soundcraftsmen pcr 800 [Archive]

POLKHT

07-29-2005, 01:58 AM

A friend of mine just picked up a soundcraftsmen pcr 800. Was wondering if there are any thoughts on this amp? Is it any good? He also has a Marantz SR-19 and was wondering would he gain anything by using this amp and the SR-19 as a pre. Or would it be the same as using the power from the receiver.

Thanks

VR3

07-29-2005, 03:50 AM

It has a very loud fan. (see below at its massiveness)

steveinaz

07-29-2005, 09:49 AM

Soundcraftsmen amps are workhorses. They'll drive just about anything, without strain. They have a very warm sound quality to them that cures alot of "digital harshness." It'll probably still be running when you an I are both in the "oxygen free" zone....

I owned 2 PM-840's for 16 years of flawless operation---they were both later sold to folk's on this board. The PCR-800 is very similar to the PM-840, but I think the PCR uses 1/4" phono jacks right?

madmax

07-29-2005, 01:39 PM

They are VERY good amps given the price. Not top of the line but very good. I found mine slightly more noisy than its big brothers but nothing to really speak of. Real work horses. It will have a better output than any of the receivers out there.
madmax

VR3

07-29-2005, 01:48 PM

Mine had a ton of problems. Mainly because the fan probally hadnt worked in years before I fixed it.

When it wasnt over-heating and shutting down, it had a very nice and smooth sound.

Dosnt change the fact that quiet passages in music were no longer quiet. That fan, at higher volumes is freaking LOUD. I'm talking in excess of 60-70 db. Wowzers...

What is so wrong with effing vents?

PCR 800 fan -
http://www.nisco.net/nybimg03.jpg
http://www.nisco.net/nybimg04.jpg
http://www.nisco.net/nybimg06.jpg

ND13

07-29-2005, 01:52 PM

So Sid, what are you trying to say?;) :D

jdhdiggs

07-29-2005, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by ND13
So Sid, what are you trying to say?;) :D

Apeerantly that he doesn't like big fans...

BrentMcGhee

07-29-2005, 02:18 PM

Good GOD!! that thing is ginormous! does the fan really produce up to 70db of noise at louder passages though :(

VR3

07-29-2005, 02:20 PM

Its pretty good when its down low, or not playing any music (which the fan still runs btw - even with nothing is on). The thing cranks it out like 24/7. But once you cross the relm of about..... 90db - that thing is wailing like a tornado.

Wanna talk about ruining songs where the instruments stop and the singer kicks in, vice versa. That lil puppy can do it!

http://www.nisco.net/nyb_ah2.jpg

madmax

07-29-2005, 02:26 PM

Sid,
So you're saying it has a fan in it? Mine was fairly quiet. Are you sure the vacuum cleaner wasn't on or something?
madmax

VR3

07-29-2005, 02:28 PM

It was very loud.

The thing has one vent, in the very front.... and the fan fires out the back so it draws the air out of the amp. So, we must ask ourselves - how much is this vent in the FRONT doing when the air is being drawn to the back by a windmill of death?

I'd also like to note that my Adcom GFA-545 kicked its @$$.

Also would like to note mine had some issues... ran very hot and shut down... ugh

http://www.nisco.net/ilg_ubc.jpg

^^ That is a COOL looking fan. Lethal looking almost.

ND13

07-29-2005, 02:36 PM

So Sid, what are trying to tell us?:D

madmax

07-29-2005, 03:02 PM

From what I can gather the unit may have a fan in it. :confused:
madmax

VR3

07-29-2005, 03:10 PM

A *loud* fan! ;)

But in all seriousness...

My unit gave me alot of problems and may have been defective. I'm sure it p\/\/n3D and all that when it runs properly. Just make sure to check that that fan is operating!

It had a very smooth sound.

One last fan picture...

http://www.nisco.net/acimg08.jpg

steveinaz

07-29-2005, 03:17 PM

I could not hear my PM-840 fans, at all. Sounds like YOUR amp had been bypassed somehow to have the fans on high constantly. The fans are varible speed, and only speed up when needed---which is rarely in an amp that doesn't have another problem.

madmax

07-29-2005, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
p\/\/n3D

:confused: :confused: :confused:

VR3

07-29-2005, 03:30 PM

Sounds like YOUR amp had been bypassed somehow to have the fans on high constantly. The fans are varible speed, and only speed up when needed---which is rarely in an amp that doesn't have another problem.

My unit gave me alot of problems and may have been defective. I'm sure it p\/\/n3D and all that when it runs properly. Just make sure to check that that fan is operating!

Also would like to note mine had some issues... ran very hot and shut down... ugh

Mine had a ton of problems. Mainly because the fan probally hadnt worked in years before I fixed it.

