Yeah, the whole community has been largely taken over by wealthy types that like to feel the sense of their wealth putting them in a godly position above the perceived peasants. To be honest, the audio industry itself is partly responsible as well for really removing value from the whole scene and whacking sometimes exorbitant prices on stuff that is actually really poorly measuring and sounding but playing to the psychology being used to tell people they need to spend ridiculous money to have any kind of stature in a past-time that once was without such structures. Truth is, the Crown really is capable of destroying a lot of extremely highly priced gear, same with speakers, some costing more than average Joe would ever be able to afford and are a complete mess. It's disheartening to know so many who fall prey to being influenced are really missing out on the very thing that makes music and Hi-fi special, in that it used to bring people together. I was kind of one of those fools to start with, the Crown was a stopgap until I could afford an expensive replacement. Since then I have tried around 10 amplifiers costing between £2000-£3000, and literally A/B'ing against the Crown and literally say 2 of those did things I liked more, but not enough to warrant the amount of cash for the small difference. Even then, neither of those 2 amps came close when it came to ability with dynamic swings and low end control. The other 8, lol, well that was literally knowing within an hour that the Crown just trounced them. Only issues, and that's really stretching it is with the wrong source upper mids can be dry(ish), but again it's far cheaper to just get a new CD player etc. And secondly the highs can be a touch glassy with poorly recorded music, which really isn't an issue with the Crown, and any amplifier that doesn't show these things is obviously not as true to the source/music. After trying the last amplifier on test for 30 days, I've realised that it's not going anywhere, was prepared to spend a certain amount, but there's just no need. Closest contender to replace was the Technics, but it wasn't really better sounding, just looked the part with it's styling, but would have ultimately been a £2500 downgrade really.

@colossusrageblack ...... Hi 👋🏼 I think the XLi range from crown are A/B technology?..... anyways, the "audiophiles" are just jealous because they dont have the sence to try one.... The RCA connectors on the back are just an added bonus for connecting subs to a home cinema amplifier.... Grwat choice, and just ignore them lol, ive seen what "cleeks" can do when they gang up on people.... From U.K 😂👋🏼👍🏻

Thank you for watching.

Awesome video!! I blew a carver up being used for Subs and hooked up my 1502 and have and will never look back.

This!!!

Sadly in this life there are always pretentious people around. But don't let the tiny minority put you off. Just ignore them... as there are many many more really nice, like minded and interested folks who are open minded. The problem with hi-fi is that it can be really confusing, expensive and frustrating affaie, but in reality is our own personal journey into appreciating music. So ultimately there is no right or wrong, nor does it really need to cost a fortune...but I guess the snobs have to keep justifying their egos and positions as they have usually lost themselves down the rabbit hole and so can't be happy and appreciate others and their choices.

Because I took his advice and bought two of these amps...just disappointed. I have modest gear.

@@golferadam12 Me too!

I think it's because it's ultimately a subjective experience and matter of taste, so it becomes ultra tribal and personal. It's like someone who likes pizza arguing with someone who likes burgers - pointless

You will have MORE than enough headroom for sure. If you're worried about noise floor, just remember to turn the front gain down a click or two and you'll be good to go (that is if you hear any hiss from your speakers at all). Cheers!

He was not talking about the original GT40, he was talking about the GT.

That's exactly what a good amp is supposed to do. Be well and enjoy!

Thank you and happy New Year to you as well.

Oops...prodictive text error... I meant xls not old

Glad to hear you've had a positive experience! Enjoy!

Maybe you should ?...... you might get a plesent surprise ??????

I was thinking about buying the same amp! I love the look of it - and I like the preamp with room correction for two channel listening as well, but after this video and your comment here, I've decided to go ahead and buy the crowns and see what I think. (I own the P2 currently.) Did you hear any hiss from the crown vs the Anthem?

