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New, this was a serious 2U installation amplifier rather than a budget hi-fi component, with 300 watts per channel and flexible 70V/100V or low-impedance operation. At US$100, it is a strong bargain: that is below the US$134 25th-percentile comparable, and well under the US$286 median from 148 recent listings.
Its appeal is practical muscle and versatility. The CTs 600 offers clean, powerful two-channel output, high damping, balanced inputs, robust protection, and the ability to drive either conventional speakers or distributed-audio systems. The rackmount format and fan cooling suit utility systems more than a quiet living room, but at this price the value is excellent if it powers up properly. Confirm both channels, fan noise, input/output connectors, and the intended impedance or constant-voltage mode before buying.
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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