I am using Rotel with B&W 802D and am not liking the punch of the speakers. I have been recommended Parasound JC1 Pre-Amp and JC2 Mono Block Amps (400W per channel). Can someone tell me how are these amplifiers to work with B&W 802D ? Thanks.
Parasound Amplifiers with B&W 802D
1 - 20 of 85 Posts
Joined
·
3,677 Posts
They will work the same as your Rotel. Although I am not of the mindset that "all amps sound the same", I do, however, think that moving from Rotel amps to Parasound amps would be a lateral move.
They will work the same as your Rotel. Although I am not of the mindset that "all amps sound the same", I do, however, think that moving from Rotel amps to Parasound amps would be a lateral move.
Joined
·
7,063 Posts
For that kind of money, you can buy MUCH better-sounding equipment than that.
An Audio Research LS-17 ($4000) is a MUCH better preamp than anything Parasound makes and while the Parasound amplifiers are very good, you can buy the Bryston 4B-SST for around $6000, and it is at least as good-sounding, probably a bit better.
The Ayre K5xe ($3500) is also a much better preamp than any of the Parasound preamps.
Actually, the Bryston 3B-SST2 is only $4500, and at 250 watts per channel into 4 ohms has way more power than your speakers need for "punch" galore. I would recommend it.
Your speakers, by the way have a 4 ohm impedance from 70 Hz to 700 Hz, so you definitely need to look at the 4 ohm power rating of amplifiers. See the Stereophile review for the impedance vs frequency curve.
I am using the AR LS-27 and the Bryston 3B-SST2, and the sound is to die for. I was watching The Red Baron last night, and the sound of the aircraft engines was hitting my guts like my old days in the pits at the drag strip; now THAT is PUNCH!!!
With either of those preamps and the Bryston 3B, you will have way way better sound quality, and enough PUNCH to knock you off your feet...lol.
An Audio Research LS-17 ($4000) is a MUCH better preamp than anything Parasound makes and while the Parasound amplifiers are very good, you can buy the Bryston 4B-SST for around $6000, and it is at least as good-sounding, probably a bit better.
The Ayre K5xe ($3500) is also a much better preamp than any of the Parasound preamps.
Actually, the Bryston 3B-SST2 is only $4500, and at 250 watts per channel into 4 ohms has way more power than your speakers need for "punch" galore. I would recommend it.
Your speakers, by the way have a 4 ohm impedance from 70 Hz to 700 Hz, so you definitely need to look at the 4 ohm power rating of amplifiers. See the Stereophile review for the impedance vs frequency curve.
I am using the AR LS-27 and the Bryston 3B-SST2, and the sound is to die for. I was watching The Red Baron last night, and the sound of the aircraft engines was hitting my guts like my old days in the pits at the drag strip; now THAT is PUNCH!!!
With either of those preamps and the Bryston 3B, you will have way way better sound quality, and enough PUNCH to knock you off your feet...lol.
Joined
·
4,273 Posts
And you can prove this....how? By your 100% pure subjective opinion, which everyone has?
![]()
I guess those double-blinded studies conducted by engineers and PhD audiophiles with many years experience proving that people can't tell a significant difference among amps don't mean anything, but your 100% pure subjective non-level matched non-blinded opinions are fact?
![]()
Why don't we compare the specs and measurements of these electronics and objectively see which are really better. Unless you think objective measurements don't mean anything and your 100% pure subjective opinion, which everyone has, means everything?
![]()
Oh, yeah, I forgot the rules. If I own it, it must be better than everyone else - damn the objective measurements and double-blinded studies.
![]()
And you can prove this....how? By your 100% pure subjective opinion, which everyone has?
I guess those double-blinded studies conducted by engineers and PhD audiophiles with many years experience proving that people can't tell a significant difference among amps don't mean anything, but your 100% pure subjective non-level matched non-blinded opinions are fact?
Why don't we compare the specs and measurements of these electronics and objectively see which are really better. Unless you think objective measurements don't mean anything and your 100% pure subjective opinion, which everyone has, means everything?
