Parasound Owners Thread - Page 4

I've heard that before from Parasound...

P7 arrived yesterday--got to listen to it for a little while last night. Compared to the NuForce AVP17, and the Arcam AVP700, I will say that last night I was listening to the music and not the system.

Don't like the way way they arrange various multichannel inputs and outputs, but I can deal with that. I do miss the Nuforce ability to adjust center channel on the fly, but I'm keeping it in the loop for TV inputs, so I'll be able to adjust CC for TV viewing.

Just for the benefit of those who does not know that parasound jc2 preamp will be coming out with an ht bypass feature. I have been looking for a dedicated preamp with ht bypass for my 2 channel audio listening. Now, there is no need for me to upgrade my pioneer 84 av receiver that i use for HT. I use my ps3 to do the decoding anyway. Target month is november of this year as per parasound.

TY parasound. I will be a very happy camper come november.

now if we could only get psound to make an upgrade board for c1/c owners to add c3 functionality...i suppose thats way too much to ask....seems like without hdmi/eq/codecs it would need to be a near total gutjob--although if it could be done for 1200 id pay that for it...

I've been using the HCA-2205A since '02. Its really a great amp, connected to a HK AVR 635, a very good combo.
As for any AVR upgrade, although I really like Parasound's quality, I don't want to give up HK's Logic 7 processing by replacing with a Parasound, or any other brand. I prefer L7 over DD for movies, and really like L7 music for listening to the Music Choice channels via C-band.

For my TT system, I'm using HK Citation Eleven pre-amp/Citation 19 power amp.

Also been looking at the Parasound 2100 pre-amp w/HT by-pass. From what I've been reading, its a very good pre-amp. I wouldn't expect anything less from Parasound. I'd like to compare it to the Citation.

So, I'm looking at the following to drive my Dynaudio Contour 3.4s in a large room (one big open floor plan, but listening area is 18x15x12 - listening area 3200cu ft; whole room 8000cu ft):

1) 8 year old Parasound HCA-1500A for 400 bucks.
2) Approx. 5 year old Anthem MCA 20 for 600 bucks
3) Approx. 10 year old Bryston 3b-st for 800 bucks.

All in immaculate condition.....concern with bryston is if it has enough balls.

What do you all think?

I've been using a Parasound Halo A51 along with an NAD T175 surround-processor to drive Monitor Audio GS-Series speakers. I'm very happy!

5 channel A51 is over my weight limit (of roughly > 65lbs).

So I run a Parasound Halo stereo A21 (less weight than the 5 channel A51 and may or may not be "better").

Together with a 3-channel amp to run the center and surrounds. Somewhat more space demanding and also clunkier. But lends itself to 2 channel music listening which is what I do 80+% of the time.

Cheers

Heavy weight of the HCA-2205A @ 85dlbs is why its on the top of my equipment rack.

I have a 7100 Classic with a 2205-A...couldn't be happier. I also have a Pioneer Premier 05-FD Blu-ray player that's connected to the 7100 via analog for DTS-HDMA/Dolby TrueHD. Anyone planning to upgrade from a 7100 to an HDP70? The sound is so phenomenal on my 7100 via analog, I can't imagine it would be much of a change to bitstream via HDMI. Perhaps I'm wrong.

Most people on this thread has the heavy weight equipment (nothing wrong with that). Where are all the new classic owners?

***thread have the***

Hi all.

I've had an AVC-1800 and HCA 2205A for about 8 years. Very pleased with the equipment, especially the amp.

Looking forward to reading more about the NC equipment coming out soon.

-S

Nice setup and pics. You're brave to have the A51 sitting on top. I'm having mine at the bottom; way to top heavy!

We're here. I have a question on bi-amping with the new classic amps. I have a 7100 pre-amp with a 2250 and 5125 for a 5.1 HT setup. Currently the main speakers are on the 2250. The Main speakers are a pair of Mirage OMD-28's which could be tri-amped. I was wondering how much a difference it would be to bi-amp them with the 250w powering the woofers and 125w channel powering the mid & tweeter. Would this improve my setup versus powering the entire speaker with the 250w amp?

