Big Sky Audio Upgrades for Parasound

F1nut

F1, I know a tiny bit about the BBQ, something like a $10k mono block?

It was a highly modified 3500. Stereo dual mono in the same single chassis just like yours. It wasn't $10k, maybe $5k.

Inspector 24

Ah, I'm only mostly off.

6 more hours burn on tonight playing the HSU test disc on repeat, and a couple hours late night listening. Seemed a few holes in the soundstage were more filled in with instruments than last time I remember on those orchestral tracks.

Though I'm saving the last four albums I listened to on the OEM unit until I have more burn in time.

JayCee

You still up? Give me a call if you can.

drumminman

You also should consider leaving the 3500 on 24/7. Won't hurt a thing and will contribute to better sound quality. Some companies recommend this - Odyssey Audio even puts the on off switch on the back panel as they don't recommend powering down except in unusual circumstances or when switching out gear.

His work looks great! I'm betting after a few hundred hours that amp will improve.

Inspector 24

I've read that before, I believe DarqueKnight? does this as well? I've opted not to for a couple reasons, first is power consumption. I'm not a super big environmentalist turn every light off all the time OMG! kind of person, but to me it seems a waste of power, and while not much money, don't want to pay for it either.

Second reason, I have cats, and cats do what cats do which is find warm places to sleep, as such I keep all the electronics in a cabinet only opening it when in use, and I don't want to trust that there's adequate ventilation through the openings in back.

Thirdly, Parasound puts big rocker power switches front and center that are tactilely quite pleasing to switch on and off. Must intend that you'll be turning them on and off.

Haven't had much listening time but for a movie the other night, but Thor is always fun to watch!

littlewoodboats

JayCee wrote: »

I think this might also help for any Adcom folks...I searched for the Adcom thread posted by CP member "littlewoodboats" (LWB).

I haven't seen LWB on CP in a long time and haven't spoken with him since shortly after I moved to Maryland. Hopefully, if he's lurking, he might add something...?

I still lurk from time to time just did not feel I had anything to offer of late. Good to see you John

Rick did an excellent job on what turned out to be a sad GFA-585. It had suffered from leaky caps and other abuses including lousy packing for the trip from CA to Montana. I had purchased it to power a pair of SDA2a's but now use it to run Monitor 7's as the front RL in my media room. It has never burped in any way and driving the SDA's at normal levels stayed cool enough to lay my hand on the heat sink.

For stereo into tough loads the GFA-585 kicks butt and takes names. That said, I was told Parasound might be a better current option for a theater amp of more than two channels. I have spent the better part of the last two years moving and evolving the sound system but the GFA-585 I take with me to the grave.

He knows the units well and has done many of them. He currently has a GFA-565 mono unit in line for me that suffers from the same cap issue. It becomes the amp for the center channel. There is a six week backlog so do not be in any rush.

Hope this helps

gudnoyez

I'm glad I found this thread, I was searching reviews, for Big Sky Audio most of what I've read have been favorable. My Adcom 5300 is having issues with the right Channel, I would love to get a new Parasound Halo A1 3 channel amp but the $3200
Is not in the budget Audio Advisor has them in silver for $2000, but also not in the budget.

I did talk to Rick recently at Big Sky and he did convince me that instead of repairing it that a total restore would be the way to go and that he has done some 3 channel amps.

I took the 5300 out of the system yesterday boxed it up and put a spare 2 channel amp in place to run the fronts. I packed it pretty good but that Adcom is heavy double boxed it and it's ready to ship. I plan on getting this baby restored thanks to all the good reviews I have heard about Big Sky, unless anyone knows of a place in the Chicago area that does good work then it's off to Montana, the only fears I have is letting UPS manhandle this beast.

littlewoodboats

I have been quite happy with the job Rick did on my 585se. You should be pleased with the result.

F1nut

the only fears I have is letting UPS manhandle this beast.

Use FedEx. Better handling and cheaper prices.

skrol

I know mine is a much more lowly amp, but when I re-capped my HCA-1000a and HCA-800ii, I initially found them to be grainy and hemmed in. However, I could almost hear them smoothing out and the sound stage opening before my ears. I think given some run time, you will be very pleased.

pitdogg2

F1nut wrote: »

the only fears I have is letting UPS manhandle this beast.

Use FedEx. Better handling and cheaper prices.

I dunno I deal with both everyday seen both do some very bone head things, I believe it's all in the packing. That's where it's won or lost from the get go.

gudnoyez

I had it packed pretty good, but this is on hold since I got the new Parasound A31. I found a authorized Adcom repair center in Chicago who is going to restore it, they are on Adcoms authorized repair center along with Big Sky and a few others. I can just drive there and drop it off and pick it up instead of shipping it.

littlewoodboats

I had the option to go with an authorized repair center in Austin instead of shipping to Big Sky. The place in Austin told me they would repair to Adcom guidelines and no more. Rick up at Big Sky goes above and beyond with upgrades other service centers would not offer. Had I gone to Austin they would have told me my GFA-585 SE was not repairable going so far as to tell me it was most likely a waste of time to take in a non functioning amp.

Going with Rick not only was my amp repaired he also made the changes and updates recommended by the amps designer (Dr. Walt Jung) to make the amp everything it was designed to be.

Not all service centers are created equal.

gudnoyez

littlewoodboats wrote: »

I had the option to go with an authorized repair center in Austin instead of shipping to Big Sky. The place in Austin told me they would repair to Adcom guidelines and no more. Rick up at Big Sky goes above and beyond with upgrades other service centers would not offer. Had I gone to Austin they would have told me my GFA-585 SE was not repairable going so far as to tell me it was most likely a waste of time to take in a non functioning amp.

Going with Rick not only was my amp repaired he also made the changes and updates recommended by the amps designer (Dr. Walt Jung) to make the amp everything it was designed to be.

Not all service centers are created equal.

Yeah your probably right I do have it packed pretty good foam padding and all plus it is double boxed, I just hate to ship heavy items as they get tossed around from the parcel companies pretty good. I probably will go with Rick then thanks for reassuring me. My Halo survived the trip from Michigan it showed up in excellent shape the box in perfect condition and I was surprised as heavy as that one is. I will forge on as planned.