Another step in evolution of office vintage Crown system

[Vintage Pete]

Good evening gang...As some of you know I've been working for some time on improvements on my vintage system in my home office. That system is based on Crown gear, as I've long been a big fan of Crown gear, dating way back to the origins of my main system-or at least the very early days of it. In those days, (circa 1977-1979) Crown was really making a name for themselves in the home audio market, after having firmly established themselves in the professional market-most notably with their tape recorders.

I had started my journey with Crown in late 1974, with the acquisition of an original IC150 preamp and the original DC300 amplifier. For me, at that age, I was really ahead of the game, and I loved the Crown gear. I enthusiastically followed their new products, and in 1977 upgraded my IC150 preamp to the newer IC150A. Fast forward 25 years or so, after having moved into McIntosh gear in my main system, I started my little office system; building it around my IC150A preamp and DC300 amp. Last year, among other improvements, I acquired a very clean DC300A amplifier, so I now had the amplifier that truly matched my IC150A-something I couldn't afford to do when I was 19 years old.

http://www.audioaficionado.org/vinta...ge-system.html


The Crown Distinction series

Rewinding again to 1977, Crown began introducing a flagship series of products that became known as the Distinction series. These products were aimed at the enthusiast who wanted the absolute best, and they were beautiful, drool-worthy products in every respect. There were only three models ever to bear the Distinction series moniker, and when put together, one had a system that was to die for. And, for that time, they were priced as such. However, each of these products were well ahead their time, offered features that were innovative (and could be considered so even by today's standards) and were the by far the best looking units ever produced by Crown.

The Crown EQ-2 Equalizer

The first of this series was the EQ-2 Equalizer. The EQ-2 was introduced in 1977, and the earlier units sported the title "Synergistic Equalizer". (When the next units were introduced as Distinction series components, Crown then put the title "Distinction series Equalizer" on the units).

What set this equalizer apart was its flexibility. Rather than just giving the user 10 or so bands of frequency adjustments per channel, Crown started with 11 sliders per channel, centered on the full audible frequency spectrum of 20hz to 20khz. In addition, each slider had a corresponding control which gave the user the ability to shift the frequency center of each control up or down a half octave. In addition to that, Crown took things even a step further with the inclusion of a set of shelving-type tone controls. This consisted of four tone controls, a "bass'' control and a "treble" control for each channel. Each has a boost or cut range of 20db, and finally, another control is supplied that varies the operating range of each of these controls: The "bass control" is variable to operate anywhere between 180hz and 1800hz, and the "treble control" can operate anywhere from 1khz to 10khz.

Thus, the equalizer is extremely powerful with its very flexible control capabilities. I remember my jaw dropping when I first saw pictures of this unit, and I headed right over to the Crown dealer to gawk at it. Of course, I couldn't afford it.


The Crown SA-2 Amplifier

In 1979, Crown introduced two more flagship components, and billed them, along with the EQ-2 Equalizer, as their "Distinction series".

The SA-2 Amplifier was a very advanced amplifier design, and was pretty powerful at 220 watts per channel in stereo, and 700 watts in mono. It had dual-mono power supplies, and on-board computers to constantly monitor the safe operating areas of the output devices and assure that the amplifier always operates within them. It also utilized the patented IOC (Input-output comparator) system with its indicators to let the user know if distortion levels exceeded .05%. The amplifier shared very similar cosmetics to the EQ-2 Equalizer, with similar recesses in the front panel, which were actually vents for the amplifier's forced-air cooling system. Finally the amplifier had a very nice ladder display that also included a pair of standby lights along with the IOC indicators. Crown referred to the SA-2 as the "Self Analyzing" amplifier, a moniker that would later grace the professional version of the SA-2, which was known as the PSA-2. This model was produced for many years after the SA-2 went out of production.


The Crown DL-2 Preamplifier/Controller

Along with the SA-2, Crown developed a state of the art preamplifier, known as the DL-2. Like the EQ-2, this unit had very unique control flexibility, digital volume readouts, and a power module and phono module that were physically separate from the main controller unit. There is too much to the DL-2 to really write about thoroughly here, but suffice to say it was way ahead of its time, incredible to look at, and expensive.

All three of the Distinction series components were greeted with very favorable reviews. I remember telling my girlfriend at the time, that I was going to own that complete system one day, no matter what. But, I was never able to pull it off. In the early 80's, this system ran over $6,000 and it was over my head.


Back to the present.....

So, a little over a week ago, the opportunity presented itself for me to get started on building this system, and I jumped on it. As you can imagine, when the UPS man rolled up, I was pretty excited....and of course immediately set to open this baby up.







And we have our first look at this unit, that is about as close to mint condition that is fair to expect from a unit of this vintage:




I set the unit up temporarily in my Florida room to verify everything worked as it should, and then commenced to setting it up in my office. This required relocating my McIntosh MR78 tuner to the smaller rack, and moving two other components down in the rack.

Once set up, I sat back and marveled at this vintage system's new look:














How does it perform? I am simply thrilled with this unit. Without getting really scientific just yet, the results I have with just some rudimentary adjustments are extremely gratifying. The system's overall character is really impacted in a very positive way. Crown's implementation of the unique tone control circuits and overall quality of the equalizer circuits has paid off big in my "little" office system. By rights, this unit should really be in my main system, but its size and cosmetics wouldn't really "fit" there. It needs to be with the other Crown components...and that's really where it belongs. The plan has always been, and remains, to one day build out a complete Crown distinction series system.


From any angle you look at this unit, it is a beauty.




If I seem like I am proud of this addition, it's because I am. Thanks for looking, and stay tuned....if things go as planned, it won't be long before another change is made to this system.

Thanks for staying with this rather long post....


Pete

[Masterlu]

Pete... Your sure found some primo condition Crown gear; enjoy your new treasures!

[tweet]

Pete... Wow, what a beauty! I drooled over that unit in days gone by and could only dream of actually adding it to my Crown setup. I'm extremely happy for you and completely understand the excitement tonight. Your Crown setup is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations!

[Masterlu]

Forgot to mention, Great Pics Pete!

[Vintage Pete]

Ivan, Terry....thanks!

Pete

[jdandy]

Pete.......Fabulous! I know how much you enjoy equalizers. You own more EQ's than most people have ever seen. This beauty will keep you moving sliders and twisting knobs 'til the cows come home. Congratulations. The Crown EQ2 from their Distinction Series is the sweet maraschino cherry on top of a super hot fudge sundae.

[jfray]

Pete,

That is sure a pretty EQ! Thanks for sharing and please keep us posted on the sound!!

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[Joe]

Congratulations. Pete on this fine acquisition and excellent post. I had no idea of the flexibility of that EQ and the fine engineering involved in that series.
It all sure looks fine there!
Looking forward to other things!

[Still-One]

Congratulations Pete

Your Crown set-up looks great and is beautifully displayed. Happy listening.

[chessman]

Pete, HUGE congrats!! The gear looks great. I have only heard Crown gear once, but it sounded great.