I recently reviewed the Crown XLS1002 Amplifier. This is a teardown of the same. Let's get right into it with the overview shot:
A single board contains the entire guts of the machine, sans the front panel display. Using one board lowers labor cost and increases reliability due to elimination of cables. Down side is that if you are going to do a board swap, you are basically replacing everything which likely will cost as much as buying a new amp!
Overall layout is quite logical and nice. Right side has beefy noise and EMI filtering. Once past that, the AC voltage is converted to DC, rectified, filters and then switched at high frequencies. The high frequency allows much smaller inductors to be used than the 50/60 Hz Mains transformers. The switched signal is then converted back to lower voltage DC with rectification, filtering and regulation.
The power supply then feeds the amplifier on the left, the heart of which is the TI controller:
You can buy the TI SN6112B5 ($7 in quantity) but there is no spec for it. It was a joint development between Harman and TI and likely kept as a proprietary part.
Output duty is performed by a pair of transistors on the diagonal heatsinks. They get decent air flow from the fan but obviously not optimal given the inductors that are in the way. Still, they likely do the job.
I don't like the pair of capacitors next to it which are part of the power supply. They are only rated at 85 degree C and in fwclose proximity to those heatsinks:
If there was no fan, I would say this amp/capacitor would not last long. But seeing how the fan did not even come on and the unit ran very cool, it should be OK. In a commercial install though with uncontrolled environment, it will likely die.
For completeness, there is another pair of caps from another low tier manufacturer in the power supply:
This one is well away from heat sources and the brand seems OK so should be fine.
I was impressed with the design of these beefy binding post connectors:
These things are designed to a) stay connected and b) carry a ton of current.
Conclusions
The Crown XLS1002 has a clean design which obviously has gone through proper design and certification reviews. While I wish a better grade capacitor was used in the power supply and from a better brand, given the incredibly low price of this amplifier it is fine.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
I know what some of you are thinking. "Amir doesn't really have a garden. He must be buying a bit of fruit here and there and pretend he does." Well, feast your eyes on the harvest from early in the week in pouring rain:
And there was a box of apple on the seat of the Quad! Had just picked the Zucchini a week ago but of course they grow like mad. Those huge ones have been sliced and are drying in the dehydrator as I type this. 14 jars of pear were preserved yesterday in syrup. I make everything from smoothies to sorbet with them.
As usual, I could use all the money I can pocket from you all so please donate using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
A single board contains the entire guts of the machine, sans the front panel display. Using one board lowers labor cost and increases reliability due to elimination of cables. Down side is that if you are going to do a board swap, you are basically replacing everything which likely will cost as much as buying a new amp!
Overall layout is quite logical and nice. Right side has beefy noise and EMI filtering. Once past that, the AC voltage is converted to DC, rectified, filters and then switched at high frequencies. The high frequency allows much smaller inductors to be used than the 50/60 Hz Mains transformers. The switched signal is then converted back to lower voltage DC with rectification, filtering and regulation.
The power supply then feeds the amplifier on the left, the heart of which is the TI controller:
You can buy the TI SN6112B5 ($7 in quantity) but there is no spec for it. It was a joint development between Harman and TI and likely kept as a proprietary part.
Output duty is performed by a pair of transistors on the diagonal heatsinks. They get decent air flow from the fan but obviously not optimal given the inductors that are in the way. Still, they likely do the job.
I don't like the pair of capacitors next to it which are part of the power supply. They are only rated at 85 degree C and in fwclose proximity to those heatsinks:
If there was no fan, I would say this amp/capacitor would not last long. But seeing how the fan did not even come on and the unit ran very cool, it should be OK. In a commercial install though with uncontrolled environment, it will likely die.
For completeness, there is another pair of caps from another low tier manufacturer in the power supply:
This one is well away from heat sources and the brand seems OK so should be fine.
I was impressed with the design of these beefy binding post connectors:
These things are designed to a) stay connected and b) carry a ton of current.
Conclusions
The Crown XLS1002 has a clean design which obviously has gone through proper design and certification reviews. While I wish a better grade capacitor was used in the power supply and from a better brand, given the incredibly low price of this amplifier it is fine.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
I know what some of you are thinking. "Amir doesn't really have a garden. He must be buying a bit of fruit here and there and pretend he does." Well, feast your eyes on the harvest from early in the week in pouring rain:
And there was a box of apple on the seat of the Quad! Had just picked the Zucchini a week ago but of course they grow like mad. Those huge ones have been sliced and are drying in the dehydrator as I type this. 14 jars of pear were preserved yesterday in syrup. I make everything from smoothies to sorbet with them.
As usual, I could use all the money I can pocket from you all so please donate using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