When it wasnt over-heating and shutting down, it had a very nice and smooth sound.

p\/\/n3D

Owned.

steveinaz

07-29-2005, 03:59 PM

Ahhh, I see. Your amp had serious issues, so all Soundcraftsmen PCR's are dogs.

I get it.

Drop and give me 50, crotch rot. :D

VR3

07-29-2005, 04:00 PM

Now see....

I never really said they are bad.

I said they have a fan, that could potentially be loud.

Which, in my case - it was VERY loud at higher volumes. As I said...

At lower volumes, for me, it worked like a charm.

steveinaz

07-29-2005, 04:14 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/SOUNDCRAFTSMEN-MODEL-A5002-CLASS-H-AMPLIFIER-250WPC_W0QQitemZ5793293362QQcategoryZ39783QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Now THERE you go. Last amp you'll ever need.

brettw22

07-29-2005, 04:24 PM

Link not working steve.....

steveinaz

07-29-2005, 04:31 PM

damn...it's a Soundcraftsmen A5002 amp. In VERY GOOD condition.

steveinaz

07-29-2005, 04:32 PM

Search "Soundcraftsmen" under consumer electronics

VR3

07-29-2005, 04:33 PM

I was pretty impressed with the Class H (?) series amp I heard. Model number slips my mind.

But it had DUAL loud fans...

*save me*

I know what amp you are talking about though, it has no fans and it looks killer.

ND13

07-29-2005, 04:53 PM

Oh I see, the amp has a fan in it that's sorta loud.;) :p

Guys and gals, ya'll have a nice weekend.

madmax

07-29-2005, 05:01 PM

Sid,
You should get a big fan and put on your current amplifier to make sure it stays cool like the Soundcraftsmen.

I still don't know what the p\/\/n3D means.

madmax

VR3

07-29-2005, 05:03 PM

P\/\/n3D = OWNED

My current amp dosnt run hot! The back left corner of my amp runs mediocre warm. The right side is a freezer.

It dont need no effing fans...

Effing Soundcraftsmen... no vents - :o

gidrah

07-30-2005, 02:31 AM

I've got a pair of the PCR-800s. 600w/ch in bridged mono. I have 2 different models, one fan is louder than the other, but neither one is offensive.

faster100

07-30-2005, 09:41 AM

They look cool, but also very aged... thier are plenty of newer amps that will last as long or longer for around the same price. IMO with amps that old you are asking for a problem to arise that may not be able to be fixed.. I love vintage stuff and tubes but some of that old SS gear scares me :)

POLKHT

07-30-2005, 02:30 PM

Thanks for the feedback. It seems this is a decent amp other than mayba a loud fan and its age.

Will using this amp be better than using the power from the Marantz SR-19.
Will the amp sound better than the Marantz?

madmax

07-30-2005, 05:18 PM

P\/\/n3D = OWNED

Why?

TheReaper

07-30-2005, 08:28 PM

Why?
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/children/kidtalk.mspx

VR3

07-30-2005, 08:33 PM

THAT... is the funniest page on Microsoft's site... haha

I have a friend that talks Leet Speek, and sadly... a few of his annoying things have wore off on me...

p\/\/n3D and roxor... regular typing for me now pretty much...

TheReaper

07-30-2005, 08:57 PM

That page is a little off, but you do get the general idea. The number substitution thing started back when numeric pagers first became cheap. My daughter and her friends would send each other messages all encoded in numbers.

madmax

08-01-2005, 01:37 PM

So now I know why. I just don't know WHY. I guess it is a good hide if you can't spell or if you just like using your decoder ring...
madmax

00p225

08-01-2005, 09:24 PM

I can't say anything about the pcr-800, but I have one of Steveinaz's old pm-840's, and the only time your hear the fan is when you push it hard. Even then it's not very loud at all. They also sound the way an amp should, not changing the music, but just very neutral. My PM-840 trounces my McIntosh MC-2100. It's more transparent, faster, soundstages wider and great has highs without glare. If the PCR-800 is even close, they are a bargain. Seriously, I'll never sell mine. Sure, there are better amps out there, lots of them, but for what these usually cost? I don't know. I will say, they really opened up the soundstage on my Polk SDA-1C's they way none of my other amps did, including some very nice tube equipment. :)

bigaudiofanatic

12-24-2009, 04:45 PM

I found myself getting a PM asking is I would like to buy a Soundcraftsmen PCR800. Should I grab it or is it that noisy?

Pycroft

12-24-2009, 08:07 PM

Bigaudiofanatic -

I think it would help if you let everyone know how you will be using it...will it be for home theatre with your current setup in the signature? You mentioned different speakers to me that you have listed.

I am the one who would be selling my Soundcraftsmen PCR800. It is currently powering my new SDA 1C's and I think it does a great job, and the fan has never been an issue. I'm sure he is looking for other experiences.

James