Is it ok to use the Crown xls with the Cube. To me it seems like overkill. I thought I read in the old forum that you could'nt use the Crown XLS in the bridged mode( the cube is a 4ohm load
Hi Vrod,
Yes, it's OK to use the Crown XLS series with the Cube. I've done it several times with my XLS 2002, without incident. Ed goes into detail about bridging the XLS here
https://tubehifi.websitetoolbox.com/post/Subwoofer-Project-6426090?&trail=15, saying he parallels his bucket subs with the XLS, which he reminds us would be a 4-ohm load.
And from page 7 of the Crown XLS users manual: "BRIDGE mode delivers the power of both amp channels into a single load of 4Ω or greater".
As for whether using any of the XLS amps with the Cube is "overkill", that, I suppose, is subjective. But my own experience has been that I got
much better performance from my Cube with the XLS 2002 than I did when I ran it with the Dayton APA150 amp I first used it with.
I hope that helps.
I have the parts for my Bucket Subs, and spent last night reading the thread linked above, trying to sort out how (or more accurately, "If") I'm going to be able to use them. I can't use Ed's "Magic Cable" off the terminals of my First Watt F1J amp because of the type of circuit it is. It would likely "smoke" the Crown. The dilemma is, the F1J is easily my best sounding amp with my Horns/Heils, and I've never been willing to give it up.
I've thought about adding an extra pair of RCA jacks on the output of The Truth to drive the Crown, but reading that Transcendent Sound forum Bucket thread again last night, Ed was pretty adamant that it would degrade the sound. My only other choice would be to sideline the First Watt and use one of my tube amps instead. Either way is a compromise, and so far I've opted for less bass and a better mid-range and top end.