New Crown amps

[Pete Schumacher ®]

Anyone have experience with the XLS2000 DriveCore series?

I see that it has forced air cooling . . . how loud are the fans?

[philiparcario]

pete I am thinking the same as you. I may grab one in July. I have the 1000 in mind but it looks like all the models use the same fan.

[fernandov]

Pete,

The fan is extremely quiet and unlike my QSC power amps, only comes on when needed. The design of the crossover is excellent, as is the optional compression circuit.

That being said, I am disappointed with my XLS1000 for anythying other than subwoofer amplification. It is a class D amp and is def lacking in the dynamics and high end sparkle categories. I much prefer my QSC GX3 which I have now moved to the high-end duties of my OB bi-amped setup, relegating the XLS to the lows.

Note that in some cases, you can defeat the on board fan on pro-sound amps w/o much concern in home audio applications. I have been running my QSC w/o the fan engaged (very noisy) for almost 2 years now, w/o any issues. You can plug the harness back in if you want to.

Ed

[BasTek]

With a fully enclosed case in all pro amps, is not safe to unplug the fan, especially if you have low imp. inefficient speakers. Remove the top cover permanently, or use a 100 ohm resistor in series to cut down the noisy air flow.

[Wolf]

With a fully enclosed case in all pro amps, is not safe to unplug the fan, especially if you have low imp. inefficient speakers. Remove the top cover permanently, or use a 100 ohm resistor in series to cut down the noisy air flow.

Not true. The QSC tech told him it was okay- he says so in another post.

Shawn A has had his Crown (XLS402) fan disconnected for a long time as well without failure.

The other method of slowing down the fan would be to add a thermal switch on the heatsinks. Use a normally-open thermal switch that has a setting for the peak-average temperature of the heatsink, and mount it on the heatsink with the fan as it's switched component. It's a piece of cake, and would still be a viable alternative without wasting power with a resistor or risking fan/amp failure. I know Allelectronics.com used to have some. but there are other suppliers.

Later,
Wolf

[davepellegrene]

I have been running my Mini Statements which dip below a 4 ohm load around a 100Hz with the QSC GX3. I have played them very hard for a fairly long period of time and the amp doesn't even get warm. This is with the fan running full time as designed. I will agree this amp has great dynamics and high end sparkle compared to my Yamaha HT amp.
Dave

[Face]

That being said, I am disappointed with my XLS1000 for anythying other than subwoofer amplification. It is a class D amp and is def lacking in the dynamics and high end sparkle categories.

I'm surprised to hear of a Class D amp requiring a fan. Other than a plate amp, the others I have barely rise above room temperature.

[BasTek]

Not true. The QSC tech told him it was okay- he says so in another post.



Later,
Wolf

I don't believe QSC recommends that. I know Bob Lee would never approve that.

[Wolf]

I don't believe QSC recommends that. I know Bob Lee would never approve that.

If it's in a home-environment, instead of in a pro-rig, it won't work as hard. It would not surprise me if the tech told him he would be fine under those conditions.
Later,
Wolf

[BasTek]

My QSC RMX4050 has very large heat sinks. I tried the amp with the fan disconnected at loud levels with my Infinity Sigmas and it got really hot after 30mins. (didn't go into protection mode). I replaced the 24V fan with a quiet 12V computer fan and dropped the voltage to 9v. Now there is no noise and the air flow is enough to keep the amp cool. The original fan is overkill for home use.