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Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79497 is a reply to message #79485] Wed, 19 February 2014 10:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18788
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

They look awesome in pics! I think sometimes we're our own worst critics.

Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79498 is a reply to message #79497] Wed, 19 February 2014 10:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jshupe is currently offline  jshupe
Messages: 31
Registered: January 2014
Location: Austin, Texas
Baron
Wayne Parham wrote on Wed, 19 February 2014 10:07

They look awesome in pics! I think sometimes we're our own worst critics.


Thanks! I'm sure that's the case; I'm a perfectionist and won't sleep right until they're exactly as I envision them.
Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79558 is a reply to message #79498] Sun, 23 February 2014 15:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
BFP is currently offline  BFP
Messages: 48
Registered: May 2009
Baron
That's a nice looking setup. It looks like a Crown XLS amp in your equipment stand. I'm looking at one of those,the 2000, for a sub amp. How do you like it?
I just finished Pi 3's and am very happy with the sound.
Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79567 is a reply to message #79558] Mon, 24 February 2014 10:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jshupe is currently offline  jshupe
Messages: 31
Registered: January 2014
Location: Austin, Texas
Baron
BFP wrote on Sun, 23 February 2014 15:27
That's a nice looking setup. It looks like a Crown XLS amp in your equipment stand. I'm looking at one of those,the 2000, for a sub amp. How do you like it?
I just finished Pi 3's and am very happy with the sound.



Thanks. I'm temporarily using the Crown XLS-2500 to power the subs, and the Yamaha RX-A830 receiver to power the mains.

I have to set the gain near max on the Crown because of low output voltage on the analog outs on the Yamaha.

That being said; the Crown is easily powerful enough to shake the house apart while sounding very clear and precise. I knew about the analog voltage from reading on other forums --, it isn't really a problem for me, but can apparently be with certain receivers, so be aware. Pro Audio pre's usually give an extra volt or so.

I'll soon be replacing the amps I'm using with some vintage Phase Linear D-500s, leaving the Crown out of my setup -- but that has nothing to do with the Crown and was simply the ultimate goal to begin with.


Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79584 is a reply to message #79567] Tue, 25 February 2014 09:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
BFP is currently offline  BFP
Messages: 48
Registered: May 2009
Baron
Thanks for the heads up on the input levels. I am currently usind a Hafler DH220 to power my 2 subs and the 3 pi will play much louder than my old setup. I now need to upgrade to more power so the subs can keep up. The pro amps offer great value. I just got a line on a lightly used QSC amp that I am going to consider for sub duty.
Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79703 is a reply to message #78931] Sun, 16 March 2014 23:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jshupe is currently offline  jshupe
Messages: 31
Registered: January 2014
Location: Austin, Texas
Baron
I'm running into some issues with my Phase Linear amps, and it'll be a while before they're up and running. I'm going to end up having some custom PCBs made up to replace the original ones that are damaged in both amps, and going in with all new resistors, diodes, opamps, and caps. I'll be upgrading the opamps while I'm at it.

In the mean time, I ordered a Crown XLS-1500 tonight to drive my Pi 4s, along with two Art CleanBox Pro's and XLR cables to put between the CleanBox's and the two Crown amps. The CleanBox's will be used to correct the gain issues mentioned in the last post. I've read great things about them on other forums.

In the last week, I also cleaned up my Sansui XR-Q7 turntable and replaced the cart with a Denon DL-110 and built a Bugle 2 phono preamp w/ 1k loading and 50dB gain. It works and sounds great.
Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79706 is a reply to message #79703] Mon, 17 March 2014 12:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bill Epstein is currently offline  Bill Epstein
Messages: 1088
Registered: May 2009
Location: Smoky Mts. USA
Illuminati (2nd Degree)
jshupe wrote on Mon, 17 March 2014 00:58

In the mean time, I ordered a Crown XLS-1500 tonight to drive my Pi 4s,


Where are the tubes?

index.php?t=getfile&id=1435&private=0

Coming soon to Pi 4s near you

index.php?t=getfile&id=1436&private=0



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Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79715 is a reply to message #78931] Tue, 18 March 2014 11:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
BFP is currently offline  BFP
Messages: 48
Registered: May 2009
Baron
That 1500 should drive those 4s really well. I'm using a pretty big amp on my 3s a W4S STI500. It's nice to have lots of power on them because they do dynamics really well. I have a 50wpc tube amp but haven't tried it yet.
How do you like the subs. I want to upgrade and am wondering how you like those Lab 12 drivers.
Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79717 is a reply to message #79715] Tue, 18 March 2014 13:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jshupe is currently offline  jshupe
Messages: 31
Registered: January 2014
Location: Austin, Texas
Baron
I love the subs. The Pi 4's sound great without them, but there is no comparison to listening with them. They're a must-have.

I wouldn't change a thing about them.

I'm working on fixing a gain staging issue. My AVR pre-out is driven to clipping when my Crown XLS-2500 is only driving 293w ((measured by tonegen/oscilloscope) which, by the way, is plenty loud.) Hoping an Art Cleanbox will correct that issue.
Re: New Pi 4 + Pi 3 Sub buildout [message #79718 is a reply to message #79717] Tue, 18 March 2014 14:44 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18788
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Pro amps generally need more preamp drive level than consumer gear. Your amp needs 1.4vrms input drive level to reach full power, and this is about twice the voltage commercial preamps deliver (0.775v).

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