Oh, yeah, I forgot the rules. If I own it, it must be better than everyone else - damn the objective measurements and double-blinded studies.
Joined
·
4,273 Posts
I agree 100%.
I was at my B&W dealer. They had a 200wpc Rotel system hooked to the 802D and a 300wpc Classe system hooked to the 800D.
The Classe, which is a lot more expensive than the Rotel, had this hiss noise coming through the 800D, while the much cheaper Rotel was silent.
More expensive doesn't mean anything.
Of course, I didn't mean to say the Rotel is better than the Classe or any other high quality amp, hiss or no hiss.
I agree 100%.
I was at my B&W dealer. They had a 200wpc Rotel system hooked to the 802D and a 300wpc Classe system hooked to the 800D.
The Classe, which is a lot more expensive than the Rotel, had this hiss noise coming through the 800D, while the much cheaper Rotel was silent.
More expensive doesn't mean anything.
Of course, I didn't mean to say the Rotel is better than the Classe or any other high quality amp, hiss or no hiss.
Joined
·
7,063 Posts
You just don't get it. You are confusing me with someone who cares what you think of my opinions.
I have no intention of trying to "prove" anything, especially to people who will argue all day about what is wrong or right or valid or invalid but won't actually take the trouble go out and LISTEN to music and draw some conclusions about what equipment does or does not sound best.
I have spent hundreds of hours listening to equipment in my home and in other locations, including recording studios and an audio store owned by a friend. I clearly hear differences in sound quality and do not require some nonsense test routine to tell me what I hear. My ears work pretty well, and I use them.
I am quite sure that if your car was dirty and I said so, you would want a 10-person panel to do a double-blind test to decide if it was true. I just rely on my eyes and my ears, and they seem to tell the truth. That has been my experience, and I value it.
I have formed opinions, and I express them. If you don't care for my opinions, that's fine.
If someone wants to take my opinions into account, that is up to them.
I have no intention of trying to "prove" anything, especially to people who will argue all day about what is wrong or right or valid or invalid but won't actually take the trouble go out and LISTEN to music and draw some conclusions about what equipment does or does not sound best.
I have spent hundreds of hours listening to equipment in my home and in other locations, including recording studios and an audio store owned by a friend. I clearly hear differences in sound quality and do not require some nonsense test routine to tell me what I hear. My ears work pretty well, and I use them.
I am quite sure that if your car was dirty and I said so, you would want a 10-person panel to do a double-blind test to decide if it was true. I just rely on my eyes and my ears, and they seem to tell the truth. That has been my experience, and I value it.
I have formed opinions, and I express them. If you don't care for my opinions, that's fine.
If someone wants to take my opinions into account, that is up to them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AcuDefTechGuy /t/1420598/parasound-amplifiers-with-b-w-802d#post_22226761
And you can prove this....how? By your 100% pure subjective opinion, which everyone has?![]()
I guess those double-blinded studies conducted by engineers and PhD audiophiles with many years experience proving that people can't tell a significant difference among amps don't mean anything, but your 100% pure subjective non-level matched non-blinded opinions are fact?![]()
Why don't we compare the specs and measurements of these electronics and objectively see which are really better. Unless you think objective measurements don't mean anything and your 100% pure subjective opinion, which everyone has, means everything?![]()
Oh, yeah, I forgot the rules. If I own it, it must be better than everyone else - damn the objective measurements and double-blinded studies.![]()
Amen....
The Richard Clark challenge really opened my eyes to the world of snake oil amplifier marketing.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by AcuDefTechGuy /t/1420598/parasound-amplifiers-with-b-w-802d#post_22226761
And you can prove this....how? By your 100% pure subjective opinion, which everyone has?![]()
I guess those double-blinded studies conducted by engineers and PhD audiophiles with many years experience proving that people can't tell a significant difference among amps don't mean anything, but your 100% pure subjective non-level matched non-blinded opinions are fact?![]()
Why don't we compare the specs and measurements of these electronics and objectively see which are really better. Unless you think objective measurements don't mean anything and your 100% pure subjective opinion, which everyone has, means everything?![]()
Oh, yeah, I forgot the rules. If I own it, it must be better than everyone else - damn the objective measurements and double-blinded studies.![]()
Amen....
