Crown DC300A

Sheggy · 30th June 2008, 08:31 PM

How much does a well looked after DC300a go for? I have an option to buy one.

Also, can anyone explain the difference between the MkI and II models ?

s

latala · 30th June 2008, 08:54 PM

Betwen £100 -150 uk pounds for a reasonable unit
there were variouse versions of the dc300 mainly different op amps

krmaudio · 1st July 2008, 07:30 PM

something i actually know a little about here lol.....

There were infact several vesions made over many decades!

best to describe by front panel type (starting with earliest)

mk1: A. very early chrome brushed front panel.
B. slightly later sandblast finnish.
C. as above but with IOC lights (input output comparator)

mk2: D. metalic grey / green amp turned upside down level knobs both on one side. (some had new mainboards)
E.as above with improved mainboards. (due to lack of main ic availability)
F. as above but with black front panel and further improved mainboard.

Really reliability depends on use age and especially botched repairs and abuse from user or poor engineer working inside unit.

In my experience go for C - F as above.......

jackinnj · 1st July 2008, 08:50 PM

Crown is decent enough to put all of their legacy manuals on their website.

Some of the construction belies many mechanical shortcuts.

Sheggy · 3rd July 2008, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the replies people - very helpful indeed.

I've seen some of these amps come up for sale in various conditions and since I have a mark II that sounds fantastic, I'm considering getting another and wanted to see how they compare.

This is all part of a plan of mine to learn more about power amps, to teach myself how to diagnose and repair faults and build up a nice vintage hi-fi in the process. Big factor in choosing the 300A series was the fact that the service manuals are available.

I'll probably stick with my MkII for now and the other discussions on this forum have been really useful. No doubt I'll have more questions soon.

S

30th June 2008, 08:31 PM	#1
Sheggy diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	Crown DC300A How much does a well looked after DC300a go for? I have an option to buy one. Also, can anyone explain the difference between the MkI and II models ? s

1st July 2008, 07:30 PM	#3
krmaudio diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	aha something i actually know a little about here lol..... There were infact several vesions made over many decades! best to describe by front panel type (starting with earliest) mk1: A. very early chrome brushed front panel. B. slightly later sandblast finnish. C. as above but with IOC lights (input output comparator) mk2: D. metalic grey / green amp turned upside down level knobs both on one side. (some had new mainboards) E.as above with improved mainboards. (due to lack of main ic availability) F. as above but with black front panel and further improved mainboard. Really reliability depends on use age and especially botched repairs and abuse from user or poor engineer working inside unit. In my experience go for C - F as above.......

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
crown dc300a	krmaudio	Solid State	3	29th January 2010 08:54 PM
Resurrecting a Crown DC300A	TomWaits	Solid State	471	16th December 2009 09:20 AM
Crown DC300A and test equipment!	deyjavont	Swap Meet	7	23rd November 2009 03:46 AM
crown dc300a transformer end cap	krmaudio	Solid State	0	4th December 2008 06:04 PM
Crown DC300A Please Vote!	TomWaits	Solid State	45	21st September 2006 07:18 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

30th June 2008, 08:54 PM	#2
latala diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: staffordshire	Betwen £100 -150 uk pounds for a reasonable unit there were variouse versions of the dc300 mainly different op amps

1st July 2008, 08:50 PM	#4
jackinnj diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Llanddewi Brefi, NJ	Crown is decent enough to put all of their legacy manuals on their website. Some of the construction belies many mechanical shortcuts.

3rd July 2008, 01:52 PM	#5
Sheggy diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	Thanks for the replies people - very helpful indeed. I've seen some of these amps come up for sale in various conditions and since I have a mark II that sounds fantastic, I'm considering getting another and wanted to see how they compare. This is all part of a plan of mine to learn more about power amps, to teach myself how to diagnose and repair faults and build up a nice vintage hi-fi in the process. Big factor in choosing the 300A series was the fact that the service manuals are available. I'll probably stick with my MkII for now and the other discussions on this forum have been really useful. No doubt I'll have more questions soon. S

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)