Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $267
Budget/Beginner
$299
$1500+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Crown DC-300A is a powerhouse in the realm of power amplifiers, renowned for its reliability and robust performance in live sound and stage applications. Originally introduced decades ago, it remains a classic choice among audio professionals, revered for its ability to deliver clear, distortion-free sound even at high output levels. Its solid construction and efficient design have made it a staple in both small venues and large-scale productions, ensuring your music is heard with precision and clarity.
What sets the DC-300A apart is its high-efficiency Class AB circuitry, which provides consistent power across its entire frequency range. This means whether you're amplifying delicate acoustic performances or driving heavy bass lines, the DC-300A faithfully reproduces your sound without loss of detail. It features dual-channel capability, allowing for versatile setups, and is equipped with comprehensive protection circuits to safeguard against overloads and short circuits.
The DC-300A's user-friendly interface includes front-panel gain controls and status indicators, making it easy to monitor and adjust your settings on the fly. Its reputation for durability is backed by a history of performance in demanding environments, making it a trusted choice for serious musicians and sound engineers alike.
Key Features:
- Class AB circuitry for efficient power delivery
- Dual-channel configuration for versatile setups
- Comprehensive protection circuits for overload and short circuit prevention
- Front-panel gain controls for easy operation
- Renowned for reliability and clear sound reproduction in live settings
Product specs
| Brand | Crown |
| Model | DC 300A 2-Channel Power Amplifier |
| Finish | Silver |
| Year | 1970s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Power Amplifiers |
| Electronics | Analog, Solid State |
| Format | 19-inch Rackmount |
| Number of Analog Inputs | 2 |
| Number of Channels | 2 |
FAQs
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What are the main features of the Crown DC-300A power amplifier?
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The Crown DC-300A is a solid-state, 2-channel power amplifier known for its clear sound reproduction and reliability. It features a 19-inch rackmount format with front-panel gain controls, making it ideal for live sound applications.
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Is the Crown DC-300A suitable for live sound applications?
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Yes, the Crown DC-300A is well-regarded for its performance in live sound settings, offering reliable and clear sound reproduction with easy-to-use front-panel gain controls.
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How many channels does the Crown DC-300A power amplifier have?
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The Crown DC-300A features two channels, allowing for versatile audio applications in both live and studio environments.
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What type of inputs does the Crown DC-300A have?
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The Crown DC-300A power amplifier includes two analog inputs, accommodating various audio sources for professional sound reinforcement.
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What is the format and build of the Crown DC-300A?
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The Crown DC-300A is designed as a 19-inch rackmount power amplifier, which is ideal for integration into standard audio racks used in professional audio setups.
Videos
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Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Crown DC-300A.
Use cases and applications
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Known for delivering a "hard & steely" sound, making it suitable for robust PA system applications.
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Consider using the DC300A as a main amplifier due to its robust performance, unless a more modern amp is available for subwoofer duties.
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Suitable for use with audio sources like Tidal/FLAC through a DAC, indicating compatibility with high-quality digital audio setups.
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Features and functionality
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Capable of being used as 400w monoblocks, providing significant power output for live sound reinforcement.
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Value and pricing
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Considered a good deal at $90 for its power capabilities, often highlighted as a budget-friendly option for powerful amplification.
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A DC300A listed for $100 seems tempting but has been on sale for over a month, indicating it might be overpriced or underpowered for certain applications.
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At 400€, a properly serviced unit is considered a bargain by some users.
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Comparisons
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Often compared to other PA-focused gear for its robust power delivery, though tonal quality may differ from modern expectations.
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Setup and maintenance
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Old Crown amps like the DC300A are rated for 8 ohms in dual channel and 16 ohms in bridged mono, not ideal for 4-ohm subwoofers.
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User experience
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The DC300A lacks a fan, eliminating fan noise, but some users note a slight transformer hum in silent environments.
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Mods and upgrades
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Concerns about potential speaker damage from DC current suggest installing a DC protector if using the DC300A with sensitive speakers.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this article from International Musician magazine (reproduced on Sting's official website), long-serving tech Danny Quatrochi explains that Sting has used a Crown DC-300A for the mid-hi portion of his bass signal.
Used with Parliament and Funkadelic, as mentioned by Collins in this excerpt from a 1979 Guitar Player interview as transcribed TalkBass here and here from a reprint in Bass Heroes: Styles, Stories & Secrets of 30 Great Bass Players.
What kind of amps do you use in your setup?
The entire system is divided into three different parts - high, mid, and low. But we're not just talking about amplification, we're talking about the effects in each part. On my highs I use a Big Muff fuzz, a Mu-tron III [envelope-following filter], an MXR digital delay, a Morley Fuzz/Wah, a Morley Power Wah, and an Eventide Harmonizer. The Harmonizer sits in a case that looks like R2D2 from Star Wars. It looks just like a little robot, so I call it R2FunkU. There's a sign hanging on it that says, "Can I Play?" Inside of it, there's also a keyboard for the Harmonizer that enables me to preset harmonized intervals to what I'm playing. That way I can play a note and have a fifth or a third coming out at the same time.
All of that equipment just for the highs?
Right. For the mids, I have a Big Muff fuzz, a Mu-tron III, and an MXR digital delay. On the lows, I use a Mu-tron Octave Divider, two Roland Space Echos, a Big Muff fuzz, and a Mu-tron III. I keep all my effects in one box called the Space Case. The highs and mids each have an Alembic preamp, two Crown DC-300A amps, and four Cerwin-Vega speaker cabinets.
What's in each cabinet?
The cabinets used for the highs are called V-32s. They have two 12s, one midrange horn, and two tweeters. The midrange cabinets are basically the same, except there's one 15" speaker instead of two 12s. Those are called V-34s. On the bottom end are three Acoustic 370 heads and six Cerwin-Vega cabinets. Two have one 18" speaker and one 12", two more have an 18 and a 10, and two have one 18" and an 8.
Isn't that a lot of equipment for onstage?
I don't play it that loud. I've just got it there so that I don't have to strain the equipment and everybody can hear. As a matter of fact, the whole stage is set up like that. The guitar player, the keyboard player, everybody is set up like that so there is no real strain.
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Featured in this Instagram post by Neil Citron.
My new/old Crown amp from George Duke's Studio. History baby!
He says he used this from 1978-1983 on the source.
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Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Crown DC-300A, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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