The Richard Clark challenge really opened my eyes to the world of snake oil amplifier marketing.....
Do you also use your brain when you listen? Of course you do.
Are you aware of the unconscious biases that your brain holds onto ? Of course you aren't.
Do you even acknowledge these biases exist? Of course you don't.
Do you do these listening sessions with amplifier levels matched? I doubt it.
Do you use your brain when you make all these repetitive, silly posts? That is up for debate.
Do you also use your brain when you listen? Of course you do.
Are you aware of the unconscious biases that your brain holds onto ? Of course you aren't.
Do you even acknowledge these biases exist? Of course you don't.
Do you do these listening sessions with amplifier levels matched? I doubt it.
Do you use your brain when you make all these repetitive, silly posts? That is up for debate.
Joined
·
538 Posts
Commsysman, don't you wonder why you seem to get in these same arguments on every thread you post? With pretty much every other member of this forum? It is because you consistently state your opinion as fact.
Look, on another thread you just posted a reference to the Kef Q900 being measured as low as 4 ohms by Stereophile, even though it is rated as an 8 ohm speaker. You advised the OP in that thread to get an amp capable of handling a 4 ohm speaker. That is excellent advice and is far different than the post I quoted on this thread where you throw out generalizations about one company vs. another and state your listening experience/preferences as fact. What sounds better to you may not to someone else. You also state it with so MUCH FERVOR that it almost forces the rest of us to dispute you instead of letting the OP read what you post and take it as gospel. If you have an opinion, by all means share it, but don't pretend it is any more valid than someone else's opionion, and don't pretend it is fact.
Commsysman, don't you wonder why you seem to get in these same arguments on every thread you post? With pretty much every other member of this forum? It is because you consistently state your opinion as fact.
Look, on another thread you just posted a reference to the Kef Q900 being measured as low as 4 ohms by Stereophile, even though it is rated as an 8 ohm speaker. You advised the OP in that thread to get an amp capable of handling a 4 ohm speaker. That is excellent advice and is far different than the post I quoted on this thread where you throw out generalizations about one company vs. another and state your listening experience/preferences as fact. What sounds better to you may not to someone else. You also state it with so MUCH FERVOR that it almost forces the rest of us to dispute you instead of letting the OP read what you post and take it as gospel. If you have an opinion, by all means share it, but don't pretend it is any more valid than someone else's opionion, and don't pretend it is fact.
Joined
·
4,860 Posts
I haven't heard the JC1 or JC2 but they get stellar reviews. The JC1's put out 400wpc into 8ohms and 800wpc into 4ohms and the first 25 watts is pure class A. I'm sure they would drive the 802's with aplomb. The only caveat I would add would be that Parasound can sometimes sound a bit lean and you may want to look at a tube preamp. This is based on my experience with a Parasound A21, A23's and a Parasound 2100 preamp. This is probably just my preference though as I really like what a good tube preamp does for my music.
Joined
·
4,273 Posts
Amen.
I just can't believe that in this day and age people are still saying things like "MY amp is significantly better than this other high quality Rotel or Parasound or Sunfire or ATI or any high quality amp".
![]()
Amen.
I just can't believe that in this day and age people are still saying things like "MY amp is significantly better than this other high quality Rotel or Parasound or Sunfire or ATI or any high quality amp".
If you can return the AMP I would buy a Rotel AMP.
B&W & Rotel have a close relationship with each other. Their speakers should be powered by Rotel AMPS if you want to get the best sound from them.
If you cant return the AMP i would try doing a Bi-Amp.
I took home a pair of B&W CM5s and i wast impressed with the sound i was getting form them (using a class D rotel RMB-1076) So I Bi-Amped the speakers they knocked me on my butt.
And im not kidding. I connected them turned on my test song and I fell back in my chair because they just sounded so much better.
having been installing B&W speakers for five years now i know that you cant under power them, they will sound like trash. give them power!
