Crown Audio at LV Guitars
Crown Audio has been a cornerstone of professional amplification for decades, trusted by the engineers, system integrators, and touring crews who demand nothing less than clean, reliable power night after night. At LV Guitars, we carry a deep selection of Crown amplifiers built for the real world — from fixed installs in houses of worship and corporate venues to the unforgiving demands of live touring rigs.
Whether the job calls for a networked multi-channel install, a Dante-enabled distributed system, or a straightforward analog workhorse, Crown's lineup covers the full range of professional audio applications with the kind of proven track record that keeps it on the short list of every serious sound engineer.
The Crown Audio Story
Crown International, now part of the Harman Professional family, built its reputation on amplifier innovation that consistently pushed the boundaries of power, efficiency, and reliability. Long before digital signal processing became standard, Crown was engineering amplifiers that set the benchmark for low-noise, high-headroom performance — products that found their way into broadcast facilities, major concert tours, and permanent installations around the world. Their proprietary DriveCore technology marked a significant leap forward, delivering Class-D efficiency without sacrificing the sonic quality that demanding applications require.
Today, Crown's DCi series represents the current state of that evolution: multi-channel amplifiers with deep DSP integration, flexible network control via HiQnet and BLU-Link, and native Dante audio networking — a combination that makes them equally at home in a sophisticated installed system and a high-output live reinforcement rig. That longevity and adaptability across markets is a direct reflection of the engineering culture Crown has maintained throughout its history.
What Crown Is Known For
- DriveCore amplifier technology delivering high efficiency with professional-grade audio fidelity
- Multi-channel DCi amplifiers purpose-built for installed sound systems, distributed audio, and live reinforcement
- Native Dante audio networking for flexible, low-latency digital signal routing in complex system architectures
- HiQnet and web-based control for comprehensive remote monitoring and management of installed amplifier systems
- 70V/100V constant-voltage support enabling large-scale distributed speaker deployments in commercial and install environments
- Scalable channel counts and power classes — from 4-channel to 8-channel configurations — that adapt to a wide range of venue sizes and system demands
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crown's DCi series and who is it designed for?
The DCi series is Crown's professional installation amplifier line, engineered for system integrators, AV installers, and live-sound engineers who need reliable multi-channel power with built-in DSP and flexible network control. The amplifiers are well-suited for houses of worship, corporate AV installs, performance venues, and touring rigs that require sophisticated signal processing and remote management.
What is the difference between the Analog, Network, and Dante versions of the DCi amplifiers?
The Analog models provide traditional analog audio inputs and onboard DSP without network audio transport. The Network models add HiQnet and web-based control for remote monitoring and system management over a standard IT network. The Dante models go a step further, supporting Dante audio-over-IP networking so audio can be routed digitally across the network alongside control data — a significant advantage in complex installed systems or large live-sound rigs with many audio channels.
What is DriveCore technology and why does it matter?
DriveCore is Crown's proprietary amplifier architecture that integrates the driver and output stage onto a single chip. The result is a Class-D design that achieves very high power efficiency — meaning less heat, a more compact chassis, and lower operating costs — while maintaining the audio performance levels expected in professional applications. It's a key reason Crown amplifiers pack serious power into rack-friendly form factors.
Can Crown DCi amplifiers be used for 70V or 100V distributed speaker systems?
Yes. Crown DCi amplifiers support 70V and 100V constant-voltage operation, making them a practical choice for large-format distributed audio installations such as retail environments, convention centers, stadiums, and houses of worship where many speakers need to be driven from a single amplifier channel over long cable runs.
What is BLU-Link and how does it factor into a Crown system?
BLU-Link is a high-channel-count digital audio bus developed within the Harman ecosystem that allows Crown DCi amplifiers to connect directly with compatible Harman signal processors, enabling tightly integrated system architectures. For installers already working in the BSS or Soundcraft ecosystem, BLU-Link connectivity simplifies system design and reduces the number of signal conversion points in the chain.