Author Topic: F1-X with Crown Drivecore XLS1000 (Read 1764 times)

mtjam · « **on:** July 23, 2015, 08:25:51 PM »

Musician's Friend is running a sale on the Crown Drivecore XLS Power Amp as their Stupid Deal of the Day today, so I thought the time was right to try a preamp/power amp setup. In the past, I have run my F1-X into the Effects return on my Aguilar Tone Hammer or Eden 1205 with great results. Now that I will be getting a power amp, I am hoping that I can get advice on the best way to setup my new rig. I plan to run an 8-ohm cabinet from each channel of the XLS1000. What is the best way to connect my F1-X to the power amp? I know a few people have posted about using these Crown Drivecore amps, so I thought I would turn to the experts!

I am also intrigued by Jimmy's ideas of plugging a series bass directly into a power amp. Any advice on how I should make my connections?

Despite playing bass for many years, I've never had a pre/power amp rig. Therefore, I appreciate any advice I can get in achieving the best results from those who continue to search for the sound. Thanks!

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2015, 04:00:49 AM »

I'm watching too... this may be where my journey toward clean gain ends.

rv_bass · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2015, 05:02:24 AM »

The comments by Rusty and Keith in the link below may help with your set up. Although the power amp in that discussion is a QSC, the jumper between the two channels is likely the same process.

http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207982.html?1429926634

mtjam · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2015, 07:06:01 AM »

Thanks for providing a link to that thread. I stumbled upon it last night. I would imagine connecting to my Crown power amp would be the same as your QSC. I just want to make sure so I don't blow anything up!

How do you like your rig now that you got it set up?

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2015, 07:40:46 AM »

Greg; I have an F-1X and a power amp (several that I eventually plan to sell) here at the house. The next time you are in this area, you are welcome to stop by and play through them. (Would like to see your band as well, if you're playing nearby.)

Rob; I just looked through the owner's manual for your power amp, and it looks like there is not a normal mono mode, where you plug a mono signal into channel one and have the signal come out through both outputs. So it looks like the jumper solution that Rob links to might be the solution.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2015, 07:52:06 AM »

After reading this, I'm thinking maybe the best thing is to call Crown and ask or send an email. (574) 294-8000 support@crownaudio.com

keith_h · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2015, 10:00:35 AM »

From what I'm reading in the manual the XLR and 1/4 inputs on each channel are in parallel. You should be able to jumper one channel to the other using the spare input jack.

Keith

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2015, 11:58:59 AM »

Thanks Dave, I 'preciate the offer! For sure we'll have to do a Western N.C. meet-up sometime. =) There's at least one gig with my Cousin over between Boone/Blowing Rock. That wouldn't be too much of a hop over your way... that's happening up in September sometime. Ironically, I'm gonna' be in Statesville next weekend, and hoping to meet-up with Jimmy J (before the JT concert) in Greensboro the night before.

I've been reading some about this pre/power amp alternative idea on another forum too, pros/cons, etc, and it sounds like the natural evolution of where I seem to be headed. Zero experience here, total noob... all's I know right now is Mesa Walkabout bass heads and Scout cabs, which is getting the job done. Still... it could it be *more* better?

mtjam · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2015, 12:53:10 PM »

My amp has shipped, so the experiment will begin next week. Tonight I'll be playing playing my Series bass through my Acoustic 370 and Greenboy Audio 215. It's great to have choices!

Thanks for the advice! Anyone else with tips please chime in.

Still want to try connecting my bass directly to the power amp, too...

sonofa_lembic · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2015, 05:48:49 AM »

Going direct to the amp, you will lose the wonderful tube tone the F1X provides.
I never run my stereo amps in stereo. I bridge them to get the most power, and from the mono out, I run 8 ohm or even 4 ohm cabinets in series to also increase the power of the amp. I have been using Carvin DCM3000L amps for the past few years, and find them to be the best I have ever used. ( I know, I too said I would never own a Carvin product). I have had Trace Elliot RA 500s, SWR 800s, CrownXLSs, QSCs, etc. The Carvin is faster, more powerful, runs cooler (even at 2 ohms), weighs only 14 pounds, and is affordable. I have used them on the road, dropped them, and generally put them through hell, and they are absolutely reliable and have never failed in any way. The deal with the Carvin is you want to make sure you are using the 3000 or the 3800 to insure you have one of their class A/B power amps. Digital stuff is not even close to the same, and they make plenty of models that look the same, but are not class A/B. That ultra quick reacting solid state amp with the smoothness of an F1X or F2B is just perfection.

edwin · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2015, 09:23:33 PM »

While the F1X has a tube in it, it's not really tubey, in terms of its tone. The tube is a buffer and the gain comes from a solid state device. That said, it is an incredibly delicious sound. A fantastic preamp. What we associate with tube tone may not be due to the tube.

As far as digital amps go, I find the Peavey IPR 3000 to be the equal of any power amp I've used. Including Crest lead sleds and McIntosh. It weighs 8 lbs.

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2015, 10:57:48 AM »

I recently switched my rig (for guitar) to an F-2B into a Carvin DCM200L. Sounds great with little weight (only 4 lbs.!) I've also used an old Carvin power amp for the monitors in my P.A. (which are also Carvin) for many years without any problems. Carvin gives you a lot of bang for the buck.

Bill, tgo

rv_bass · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2015, 04:07:23 PM »

Greg, in response to your question above; I like my F-1X/QSC set up. Right now I use it with an Orion bass and can dial in a smooth clear tone that remains consistent at higher volumes (when needed).

Dave, thanks for looking into the QSC manual and confirming the jumper solution for the QSC set up. I'm having a bass modified right now that will have a mono/stereo switch, so I purchased a second F-1X that I will incorporate when I want to use stereo mode. I look forward to seeing how that sounds.

Greg, let us know how your new rig works out when you get it set up!

Rob

mtjam · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2015, 05:49:09 PM »

Edwin, I've come close to ordering one of those Peavey IPR amps (on more than one occasion) based on your recommendations! However, when I saw MF had the Crowns on blowout last week I decided to try one. I'm very satisfied with my Aguilar, Eden, and Acoustic rigs, but I thought I would add another choice to my arsenal. Maybe the IPR will be a future choice. Of course, being a true disciple of
Phil and the Dead, McIntosh would be my Holy Grail power amp, but the weight and cost will probably put me out of the running for one of those!

edwin · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2015, 08:56:21 PM »

McIntosh does sound great, but the weight is a real killer, especially if you get into the 2300, 2500, 2600 territory, which is where you need to be for bass.

A Crest CA9 is also a great option if you want to test your spinal fortitude.

Let us know how the Crown works out! I do have to say that I wouldn't mind if the Peavey had more options when it comes to high pass filters, although at this point, the Grace Design Felix takes care of that.

Author Topic: F1-X with Crown Drivecore XLS1000 (Read 1764 times)

sonofa_lembic