Parasound HCA 3500

FastGame

Howdy

Anyone know the going rate for this amp ? anything I need to be on the lookout for ? are these old enough that they need parts upgraded ?

Thanks.

Phasewolf

I have seen them go for anywhere between $1000 to 1400. They maybe getting to the point to where caps may need replaced but mine is fine for now. The relays can cause a issue fairly cheep fix.

FastGame

You live close enough, sell me yours...haha

There's one at a popular audio forum (says excellent cond.) and the guy has lowered the price a few times to where it's now 1400 but need to pay shipping. One red flag to me is its been for sale awhile and no one has bit.

Thanks

zingo

FastGame wrote: »

There's one at a popular audio forum (says excellent cond.) and the guy has lowered the price a few times to where it's now 1400 but need to pay shipping. One red flag to me is its been for sale awhile and no one has bit.

That would be a little pricey with shipping, but I wouldn't consider it not selling a red flag. It's a big amp that I think many people don't want to fuss with, or pay the shipping on. Many people at this point would prefer to get the same (or higher) power rating from a smaller and cheaper amp; although probably not the same quality.

FastGame

Well red flag I meant there must be some reason it hasn't sold yet. You gave a good example.

Thanks

Phasewolf

$1400 is really the top price and I have not seen one sell at that rate in quite some time. Offer him $1250 and tell them that is the going rate and see what they say.

Phasewolf

Fastgame where are you located in Michigan? If you are not too far away I could swing by with my amp and you can see how it sounds on your system if you would like.

FastGame

Phasewolf wrote: »

Fastgame where are you located in Michigan? If you are not too far away I could swing by with my amp and you can see how it sounds on your system if you would like.

About 55 mi dead north of you. My son has a shop 23 mi & Schoenherr area so I'm down by you all the time.

I have the Parasound A23 and 2250, my buddy wants a good amp so I could sell him one of mine or he could get the HCA 3500. I don't know if I need more power than what I have, or if the HCA would sound different.

Thanks

AsSiMiLaTeD

That amp is big and heavy so be prepared for that. I have the chance for a great deal on one locally but just can't pull the trigger due to size and weight...

Phasewolf

Well on a weekend I could swing by with it if you really want to get your ears on it. It is a nice amp but it's really large so make sure you have room for sure.

DracoAmericanus

the size and weight would not prevent me for getting one, it's big and heavy for a reason aside from caps and possibly a cheap relay i doubt you would have any problems with it, the build quality is well worth it

FastGame

Thanks to all

The guy isn't going down in price and with shipping it's a bit over the top...I guess ???

I sold my Parrasound A23 to my buddy. I'll hang out for a good deal on an amp and till then I'll use my Parrasound 2250.

Once again, thanks !

edit= Phasewolf, thanks for the offer. I would love to hook up sometime and lay my ears on your killer system

zingo

How about finding a used A21? It's not quite as much power, but if you like the sound of your A23, it just that but more!

Inspector 24

I paid $1450 for mine shipped. If that helps. It was flawless, super minty fresh.

Only defect, the power on indicator that changes from red to green as it powers on sticks red for a little bit.

And yes , it's freaking heavy. I'm a decent sized guy wo deals with heavy stuff working on cars for a living and I was sweating moving it around. Make sure the shipper knows how to properly package it so it will be safe! If be happy to provide pictures of packing jobs that survived shipping a heavy amp.

4xoddic

Thinking I'd seen ONE in the last 6 months, I checked CL:

http://lawrence.craigslist.org/ele/4368967458.html

I've been scanning Audiogon, CL & ebay w/in ~ 125 miles for a POWERFUL amp the last couple of years. This is the only HCA-3500 in my memory banks. Perhaps they're appreciating in value &/or the owners' appreciation levels are static.

FastGame

4xoddic wrote: »

Thinking I'd seen ONE in the last 6 months, I checked CL:

http://lawrence.craigslist.org/ele/4368967458.html

I've been scanning Audiogon, CL & ebay w/in ~ 125 miles for a POWERFUL amp the last couple of years. This is the only HCA-3500 in my memory banks. Perhaps they're appreciating in value &/or the owners' appreciation levels are static.

