HT Bypass mode. If difference is worth then go for new else old will be fine ....

 

[rajivaryan1984]

Thanks as per WhatHifi PM8006 supports HT Bypass mode....If it is not much of a ask then can somebody tell me --

How I can integrate SR7013 with PM8006 and use the front for Music Listening in Stereo Mode and use all the speakers while in HT Mode ?
Any precautions or measures needs to be taken ?

Kindly guide...

 

[tuff]

@tuff what speakers are you using?

Magnepan 1.7. 4 ohms and 86db sensitivity.

 

[rpmahale]

You can directly contact front pre out of avr to HT Bypass of IA. Now in this mode you will bypass the pre amplifier processing of IA and AVR pre out signal will be directly feed to power amplifier section of IA. For stereo mode you can directly use your IA as a normal stereo amplifier by selecting the require input. Only in HT Bypass mode your IA will be connected to AVR front pre out and work as PA.
Same way you can connect avr pre out to normal input of IA but in that case signal will be process in two stages ( In avr and IA pre-amp section) . You have to make sure the input signal level ( from avr pre-out) that IA can safely process and amplify else you need to experiment with IA and AVR by manually adjusting signal gain with the help of avr and IA volume dials. Make sure to gather more information and help from FM in this regards.

 

[msaab90]

I have been using a PM8005 in HT bypass mode with NR1509 for some time. In my experience the buffered CD input on marantz is of much higher quality than the preamp section of the AVR. Also the stand alone power amp section of IA is somewhat harsher and less suitable for stereo. Therefore my recommendation would be to incorporate a VFM dac in the chain for music if feasible. Connecting the DAC to CD input and AVR to HT bypass inputs. This would give you much better stereo reproduction. In my opinion Your IA is adequate to power the speakers being used. Although obviously this option would entail expenditure on a stand alone DAC.

 

[dextrostar]

?

OP asked a question. it was comparative. i gave an answer. it wasn't a qualified question about VFM. if someone asks who's better looking, asrani or hrithik, that question can be answered, without going into how unfair it is to compare a comedian with a "hero"

anyway, the xls2502, is better than a lot of other midprice amps out there, just not, imho, better than the XPA gen2.

OTOH, compared the emotiva a series, its probably a lot better.

Just to clarify...are you saying the Emotiva A..for example A-300 is better than Crown xls2502 or the other way round?

 

[kapvin]

Just to clarify...are you saying the Emotiva A..for example A-300 is better than Crown xls2502 or the other way round?

Xls is more enjoyable. The a series is quieter (I have the a-500) and seems cleaner at low volumes. But xls is more dynamic.

 

[dextrostar]

Xls is more enjoyable. The a series is quieter (I have the a-500) and seems cleaner at low volumes. But xls is more dynamic.

Thanks for that. What is your setup if I may ask? I have a Marantz NR1509 which has very low power output hence my need to get a power amp as the AVR has pre out.
Will the XLS work well with this?

 

[kapvin]

Thanks for that. What is your setup if I may ask? I have a Marantz NR1509 which has very low power output hence my need to get a power amp as the AVR has pre out.
Will the XLS work well with this?

while I have an NR1509 as well, I have not tried it with any other amp as it's in a bedroom system. Maybe check out the manual for output levels. my understanding from internet reviews is most AVRs dont give high output from the pre-out. what speakers will you be using?

 

[ssf]

my understanding from internet reviews is most AVRs dont give high output from the pre-out.

This is true even for my Marantz 7010. The gain on the crowns have to be kept at 3 O'clock for it to work as intended. This will raise the noise floor.

Will the XLS work well with this?

Yes, it will work. Keep the input sensitivity on the Crowns at .775v and the gain at 3 O'clock.

 

[dextrostar]

while I have an NR1509 as well, I have not tried it with any other amp as it's in a bedroom system. Maybe check out the manual for output levels. my understanding from internet reviews is most AVRs dont give high output from the pre-out. what speakers will you be using?

Currently have a basic Boston acoustics FS which has power requirements of 15-250 W amp power. Planning to upgrade to better FS hence the need for better power output.
Planning for Fyne Audio FS F301 which shows requirements of 30-120W amp power.