As they're rated to 300w and the main amp is ony 250w you're certainly not over powering them right now. Bi-amping is really nothing more than adding more power. Give a try.
Some will say the only real benefit to bi-amp is when you use an active crossover, instead of the passive crossover. But even with the passive, its never a bad thing to add more power.

yeah, that's what I thought initially (before I purchased the A51). So I bought a BDI Axis style rack, these racks are exceptionally well designed pieces in every way (ie. mechanically, aesthetically, and functionally):
http://images.buzzillions.com/images...335880_raw.jpg

I bought BDI Axis racks because they have very high pay-load capability- Ie.
Overall: 48.5"H x 31"W x 26"D
Top Shelf Capacity: 150 lbs
Adjustable Shelf Capacity: 75 lbs
13 different options for shelf adjustment: 1/4"-1/2" apart
Bottom Shelf Capacity: 150 lbs
Frame Opening: 40"H x 19"W
Usable Shelf Depth: 19"

Also has very good depth. Although the Halo A51 is exceptionally deep (compared to most multi-channel amp designs). My plan was to postion it (logically) on the bottom shelf. However the rear panel was butted completely against the rear panel- not good! Also the front face overhung over the front of the rack- not good (I think)! So I had my delivery guy place it on the very top shelf. I was'nt too happy to do this at first especially for wiring. Bui I'm glad I did, I think the amp has the best cooling capability this way.


I would imagine they are equal in performance? I listen to 2ch (CD and SACD) probably 80%. I actually thought about getting an A21 in the future when I go to a 7.1 system.


which 3-channel amp are you using?

actually I like it at the top now. At first I was planning to install at bottom, but was too deep.

+1

You can consider to get a A23 for your rear speakers (depends on how much amp your rear speakers need). Basically the A23 is similar to the A21 but then with less power (125w@8ohm compared to 250w@8ohm). So my A51 is running my front L/R, Center, side L/R and the A21 my rear L/R (which are smaller Kef Q15 speakers that only require 100W@6ohm)... Just a thought!

I will make some pictures soon and upload them: I have the Parasound A51/A23 amps, Lexicon MC-8/Marantz AV8003 pre-amps, Toshiba HD-XA2 SD/HD DVD, Panasonic BD35 BR, Monster HTS3500 Power, SA8300HD DVR and a Sirius Stiletto 2 Radio sitting in a VTI BLG-404 rack...

yeah, that's true


how do you like the Marantz AV8003 processor? I came very close to getting one, thought it would be a great match with the Parasound Halo amps.Have you experienced any "popping" occurences when switching between different sources (ie. from BD/DVD player to DVR, etc.,...)? Or when enabling PLAY/STOP functions on a BD/DVD player?

No popping sounds. I previously had a Lexicon MC-12 (which I loved); then I switched to a Onkyo Pro 885 (aka Integra 9.8) which I hated so now I have a nice dual setup. The Marantz is a step up sonically from the Onkyo Pro but not as good as the Lexicon. However, I do think that the Marantz is the 'best bang for the buck' on the market, even with less bells and whistles than the Onkyo Pro/Integra units...

funny, I've read such mixed impressions of these Onkyo/Integra processors- mostly pretty good, but then comments like "I had it for a month and sold-it, got something else". I don't know what to make of this? Seems these unit's (the Onkyo-Pro and Integra) have a great mix of features and capabilities for the price? I guess must be pre-amp sonic character differences?


interesting........so you switch back-and-forth between units? Is this because the Lexicon is not HDMI capable?


very interesting. So it sounds like the Marantz, essentially, has a better pre-amp (analog audio) section?

anyone compared the a23 as a monoblock to the jc1's or a21?

imo, most anything is better than an Onkyo, even Sony. At present, in different systems, I'm using Marantz, HK AVR/Parasound amp, HK Citation vintage pre/power amps.
And in the past, Yamaha, Sony, Sansui.

re your Sig?

Got a link that explains about biasing a crossover?

Thanks

Here are some of the pages from Lansing Heritage, about the first JBL speaker to employ Charge-Coupling: Every top of the line JBL since has had a biased network. I built C-C networks for a pair of custom L212 towers, in near field or far field they sound superb.

http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...500/page10.jpg
http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...500/page11.jpg
http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...500/page12.jpg