Parasound HCA-1500A - price range on good quality used?

msg
msg Posts: 10,027
edited January 2014 in Electronics
if I were to pick up a Parasound HCA-1500A, what would be a good price range?
I've no sense of reference on this.
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,222
    edited January 2014
    I got a great deal ($400 shipped) last year on a mint Parasound HCA 1500A. That price would be hard to beat but I think anywhere around $450-$500 for a nice unit would be a very good deal. It is worth it as it is a great power amp and you will be very happy with it (as I am).
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,027
    edited January 2014
    wow!
    that's a fantastic deal. how long ago was that, and from where, Ebay?
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited January 2014
    Don't buy an amp from ebay, the risk is pretty high you'll get screwed. Cruise some used gear from Audio shops, Audiogon.com, craigslist, or right here in our own FS section.

    Another member bought a similar amp for 400 from a Canadian Audio shop. Helped the buyer was Canadian too. We have a thread here somewhere on sites for used gear.
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • polk500
    polk500 Posts: 1,171
    edited January 2014
    pglbook wrote: »
    I got a great deal ($400 shipped) last year on a mint Parasound HCA 1500A. That price would be hard to beat but I think anywhere around $450-$500 for a nice unit would be a very good deal. It is worth it as it is a great power amp and you will be very happy with it (as I am).

    That is a great deal! I payed $550.00 for mine but shipping and customs cost another $150.
    But I'm happy great amp.

    Cheers
    Roger
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited January 2014
    I sold mine to a friend for 375.00. Both happy.
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited January 2014
    I have seen them as low as $375.00 pick up only within the last 2 years. Average price usually goes around $400 - $475, shipping extra.
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  • Glen B
    Glen B Posts: 269
    edited January 2014
    The HCA-1500A Bluebook price is $440.00.
    Main System: Denon DP-59L | Audio-Technica AT33EV | Marantz SA-11S2 | Classe DR-10 | Classe CA-300 | Classe RC-1 | PSB Stratus Gold i's | DIY Balanced AC Power Conditioner | Acoustic Zen and NeoTech cables | Oyaide and Furutech power connectors | Dedicated 20A isolated ground line.

    Home Theater: Toshiba D-VR5SU | Laptop #1 |Outlaw Audio OAW3 wireless audio system | Marantz SR-19 | Phase Linear 400 Series 2, modified | AudioSource 10.1 EQ (for subs) | Axiom M3 v3’s | Axiom VP150 | Optimus PRO-X55AVs | Dayton 12” powered subs (x2) | Belkin PureAV PF-60 line conditioner.

    Party System: Laptop #2 | Audioquest Dragonfly USB DAC | Technics SU-A6 | Acurus A-250 | Radio Shack 15-band EQ | Pioneer SR-9 reverb | Cerwin Vega DX9's | Dayton 100° x 60° horns with titanium HF/MF compression drivers.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,027
    edited January 2014
    great info, thanks fellas. good for feelers.
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited January 2014
    I paid $400 for my HCA1500a from ebay with no problems. Minty fresh.
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited January 2014
    Another 2 to 3 weeks and I'm pulling the trigger on the P5 preamp.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,027
    edited January 2014
    chumlie wrote: »
    I paid $400 for my HCA1500a from ebay with no problems. Minty fresh.
    excellent :)
    nbrowser wrote: »
    I still can't believe I own something from Parasound...still
    lol :D
    chumlie wrote: »
    Another 2 to 3 weeks and I'm pulling the trigger on the P5 preamp.
    maaaaaan... so jealous, that thing's NICE!
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2014
    I've owned my HCA-1500a now for 12+ years, and have no desire to move to anything else. Be sure to give that amp PLENTY of breathing room (ventilation), they do run hot. Minimum 8" clearnce from the top. I love the "pass thru" line level RCA jacks that allow connection to a powered sub.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    edited January 2014
    $400 is doable. But you might be waiting a bit to land it.

    I paid that for mine and I missed out on several that went for more money. The trick is to have cash in hand and act quick.

    I contacted the guy selling the one I picked up telling him I had $400 cash in hand. He wanted $475, within a 1/2 hour he called me to tell me he would take the $400...
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  • polk500
    polk500 Posts: 1,171
    edited January 2014
    polk500 wrote: »
    That is a great deal! I payed $550.00 for mine but shipping and customs cost another $150.
    But I'm happy great amp.

