Crane Song Avocet

[Matt Sartori]

Hello,
I am in the market for the above mind blowing monitor controller but I am looking for a second hand one.

Does anybody know the difference between the Revision 1 and Revision 2 of it?
I did some research but no luck...


thank you,
Mattia.

[sintech]

Version 2 has a 'light pipe' digital input over V1's Multiple AES and SPDIF inputs, but that's no sweat.. got and ADAT to SPDIF box from eBay, and that worked great. :-)))

The early remotes didn't have the surround options.

[sintech]

You're 100% right about buying used, mine was half the price of the UK retail, via Gearsluts classifieds :-)))

[Matt Sartori]

ok I thought there were also hardware updates on V2 like less jitter or something?

Mattia.

[sintech]

V2 has a newer converter

[waltzingbear]

He made portions of the unit modular so he could upgrade them easily. Such as the DAC. There are at least two versions of the DAC, not sure if there is a third one yet, seem to vaguely remember hearing a new one may be on the way. Dave's update prices have always been reasonable.

Very useful piece of kit for me. What I do most of my AB comparing thru. Before I had it it was pretty much a PITA. But if you have a SSL board, you have that built into your center section already!

Alan

[Matt Sartori]

He made portions of the unit modular so he could upgrade them easily. Such as the DAC. There are at least two versions of the DAC, not sure if there is a third one yet, seem to vaguely remember hearing a new one may be on the way. Dave's update prices have always been reasonable.

Very useful piece of kit for me. What I do most of my AB comparing thru. Before I had it it was pretty much a PITA. But if you have a SSL board, you have that built into your center section already!

Alan

I Alan,
I have wrote to Crane song a while ago asking for prices on updates but no reply...
how did you get  the updates, from them directly or through a dealer?

Best,
Mattia.

[waltzingbear]

thats odd, they have been very good in the past about customer relations.

heck, half the time Dave answers if you call the company.

I believe it would be thru the company, but I live the in the US, it may be different for you, but I doubt it.

try sending another email.

Alan

[sintech]

It's actually very confusing what is a version one, and version two. and the like....

The version one/or very early remote had no surround buttons.. so I think that's V1, and the V2 has the buttons on the top to control extra mainframes.

At some point.. around version software 4, the V2 mainframe came about. The differences.. a better converter..and changing the rear metalwork, adding an Optical input.

But as Alan has pointed out, they just made a plugin card format, for user upgrades.

Have a late V1 mainframe with the  V2 surround ready controller, and use a small box to covert my optical to AES (just for the computer desktop/itunes) Must say, the converter is great! heheh

Over all, the manuals are very badly written, and it's taken a while to navigate all the hidden stuff... but it's all good!

[waltzingbear]

Mattia,

see the manual on line, page 35 and 36 for descriptions of which versions are which. Includes which DAs are modular and such.

[waltzingbear]

also just saw this there

"Upgrades
Upgrades are factory direct only in the US and in the rest of the world by the local Crane Song
distrubition company."

REV7 FIRMWARE, REV7 D/A
Sarting with the rev 7 D/A board rev 7 firm ware is installed in both the main unit and the remote.
both units must contain the same rev.
If a rev4 or later system has this frimware installed it should be fine.
In other words rev4 and later main boards with the surround remote will run rev7 firmware
The remote must be a surround version
In order to upgrade to the rev7 D/A
the wrap need to change, the digital out requires an extra hole.
This D/A is in units starting with Sn. A683041. The rev7 D/A has the same time delay as as the rev6
and later D/A so they can be mixed in a surround system.
However only rev7 and later has the metering digital output.
THE CHANGES
1. Output #3 can work in parallel with outputs 1 or 2. This is for thoese who need only 2 outputs
and have the desire to turn a sub woofer on or off, the OUT 3 button cab be programmed to allow this
type of operation. Note that when setting up the type of speaker system, stereo or surround, the
system switches to non sub woofer mode. You will then need to reset this mode if you desire it.
At this time, there is not any writting on the front panel for this function
2. The remote talk input is now non latching. This is available on the db 25 connector.
The talk button on the remote will latch if pushed for less than 0.5 seconds, If it is held
for more than 0.5 seconds it will be non latching. The remote input and the button on the remote can
over ride each other.
3. A digital meter output has been added. This is an AES output on a DB-9 connector
which also allows of meter sync in surround mode. It requires a specially made cable


anyway, you need to get in touch with the English rep.


Alan

[Matt Sartori]

thank you for this, I will!

Mattia.

[Matt Sartori]

while looking for one I found a Grace design 904 for a very good price and bought it!
what a brilliant unit this is too!

M.

[waltzingbear]

have friends with that one too, excellent kit.

Alan