Major milestone met with office Vintage system...

[Vintage Pete]

Greetings gang...

Some of you are already aware from my teaser thread of earlier today, I received today the final component needed to complete my vintage Crown "Distinction series" system in my home office. Earlier this year I had found very nice examples of the EQ-2 equalizer and the SA-2 Amplifier. I set these up and ran them with my old faithful IC-150A preamp that I've owned since 1977.

The equalizer and amplifier purchases are discussed here:

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

http://www.audioaficionado.org/vinta...her-notch.html

I've also discussed in those threads the Crown Distinction series, a flagship series of components produced in the late 1970's and early eighties. There were but three components in the series-the EQ2 equalizer, the SA2 amplifier and then the two-chassis DL-2 Controller preamplifier system (three chassis if you count the fact that the phono preamp is also in a separate "module").

In those days, the complete system (without trimmings like the walnut cabinets) ran close to $7,000, which was beyond my young means. All I could do was dream of owning it, and dream I did.

Back to the present...I knew I was two-thirds there with the first two components, but I also knew that the DL-2 was key to completing the system and realizing its full potential. I expected the sonic performance to be superior to the IC-150A; what I didn't expect was the flat out spectacular performance this preamplifier delivers...not to even mention its sleek and serious appearance. It is also an extremely flexible system, sharing some of the key successes of the EQ-2 equalizer and the simpler IC-150A preamp.

The unit has a sophisticated expansion of the "panorama" control of the IC150A preamp, and flexible set of "shelving" type tone controls similar to the EQ2 which allow one to shift the frequency at which the tone controls operate. Across the top center of the panel is a very cool and very precise digital volume/balance control arrangement that one can have lots of fun with. Below that is a sophisticated variable loudness control that is set up in such a way that it can be used as a master volume control. The unit also has rear panel ports to interface with a PC for remote control. Crown out a ton of thought into the DL-2, for sure. The "Power module" is on a separate chassis, which was done primarily for noise rejection, as was the separate preamp stage. The power module has a 20 amp cord and plug, and has a plethora of switched and unswitched outlets on the rear apron. An umbilical cord connects the power module to the main controller. The main controller also has two switchable main outputs, two headphone jacks, three tape monitor circuits, two selectable external processor loops, variable low and high filters, and more.

I want to discuss the sound of this gem, but first, lets look at a few pictures:










The reason the components are sitting out in the room like this is that, due to the large size and multi-chassis design of the DL-2 system, there simply is no longer room in my existing rack to accommodate the complete system. Hence, the plan is (and has been) that when the day arrives that I secure a DL-2, I will then construct a new and taller rack that will accommodate everything, including the accessory walnut cabinets. It will be worth the trouble, and will be built the very same way as the existing rack, just taller.

Getting back to the sound of this preamp-it is superb...as I told Dan (aka jdandy) this preamp may be the best sounding preamp I own. It is highly revealing, as evidenced by the fact that I am hearing nuances in many recordings I haven't heard in any of my systems. When I first connected the unit up quick and dirty without any processors or the like, I was immediately struck by the midrange liquidity, the smoothness from top to bottom, and the overall presentation. The difference was immediate and dramatic. hence, I am already spoiled to the point that I won't be reconnecting my IC-150A during the interim period that I will be constructing a new rack.

This preamp was well ahead of its time, and I wonder how many high end preamps of today it could trump. I find myself wondering what a shootout between this preamp and the McIntosh C1000 C/P might be like.

In terms of cosmetics, the unit is in excellent shape. I have done some superficial cleaning, and have noted some slightly dirty switching, as well as the rear apron RCA jacks needing a good cleaning. I'll be busy for a while giving this unit the "full treatment".

Dan and I lamented once again today, where Crown might be today had they stayed in this direction, rather than going with a lot of class-d pro amps, and the like. Though, I do own two of the current D-75A amps (class AB+B I believe) and I like them a lot.

But had Crown continued to offer products like this one, aimed at the serious audiophile, as Dan put it, they would be "running the show" today. I think that's spot on.....


Thanks for looking,


Pete

[Still-One]

Pete
That is one nice looking pre-amp. Congratulations on finding the missing piece.

What was the timeframe of most of this set-up?

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Pete
That is one nice looking pre-amp. Congratulations on finding the missing piece.

What was the timeframe of most of this set-up?

Jim....thanks. The office system has actually been in place and evolving for about 10 years. However most of the major upgrades have occurred over the last year; the first two components of the distinction series itself were purchased the latter part of last April.

Pete

[Still-One]

Pete
Sorry, I have been following your journey over the last year. I was asking when these products were in production by Crown.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Pete
Sorry, I have been following your journey over the last year. I was asking when these products were in production by Crown.

Jim....Crown was producing products aimed at the audiophile market from around 1974 through around I want to say 1984 or so. After that, they changed their direction substantially.

The Distinction series components began with the EQ2 equalizer, which was introduced in 1977. I remember heading right over to the store and drooling over it. The early units were called "Synergistic Equalizer".

The SA-2 Amplifier and the DL-2 Preamplifier were introduced in 1979, at which time this series of components were branded as the Distinction series.
They were well ahead of their time in many ways.


Pete

[Masterlu]

Pete... What a fine specimen, where did you find it?

[jdandy]

Pete........I am so happy for you. I know how much you have wanted the final piece of the Distinction Series, the DL2 preamp, to have the system complete. The preamplifier is gorgeous. Once you have the EQ and the preamp/power supply installed in the Crown cabinets and in the new rack you are constructing the system will be a show stopper for sure. Congratulations on another great score.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Pete... What a fine specimen, where did you find it?

Ivan....I found all three of these components, Equalizer, Amp and Preamp on eBay.

The Equalizer and amp came from the same seller, in auctions that ended one night apart from each other.


Pete

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Pete........I am so happy for you. I know how much you have wanted the final piece of the Distinction Series, the DL2 preamp, to have the system complete. The preamplifier is gorgeous. Once you have the EQ and the pream/power supply installed in the Crown cabinets and in the new rack you are constructing the system will be a show stopper for sure. Congratulations on another great score.

Thanks Dan!

Pete

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

Ivan....I found all three of these components, Equalizer, Amp and Preamp on eBay.

The Equalizer and amp came from the same seller, in auctions that ended one night apart from each other.


Pete

Great find, you just know there can't be many out there in such nice condition!