Parasound 2250

wahoosboy

Got an NAD C375BEE to power my rtia7s. Didn't have quite enough juice and current. Heard woofers bottoming out on more than a few occasions when the music got loud. So I am now looking at Parasound new classic separates (Model 2100 and 2250). Would this amp be enough. The wattage figure is impressive but the peak current isn't at all at first glance. Would it be smarter to hold out for a higher current amp like the hca-1200?

quicksilvergts

I am sure Nbrowser will chime in on this. As he has the 1200 II/Rtia7 setup.
Just from reading bout them the 1200 is a very good match.

Thorton

Before I moved up to the A9's, I had the A7's powered with the Parasound 2250. You will be fine. It has plenty of power for the A7's and the Parasound sounds very good with Polks.

soundfreak1

I used a 1200 for several years and loved it! Works wonderfuly with polks.

wahoosboy

Thorton wrote: »

Before I moved up to the A9's, I had the A7's powered with the Parasound 2250. You will be fine. It has plenty of power for the A7's and the Parasound sounds very good with Polks.

At all volumes? I like to crank it from time to time with deep strong bass runs. You never experienced woofer "clap" or bottom out?

AsSiMiLaTeD

What kind of speakers are you powering and in what size room?

wahoosboy

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

What kind of speakers are you powering and in what size room?

RTI A7s room is probably 20 by 16

tonyb

Everything has it's limits. By adding an amp, it's not going to give you "louder", and it sure won't let you bury the volume dial either.
What it will do is give your speakers the current to operate up to their capabilities, which are not unlimited. Stronger, harder hitting bass, more extended high end and a wider soundstage are some of the things I would expect, but not concert level volumes.

wahoosboy

I definitely understand, however I'm trying to decide if the improvement in sound of going to the Parasound from the NAD would be worth it. Also something tells me the RTI A7s have more in them than I am hearing.

deronb1

wahoosboy wrote: »

I definitely understand, however I'm trying to decide if the improvement in sound of going to the Parasound from the NAD would be worth it. Also something tells me the RTI A7s have more in them than I am hearing.

There is a 1500a for sale on the forum. Very similar to the 1200, but it uses mos-fets as opposed to j-fets. There are arguments on both sides as to which is better, but according to most EE geeks, mos-fets are more stable and will provide a safer low end. I had a 1500a paired with a pair of 2Bs and in no way did i ever feel the need for a sub, even for HT. Pair a 1500a with those A7s and you'll be in hog heaven.

wahoosboy

Apparently I can't look at the classifieds as I have not posted 100 times...? I would be more than interested if I could read the post.

Nightfall

F1Nut wrote:

Advice is free, the Flea Market is earned

Mandatory text

wahoosboy

I guess I understand, anyways I think I'm going to hold out for a used HCA Parasound amp...They seem to deliver more current and from what I have read are built better.

Nightfall

What city/state are you in?

wahoosboy

Charlottesville, VA, with easy questions like this, I'll be in the classifieds in no time...

Dennis Gardner

I think your problem is your "deep strong bass runs". Even full range tower speakers weren't made to pump bass from their mid/woofers at live concert levels. I would suggest you look into a subwoofer if extreme bass and extreme volume is your style.

What source are you hearing the issue on MP3s, Factory CDs, Ripped Wave/FLAC, vinyl LPs? Help us understand your listening habits a bit more.

WPC, Current ratings, Headroom dB, Damping factors can all be important specs, but if you pumped enough watts into any speaker long enough you will experience breakup and potential failure.

My initial concern is that your NAD integrated is no slouch to begin with and I think your listening habits may require a solid powered sub added to round out the bottom end and take the lowest duties off your mains. I would also have you engage the soft clip circuit on the back of your amp to help control how your amp handles its peaks.

sgtmick63

I use the 2250 to power my lsim 703's. I also use a Yamaha rx-a2010 as my pre/pro. It sounds great. Even my wife likes the sound. Use good IC's and you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend the 2250.

wahoosboy

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

I think your problem is your "deep strong bass runs". Even full range tower speakers weren't made to pump bass from their mid/woofers at live concert levels. I would suggest you look into a subwoofer if extreme bass and extreme volume is your style.

What source are you hearing the issue on MP3s, Factory CDs, Ripped Wave/FLAC, vinyl LPs? Help us understand your listening habits a bit more.

WPC, Current ratings, Headroom dB, Damping factors can all be important specs, but if you pumped enough watts into any speaker long enough you will experience breakup and potential failure.

My initial concern is that your NAD integrated is no slouch to begin with and I think your listening habits may require a solid powered sub added to round out the bottom end and take the lowest duties off your mains. I would also have you engage the soft clip circuit on the back of your amp to help control how your amp handles its peaks.

I'm playing ALACs from my computer through the PC USB. I have been using the soft clip circuit. I listen at medium levels most of the time...something you could probably talk over in a normal voice...However sometimes I like to turn it up to pretty loud, loud enough that it gives the music impact and a solid punch. I have thought about a sub, but everyone i have used...mainly the psw125 with tsi 400s...is hard to get set right so it blends well with the speakers...I find myself constantly changing the crossover and volume to get it to sound how I like it where my mains seem just right all the time.

tonyb

The PSW line of subs is really more for HT use than music. You need a better sub. SVS-HSU-Velodyne-Rel- Revel....good places to start your search.

wahoosboy

Would I need another crossover or processor to do this? The NAD integrated obviously doesn't have sub outs. How would I send the low frequencies only to the sub. I know you can run the amplified signal through the sub with speaker wire but that seems like a pretty weak way to do things.

TNHNDYMAN

Not weak at all. It's what you need to do with your system. Send signal from integrated to the sub ( a good sub such as those brands listed above) and then out to your front speakers. You utilize the crossover in the sub and control volumne of sub as well. Works well for lots of folks.

Nightfall

wahoosboy wrote: »

Would I need another crossover or processor to do this? The NAD integrated obviously doesn't have sub outs. How would I send the low frequencies only to the sub. I know you can run the amplified signal through the sub with speaker wire but that seems like a pretty weak way to do things.

A lot of subs have high level inputs and built in crossovers.

Vonharaland

I use the Parasound 2250 to power a pair of low efficiency Vandy 2CE's, and they are spectacularly good together. Spoke to an outfit in Colorado that hot rods amplifiers, and their only insight was that the op-amp was the limiting factor, and I'm not sure what I would do with more amps or watts. Been meaning to put my 10A monitors on them but haven't gotten around to it. Only paid 400 for it too. The manual states 45 peak amps per channel, which you can weld with- seems like plenty. And it doesn't get hot or clip. Guess what I want to tell you is that it sounds good and is reliable.