I have two Crown XLS 2502 amps. When my Marantz SR 7010 had gone for repairs, I had used one to power my Quad S2 speakers doing front LR duties and the other to power my 15" Velodyne sub whose native plate amp was broken.
The chain was:
USB out from my computer to my iFi Zen Dac to the two Crown XLS 2502s for front LR and sub via a splitter. I had the gain low on the Crown so there was no noise heard. The sound was ok. A bit on the forward side and a bit fatiguing on some songs. I was reaching most times to lower the volume rather than to increase it. Power wise, absolutely no complaints.
I recently got my Marantz SR 7010 back after repairs. My connection for music is now is as under:
USB out from computer, iFi Zen DAC to analogue in of Marantz SR 7010. Pure direct with the Quads playing full range and the sub (connected to the Crown too) playing everything below 80 Hz.
I much prefer the tonality of the Marantz over the crown over the same source and DAC. The Marantz sound is more laid back and fatigue free for long listening periods. I do prefer a laid back sound over a forward sound.
As of now, even though I have a Crown XLS 2502 laying around, I am not using it to power the Quad S2 doing front LR duties. I don't feel the need for it.
The chain was:
USB out from my computer to my iFi Zen Dac to the two Crown XLS 2502s for front LR and sub via a splitter. I had the gain low on the Crown so there was no noise heard. The sound was ok. A bit on the forward side and a bit fatiguing on some songs. I was reaching most times to lower the volume rather than to increase it. Power wise, absolutely no complaints.
I recently got my Marantz SR 7010 back after repairs. My connection for music is now is as under:
USB out from computer, iFi Zen DAC to analogue in of Marantz SR 7010. Pure direct with the Quads playing full range and the sub (connected to the Crown too) playing everything below 80 Hz.
I much prefer the tonality of the Marantz over the crown over the same source and DAC. The Marantz sound is more laid back and fatigue free for long listening periods. I do prefer a laid back sound over a forward sound.
As of now, even though I have a Crown XLS 2502 laying around, I am not using it to power the Quad S2 doing front LR duties. I don't feel the need for it.
