Let's do it again!

[Vintage Pete]

Along about 1979, Crown began introducing some REALLY serious high end home audio gear, known as the Distinction Series. I drooled over this line for years but it was priced way out of my reach. These units were simply over the top....


Pete

[jdandy]

Pete.......I remember the Crown Distinction Series. The SA-2 power amp, DL-2 preamp, and the EQ-2 equalizer sure would make a nice vintage rig today.

[Copper1]

Wow, that takes me way back.

[chessman]

Glad the equalizer isn't "smiling."

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Pete.......I remember the Crown Distinction Series. The SA-2 power amp, DL-2 preamp, and the EQ-2 equalizer sure would make a nice vintage rig today.

I know Dan.....don't think I haven't entertained the idea! It's hard to say which of these components was the most delicious.

The DL-2 preamp, with its separate power module and phono stage, The EQ-2 with its tone shelving and adjustable center frequency controls, or the SA-2 which was just a flat out sweet amplifier.

I think the DL-2 went for about $3K back in the day (or maybe it was $2k...in either case it was over my head). The EQ2 was about $1500 and the SA-2 was about $1800 I think.

It was a system to die for.


Pete

[Vintage Pete]

I've just made yet another cosmetic upgrade to the office system...stay tuned for an additional photo or three.


Pete

[tweet]

Pete,

The brochure sure brings back some great memories. And Reader Service cards in Stereo Review? Bet I sent a thousand of those things through the U.S. mail.

When the OC-150A first came out, I wanted one so bad I could taste it. My dealer at the time convinced me to get a SAE 1800 Parametric Equalizer and get the OC-150A later. I had just bought a pair of Klipsch Cornwall's and was trying to EQ them in an all glass "Florida room." I often wonder how my Florida neighbors felt about that setup? Oh well...hopefully they enjoyed the new EQ.

I still have a copy of the original Crown brochures upstairs in a box. Seeing it again today reminded me that even after all these years, Crown equipment design was beautiful and timeless. Thanks for sharing.

Terry

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

One day in 1976, in my mailbox I found a new catalog from Crown-I was always requesting information through the magazines using the reader service cards. My eyes opened really wide when I opened the brochure and saw the new IC-150A preamp, as well as the revamped cosmetics of the DC-300A. Also appearing was the new version of Crown's output control center, the OC-150A.

Pete

[Vintage Pete]

Okay, so I was doing a routine lamp replacement on my MX117 in the bedroom system. That unit has been residing in a walnut case ever since when,
together with an MC2125 amp that has no walnut case. That arrangement looked a bit lopsided, while the office system also looked a little lopsided
with the Crown components in walnut cases, while my beloved MR78 tuner was sitting up there with no walnut case.

So I figured....why not swipe the walnut case from the MX117 while I have the unit out, and dress up the MR78 in the office? Sure, why not!














I like the results of this move....not only does it give uniformity to all three components with the wood cases, it tends to subdue the light
in the rack in a nice way, while accenting the wood case very nicely.

And the bedroom system even looks better I think with the MX117 and MC2125 without wood cases. It is at least, more consistent...
as is the office system now.


That's it for this weekend folks....but I don't think I'm quite through with this system.


Stay tuned....



Pete

[jdandy]

Pete.......You did good. The MR78 looks wonderful in the walnut cabinet. The whole rack has a nice warm appeal to it now. Very nice.

[tweet]

Pete,

You are having a very productive weekend! Very, very nice!

I will stay tuned for your next move!

Terry