Good Luck!
B&W & Rotel have a close relationship with each other. Their speakers should be powered by Rotel AMPS if you want to get the best sound from them.
If you cant return the AMP i would try doing a Bi-Amp.
I took home a pair of B&W CM5s and i wast impressed with the sound i was getting form them (using a class D rotel RMB-1076) So I Bi-Amped the speakers they knocked me on my butt.
And im not kidding. I connected them turned on my test song and I fell back in my chair because they just sounded so much better.
having been installing B&W speakers for five years now i know that you cant under power them, they will sound like trash. give them power!
Good Luck!
Joined
·
4,273 Posts
Guys, the OP said his 802D lacked that gut-punchy bass. And he doesn't have even one subwoofer with the 802D!
Does anyone here thinks that perhaps a great subwoofer or 2 subs would be more beneficial than changing from a high quality Rotel amp to another amp?
![]()
I've listened to the 802D 3 times now. They need subwoofers (if you feel that the punchy bass is missing)!
If I get a pair of 802D (I'm in the market BTW), you can bet they will be paired with dual subwoofers!
![]()
Heck, I've listened to the 800D. IMO they lack bass as well. Heck, I think my Salon2 doesn't have enough bass for me, and the Salon2 goes lower with more bass output than the 800D.
He needs subs.
Does anyone here thinks that perhaps a great subwoofer or 2 subs would be more beneficial than changing from a high quality Rotel amp to another amp?
I've listened to the 802D 3 times now. They need subwoofers (if you feel that the punchy bass is missing)!
If I get a pair of 802D (I'm in the market BTW), you can bet they will be paired with dual subwoofers!
Heck, I've listened to the 800D. IMO they lack bass as well. Heck, I think my Salon2 doesn't have enough bass for me, and the Salon2 goes lower with more bass output than the 800D.
He needs subs.
Joined
·
30,662 Posts
![]()
Kal
I am not so sure. I have had a number of B&Ws in my listening room over the years and, yes, I do have a sub. However, with proper placement and acoustical attention, I did/do not use the sub with the 802Ds or with the 800Diamonds. They do like power but work well with many (but not all) amps I tried. Currently a Parasound A31.Quote:
Originally Posted by AcuDefTechGuy /t/1420598/parasound-amplifiers-with-b-w-802d#post_22228176
Guys, the OP said his 802D lacked that gut-punchy bass. And he doesn't have even one subwoofer with the 802D!
Does anyone here thinks that perhaps a great subwoofer or 2 subs would be more beneficial than changing from a high quality Rotel amp to another amp?![]()
I've listened to the 802D 3 times now. They need subwoofers (if you feel that the punchy bass is missing)!
If I get a pair of 802D (I'm in the market BTW), you can bet they will be paired with dual subwoofers!![]()
Heck, I've listened to the 800D. IMO they lack bass as well. Heck, I think my Salon2 doesn't have enough bass for me, and the Salon2 goes lower with more bass output than the 800D.
He needs subs.
Kal
@seth...
ummm... interesting... factual, no, but interesting... number 1, the speakers aren't that hard to drive... number 2, simply passively bi-amping them accomplishes, ummm, nothing...
@adtg...
me too... instead of chasing some mythical "synergy" between amplifier and speaker, i'd spend my money on something that will actually accomplish the goal...
ummm... interesting... factual, no, but interesting... number 1, the speakers aren't that hard to drive... number 2, simply passively bi-amping them accomplishes, ummm, nothing...
@adtg...
me too... instead of chasing some mythical "synergy" between amplifier and speaker, i'd spend my money on something that will actually accomplish the goal...
Joined
·
4,860 Posts
Are you going to do a review of the A31?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson /t/1420598/parasound-amplifiers-with-b-w-802d#post_22228193
.... They do like power but work well with many (but not all) amps I tried. Currently a Parasound A31.![]()
Kal
Are you going to do a review of the A31?
1 - 20 of 85 Posts
Join the discussion
Join now to ask and comment!