Parasound

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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited March 2011
    Everything from the HCA MkII to present day is a John Curl....consultant design. This would include the new Classic series. I'm sure his involvement varies, and has varied, throughout the years in regards to actual capacity and participation but as far as I know, he's the lead designer.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited March 2011
    What's shocking about the New Classic series is for the price no balanced inputs, but their $900 halo a23 has it. For $3000 I'd want balanced inputs.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited March 2011
    Over the last year, I've purchased the NewClassic 2250, HCA100A, HCA2200ii, and most recently a Halo A21 - and I will concur with dorokusai.

    The NC2250 was my first amp and it was definitely a significant leap from running my RTi A7s from a receiver. Better clarity, deeper bass, wider sound stage. Then when I picked up the HCA-2200ii, I felt like the 2250 sounded a bit thinner, a little brighter, not as much punch. The HCA-2200ii was warmer, better midrange, better separation and sound stage - just another experience. I've had to go back to the 2250 on 2 occasions when the 2200ii was down for repairs / fried and it was actually hard to live with in comparison. I ended up going ahead and picking up a new Halo A21 (updated version of the 2200ii basically) and the 2250 will be relegated for surround duty.

    But it's not a bad amp. I hooked the 2250 up to my LSi9s and it kicked **** frankly.

    In the realm of 5 ch Parasound amps, I would think that something like an HCA-2205 (look on Audiogon) would be a step up from a 5250 sq-wise. Higher peak current than an A52 and cheaper than an A51.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited May 2011
    UPDATE

    Turns out the 19" Sunfire is a "vintage" unit. The serial number puts its manufacturing date in the year 1999. I found this out through Sunfire CS, who then referred me to Ritas as they do not service "vintage" gear.

    The Sunfire spent 6 weeks at my local electronics repair store, the same that repaired an Adcom I fried. I just got it back yesterday and bench tests reflect, generally, lower signal to noise from all channels except one of the rear channels. They report changing out all of the capacitors. I still have to hook it up to the Polk LSi15s to see how noticeable the signal to noise will be, which apparently is inherent to Sunfire amps based on my research.

    The experience with this amplifier debunked an important theory I thought was true: That I should invest most of my money in the speaker and amp as those were the units that rarely needed to be replaced as technology evolved. I didn't consider that the amps had components with a shelf-life.

    I'll probably look to sell the Sunfire down the road and try something new. Probably the Parasound, an Outlaw or Emotiva.
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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