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We are reeltoreeltech dot com. We primarily buy, sell and repair reel to reel tape decks of all kinds, from tube mono machines to 2" 24 track studio decks, but from time to time we end up getting related consumer and pro audio gear when we buy tape decks.This rare top of the line Crown DL-2 preamp came from our 'Texas Barn Find' from 3 years ago (see the 'news' section of our website for more details. We actually ended up with 6 of these units, sold 5 of them in the last couple of years, and then unearthed this one in a box that we hadn't opened yet.This preamp and power supply are actually in the best cosmetic condition, somewhat better than the other ones we've already sold. There's some minor marks from normal use, but overall it presents very well as the centerpiece of any vintage stereo.The preamp has a total of 8 inputs, including 3 tape deck inputs and outputs, with switching and routing so you can copy tapes right from the front panel of the preamp. It has a semi-parametric eq on it, with the frequency point switchable on bass, mid, and treble. Also unique to this preamp is that all rotary and slide controls are actually high quality switches. No carbon traces to wear out! The exception is the panoramic controls, which are indeed industrial grade pots. This preamp hadn't been powered up in years, and it had a couple of minor issues when we turned it on. One channel was lower in gain than the other by about 50%, which turned out to be a bad CMOS switching chip. We replaced it with a new one from Mouser. All of the switches were somewhat noisy, so we cleaned them with DeOxIt, and they cleaned right up.We tested all inputs and outputs, and all controls, and they are flawless.Note that this preamp does not have a phono preamp built in. They were an option with this unit, so the phono inputs are auxiliary levels at this point. Original Crown phono preamps are available often on that auction website for cheap, or you can add any magnetic phono preamp of your choice behind the Crown if you'd like.The preamp also has two processor loops, to add an equalizer or a delay unit, and it has two outputs, switchable on the front.Not many of these units were sold by Crown, and they did make amps, a crossover and an eq as well in this same line of stereos. We don't have any other Crown units in this series, this preamp is the last one I've got.We know how to pack and ship these, and the unit will arrive in the condition stated.
This is a serious, historically respected preamp, and the asking price is very ambitious. Against your own market anchor, US$2,000 sits well above the 75th percentile of US$598 and far over the median US$275, so it reads as a premium ask unless the service work is exceptionally thorough and documented.
What makes it worth a look is the DL-2’s reputation as a high-end, tightly engineered vintage controller with real collector appeal, and “serviced” can matter a lot on an older piece like this. At this level, a buyer should want proof of what was done, confirmation that all functions are stable, and a clear inventory of any missing modules or accessories; without that, the price is hard to justify even for a standout example.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Crown Audio traces its origins to 1947 in Elkhart, Indiana, where minister and radio enthusiast Clarence C. Moore, alongside his wife Ruby, founded the International Radio and Electronics Corporation (IREC) in a converted chicken coop. Initially focused on rugged open-reel tape recorders for missionaries in remote regions, the company pioneered innovations like the world's first tape recorder with a built-in power amplifier in 1949. Ruby's suggestion in the 1960s led to the adoption of the Crown name, inspired by the crown emblems on their 'Royal' and 'Imperial' models, with the corporation officially renaming to Crown International, Inc. in 1975.
The brand shifted from tape recorders and compact loudspeakers in the 1950s to standalone tube power amplifiers by 1959, cementing its expertise in professional amplification. Crown became renowned for groundbreaking products like the DC300 in 1968—the first high-power solid-state amplifier—and the M600/M2000 in 1972, featuring patented technologies such as the ground-bridge circuit. Today, under Harman International since its 2000 acquisition, Crown specializes in high-output amplifiers for touring rigs, cinema venues, installed systems, portable PA, and commercial audio, prioritizing reliability and innovation over consumer categories like speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables.
Crown holds a commanding position as a pro-audio powerhouse, trusted by industry leaders for its durable, high-performance amplifiers that define live sound and installation standards. Far from high-end audiophile or vintage collector fare, it dominates the professional market with over 75 years of technical milestones, though recent production shifts to Mexico reflect ongoing evolution. For the discerning hi-fi buyer eyeing pro-grade power, Crown delivers uncompromised authority.
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