@@joshpeters7392 the anthem is a great looking and sounding amp I tested some focal 1028b and revel speakers on it also I like to listen to my music and movies pretty loud and the anthem made the speakers clip and distort at higher volume for the money the crown is great it really makes the speakers come alive it drives my speakers at really loud volume without any distortion or clipping it sounds clear crisp and punchy as for the hiss it's not too common from what I understand but there is a faint hum coming from the speakers if I get about 2 feet away from the tweeter its most likely ground feedback that can be fixed by a 3 to 2 prong adapter or pulling the ground pin out of the chord or turning the gain knob on the amp down a few clicks either way I have the gain control knob all the way up and I can't hear anything but clean powerful sound from my listening position so I have yet to get the prong adapter as far as the amp itself it's really quiet doesn't make any noise

@@bobzealand5692 - thank you for the reply! I'm really going to have to check out the Crowns considering your remarks and Andrew's comments about them. I still have a hard time believing that a product costing a 10th of what I'm looking at would give similar/ better performance, but I'm totally down for it if it works. I have an Anthem P2 now along with some Def Tech 8080's, but by the end of the month, I think I'm going to pull the trigger and buy the Golden Ear Reference speakers. I love that they have a built in, 1800 watt powered sub with adjustable volume, they image incredibly well, the sound stage is AMAZING, and they have far more detail than my def techs. I'll get the crowns to test them against my P2 shortly after and will report back what I find. I hate giving up the look of the STR and preamp together.... and might still go that route if it's close sound wise, but if the crowns are better, there is no way I'm going to spend that much more for something that isn't as good. Thanks again and good luck there!

@@joshpeters7392 So how’d it go?

I do..... 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 and .... so much, very much more.... 2 x XLs 3500 bridged for 2 x 24 inch subs that wake the dead up...... (many complaints from local cemeteries).... 😉👍🏻❤️💥

Yes, the poor mans Mcintosh used to be Crowns nickname back in the day. Those amps are fetching a good brice on Ebay today.

You are correct. But even class A/AB are now virtually obsolete now that class D just achieved transparency with Purifi modules. All while being light weight and power efficient. (they're still very expensive tough).

Where does it say it has lower distortion numbers, when I compare them, everything is the same, except for the power.

That's all that matters. Thanks for watching!

If you get two Crown amps and run them in mono-block using your Marantz as a preamp, I don't know if it will sound "better", but whatever your driving will definitely have more oomph behind it.

I appreciate that!

Tom Ohle i think he is using a marantz 150x whatever avr as processor for his system

👏👏👏😎

yea I did the same, I got a 1002 secondhand new in box at a super good price, don't think il ever regret that, if Zeos can use it on his ohm's and like it must be good.

I have the Crown XLS 2500 and it's the best amp I've ever used.

is it noisy while running? can you hear the fan running? want to know if you can hear it running while watching a movie.

@@stealthhtm23 Never. It doesn't run hot unless you really push it so the fans rarely come on, if they do you can't hear them. Mine is a fairly big amp so it doesn't work very hard. Can't speak for the smaller amps in the series.

@@ericnortan9012 good to hear! (or not hear lol)

@@stealthhtm23 I can't really find any flaws for the price. Really clean dedicated 2CH sound but also perfect for a surround system, no need to blow thousands on amps that are primarily for movies/tv. Added bonus, being a pro amp it's built like a tank. It's a peice of equipment that will last forever in a home system. They are made to run and run.

@@ericnortan9012 right on! it’s for my home theater/listening room. I’m looking to pair it with the Pioneer Elite LX505 receiver, and power my Polk Audio RTi A9’s with the Crown. they are starving for power!! the other 5 speakers can run off the receiver for now.

Yes. it sounds better warm. No you do not need to leave it on all the time.

Thats with any electronics and not just amps. 5-10mins in and you should be good. I power ON/OFF my XLS2500 with a DIY 12v trigger that installed years ago and works great with my Emotiva DAC/Pre-amp.