Loud Crown Macro-Tech 1200

[saloonstudios]

I've had this thing for awhile but don't have a point of reference on these- I've mostly used this outside and in the garage for loud volume stuff, but I want to move it into the living room for HT duty. The fans are way too loud for cinema use. Is this typical of this model or should I look into replacing the fans?

[Ron K]

Typical for Crowns. replacing the fans with the same CFM would be my only recommendation. However finding one in a low noise version that fits is yet another dilemma.

What I would do is sell it on E-bay and buy an older K2 or try and find some Hafler amps like the trans novas or DH amps.Lots of folks like these in studios because they are quiet and sound very nice while providing plenty of output.

Another one to look for is some old SAEs. Another great studio amp. Old Crown DC300s work well too as they are completely convection cooled and very relaible.

[bgavin]

Deeper fans will move the same amount of air at a slower RPM.
For example, a 38mm thick 92mm can turn slower than a 25mm thickness, and move the same air.

If your fan is 12 VDC powered, you can buy a $6 Zalman variable resistor fan control for testing.
These come with the regular computer 0.1 pin connectors, but are easily adaptable.
For $6, it is cheap entertainment.

HT use implies a cooler operating environment than Sacramento, outdoors, in August.
This is where the full bore fan is really required. Inside for HT, not nearly as much.

You might get lucky and be able to identify the hot running points inside your amp, and then have space by them for a helper fan. These can run faster internally to cool the hot spot, without making as much noise as an exit-mounted fan.
The helper fan stirs up the heat, and the exit fan pulls it out.

[macrotechsoundman]

The Ma-1200 fan is loud because it runs all the time, the fan windings are also part of the low voltage power supply, so replacing the fan motor with just a fan will render the amp non operational. This series of amp was designed for touring/live sound, what you want is either a DCA300, PS400, something from either the comtech or CTs series, or an ITech/ITHD, XLS drive core, XLS II, K or XTi series. All of the amps suggested either have no fans (convection cooled), or have variable speed on demand fans.

[saloonstudios]

Thanks-
I probably should've updated, but I sold the macro tech and got 3 amps to replace it-
XLS402d
XLS1000
and some 1RU Fender amp that's near silent for my studio-