    Cheers
    Roger

    I would like to add that I purchased the amp close to 3 years ago;I'm trying to justify to myself why I paid so much Cuz you guys got killer deals.

    Oh what the hell it's a great amp and I'm very happy with it.

    Cheers
    Roger
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2014
    There you go.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited January 2014
    STILL kicking myself for passing when offered a local super minty one two years ago for $350!!!!!
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,027
    edited January 2014
    polk500 wrote: »
    I would like to add that I purchased the amp close to 3 years ago;I'm trying to justify to myself why I paid so much Cuz you guys got killer deals.
    Oh what the hell it's a great amp and I'm very happy with it.
    yeah, don't feel bad, man, all depends on availability. if you happen to be local when these deals are going down, you're lucky. I haven't really seen any since I've been looking.
    teekay0007 wrote: »
    STILL kicking myself for passing when offered a local super minty one two years ago for $350!!!!!
    gaaaaaah!
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited January 2014
    teekay0007 wrote: »
    STILL kicking myself for passing when offered a local super minty one two years ago for $350!!!!!
    Darn teekay, that was a sick bargain at $350 !
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  • polk500
    polk500 Posts: 1,171
    edited January 2014
    msg wrote: »
    yeah, don't feel bad, man, all depends on availability. if you happen to be local when these deals are going down, you're lucky. I haven't really seen any since I've been looking.


    gaaaaaah!

    Naw don't feel bad it's the way it goes sometimes, I've gotten some great deals on my other equipment so it balances it self out anyway.

    Cheers
    Roger
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  • laotzu61
    laotzu61 Posts: 327
    edited January 2014
    just wanted to throw this out here. I was fortunate enough (putting it mildly) to pick up an hca-1200 from pglbook on the site for what I consider an outstanding price (335.00 if I recall) and I haven't looked back. this puppy brought my rta12b's to life, and I will never part with it. don't see (or hear) any reason to do so. I simply love this amp
    .
    "The symbol is not the reality"
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,027
    edited January 2014
    yeah, I'm keeping my eyes open for the HCA-1200, as well as the 15.
    do you have the 1200 or 1200II? not sure of the difference, only that I've seen two different ones.
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  • laotzu61
    laotzu61 Posts: 327
    edited January 2014
    hca-1200. it's a beast, and built like a tank.
    "The symbol is not the reality"
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,027
    edited January 2014
    man, you guys got me looking for a 1200 and I found one on Ebay for $300. looks to be in nice shape.
    actually just decided to try a pair of B&K Sonata mono blocks for close to what I was expecting to see the HCA-1500 for, so this 1200 is still up for sale in case anyone is looking for one. no affiliation, but spent some time speaking with the seller and he seems genuine and on the up and up. he designs and builds speakers, and has amassed a small collection of amplifiers for testing with his designs. kinda neat.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parasound-HCA-1200-II-THX-Stereo-Power-Amplifier-205watt-315watt-625watt-/161209939097?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2588dc7499
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,027
    edited January 2014
    yes, I should have stated that it's a II.
    205wpc right? instead of 200?
    yes, and the gain kuh-nobbs in back.
    that is pretty funny and casual. I like stuff like that in stuffy tech manuals.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,027
    edited January 2014
    hahaha!
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited January 2014
    nbrowser wrote: »
    msg...yep, 205wpc over 200, scads better dampening factor etc. etc. etc.

    BUT imagine if you will...2 HCA-1200IIs...one each driving one speaker, in mono mode each one fed left channel, one fed right...625 watts a side...my heart flutters!
    With that much current draw(running 2 HCA-1200IIs), will you need a 20 amp dedicated circuit?
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,027
    edited January 2014
    good question. I'm beginning to wonder about this, too.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2014
    I doubt it---I ran 2 bridged amps (non current limiting design) for 600watts RMS, 1200watts peak on a 15 amp socket, never tripped a breaker.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • laotzu61
    laotzu61 Posts: 327
    edited January 2014
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damping_factor
    "The symbol is not the reality"
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited January 2014
    It's one thing to have gobbs of current, it's another to actually be able to use it.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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