Hmmm that is the one I was looking at, wonder why he's asking less for it in that add ? http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=124161.0

drummer86

http://www.hifishark.com/search?q=parasound+hca+3500&region=&country_iso=US&site_id=

here are three more. one appears to be the same unit on two websites.

Phasewolf

Make him a offer and see what he says just takes a min to try and you out nothing if he says no.

As for hanging out when I finish up my room I will let you know and you are welcome to come over and check out my setup.

And the amp is made very very heavy needs that for all the heat it makes.

Inspector 24

You know, I'm rather surprised at the heat, sure it's not insignificant, but it's less than the AVR puts out, and it's only powering one rear speaker!

Even when pumping out the party music for a couple hours at high volume it's no warmer than the HCA-2003 and cooler than the AVR by 5-10degrees!

Phasewolf

Have you checked the bias on the amp? Mine was biased lower then it should of been it can drift overtime as parts slowly change value. A lower bias will allow it to run cooler.

embrown057

Haphazardly adjusting the BIAS on the 3500 will eventually in not sooner bring real trouble. The are special requirement for the setting of the BIAS in this amp that need to be followed.

The bias tracking circuit of the HCA-3500 requires being set with no signal applied and again with a signal
applied. When the HCA-3500 has an input signal connected, The bias rises to its high level setting.
1. Connect a DV voltmeter (in the millivolt range) across any of the emitter resistors.
2. With no signal applied, adjust TVR 1 until the bias level is 3 mV +/- 1 mV
3. Apply a 1 kHz sine wave to both inputs of the HCA-3500 Do not connect a load to the output.
4. Adjust TVR 3 until the bias level is 20 mV +/- 2 mV.
5. Confirm that the bias has remained at 20 mV +/- 2 mV.

There are other factors involved also. The heatsink temp must be at 40~45deg C. before any adjusts are made.
Remember the is a VERY high current amp and can be VERY dangerous to work around. So be carful and always use a plastic adjustment tool. I have seen more than a few blown up by improper adjustment or metallic tools.

Phasewolf

I used to service electronic's for a living and I got the info from Parasound on how to do correctly. I used music for a for several hours before I did it.

The low side of the bias was checked and right on the money.

kgsalvage

embrown057 wrote: »

Haphazardly adjusting the BIAS on the 3500 will eventually in not sooner bring real trouble. The are special requirement for the setting of the BIAS in this amp that need to be followed.

The bias tracking circuit of the HCA-3500 requires being set with no signal applied and again with a signal
applied. When the HCA-3500 has an input signal connected, The bias rises to its high level setting.
1. Connect a DV voltmeter (in the millivolt range) across any of the emitter resistors.
2. With no signal applied, adjust TVR 1 until the bias level is 3 mV +/- 1 mV
3. Apply a 1 kHz sine wave to both inputs of the HCA-3500 Do not connect a load to the output.
4. Adjust TVR 3 until the bias level is 20 mV +/- 2 mV.
5. Confirm that the bias has remained at 20 mV +/- 2 mV.

There are other factors involved also. The heatsink temp must be at 40~45deg C. before any adjusts are made.
Remember the is a VERY high current amp and can be VERY dangerous to work around. So be carful and always use a plastic adjustment tool. I have seen more than a few blown up by improper adjustment or metallic tools.

I know it's been a while since this post. I have a Parasound HCA-3500 in my shop and cannot find a service manual for it. I understand everything you mentioned in this post but have a couple questions. When applying the 1khz signal to adjust TVR3 with no load, what amplitude signal would that be? Also, You say to connect to both inputs. Do you mean one on each channel, or both the non-inverting and inverting on one channel?

Any help is appreciated.

Ken

Inspector 24

Good bump, good info on bias adjustment. I'm on my second 3500, a Big Sky Modded unit, going on 5 years now, wondering how often the bias needs checked/adjusted? Are there any outward signs it needs to be done? Thanks for any info.

carlo_10

Hi guys, could you answer me?
I also have a HCA 3500 and I need to adjust the bias
QUESTION 1)
The input signal that must be sent to the Parasound HCA 3500 must be a sine wave of 1Khz but how many mV (milliVolt)?

QUESTION 2)
Thanks for the reply , should the signal be sent to both inputs ie left and right channel at the same time ?

QUESTION 3)
Should the bias be adjusted first for the right channel and then for the left channel?
Thank you

skrol