CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

thecorwin · Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

Hi I recently found out that my employer has two pallets of Crown ComTech 810 amps just sitting in the basement. I'm going to find out if they will sell some and how much they want for them. I was thinking about hooking them up to my Pioneer Elite VSX 45TX. I have found a manual online and the input on the amps are 3 wire and my receiver uses RCA pre-outs. Before I get the amps I want to make sure it is actually possible to hook these together.

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas on how to make this work.
TheCorwin

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

That is a new one for me too. A 3 wire balanced terminal strip. Not sure if an unbalanced RCA connection is going to be the best option but I am sure it can be done. Curt or another pro audio guy should be able to get to the bottom of this.

http://www.crownaudio.com/pdf/legacy/128420.pdf

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:50 am Post subject:

NICE AMPS! If they are cheap, I'll take the rest. Very Happy

This is easy:

hot pin of the RCA output goes to pin 2 on the XLR. Short pins 1 and 3 together on each XLR, that's the ground/shield.

thecorwin · Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

Thats a lot easier than I thought it would be. I will let you know when I find out how much they want for them. I know they don't like to sell stuff and even if they don't plan on using them there is a chance they wont sell them. I know they have just been sitting there for years just collecting dust. One pallet is stacked with used ones and the other one has them still in boxes. I would say they have around 40 of these amps. Does anyone have an idea on how much these used/new amps should cost each. I know they are a little older and don't want to get ripped off and pay way to much for them.

Thanks a lot
TheCorwin

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject:

I'd pay $100 each for them or so. NOt sure if they are worth more. I can use them in commercial installs, they are not really designed as consumer amps.

thecorwin · Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

I was thinking about getting something like an Integra DTC-9.4 Preamp/Processor and running 5 of these amps. Four wired for two channel and one bridged for a sub. I would also need some speakers that can handle the power the amps put out. If its possible I was thinking it would be a killer 7.1 surround sound system. Not sure exactly what else I would need if I end up doing something like this. As for the price Ill have to see what they say and if I can get them even cheaper than 100. Ill let you know when I find out.

Thanks again
TheCorwin

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:55 pm Post subject:

One thing to consider with the Crown prosound amps for HT duty is fan noise. I don't know how noisy the CT810's are, but with 5 of them, you may need to have them in a separate room. CRT projectors are loud enough, but throw 5 prosound amps with fans into the mix, and it could be pretty obnoxious.

I have 3 Crown XLS-202D's... They're much smaller amps, with a single 4"-ish fan, and they're pretty noisy. I'm planning to do fan mod on all three (they're just loafing and completely cool 95% of the time in an HT), but I want to take care of a warranty issue on one of them first.

Just an FYI.

Oh, and no need to get different speakers if you don't want to... You'll just be limited by how hard you can drive them. If you start driving your current speakers too hard, they'll let you know - it won't sound good - and you can just turn it down a bit. Now, if you want to drive higher SPL's, and your current speakers won't get you there, then yes - upgrade your speakers.

SC

thecorwin · Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

I figured that they would be loud so will probably end up switching out the fans for quieter ones. If that doesn't quiet them enough I will have to put them some where else to keep them quiet. I will have to try my speakers first and see how they sound before I get different ones. The amps output around 500 watts per channel and would eventually like to get some nice speakers that can actually handle the power. I talked to my boss and I should know by tuesday what they are doing with them. I'm also going to start looking for something like a Integra DTC-9.4 with XLR preouts to hook everything up to.

Thanks
TheCorwin

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:43 pm Post subject:

You will need a dedicated 15 amp outlet for each amp if you're going to crank it. Two per outlet max if at moderate volumes.