Diffrence between Parasound and ADCOM

hejiraent

I bought an ADCOM 5 channel X 125 watt RMS amplifier for $1000. On advise I received, I returned it and bought a Parasound 5 channel X 125 watt RMS amplifier for $2000. I never listened to the ADCOM and still have not listened to the Parasound. Why did one cost twice as much as the other?

Ceruleance

I am assuming the adcom was the 7605? It's hard to give you a detailed answer because Adcom hasn't published detailed specs on this model. I would have kept the adcom at least long enough to listen to the Halo and the Adcom together and see which you like better. One costs more than the other because it sounds better than the other, that's the point. Whether the increase in sound quality is worth the doubling in price is your call.

PolkWannabie

In the specific case of Parasound .vs. Adcom I'd have to agree that the Parasound is a better amp.

But I don't think it's reasonable to assume that higher cost necessarily makes for better sound.

dorokusai

I completely agree with PW.

The HALO line of Parasound was something that started with the inception of the JC-1, no compromise, monoblock. While the line as a whole may not be at the JC-1 level, they have used alot of design theory and componentry throughout that is beyond the HCA series and older siblings.

Adcom has been a staple in audio for many years, no argument here, but aside from their GFP-5802 and GFP-750, it's standard fare IMO. I just named these two, because they have had standout reviews, not just the monkey reviews that follow most gear. I think that those two are more in line with the Halo than the traditional Adcom line, which would match more closely with the HCA series.

We get into a parts area, and that can only be subjective for us common folk, because not a single person here is building, voicing or laying out their own boards, schematics, etc. I think the sonics of the Halo compared to the Adcom are night and day.

Is the Nichicon Muse a better component than the Black Gate.....or Auracap...or the eventually super generic Taiwan Special? Who really knows but the people that specifically design these for purpose built products. All we can do is read, buy, and listen...basically.

The Parasound does typically use better components and all of them are John Curl designs....or CTC designs. If you are in the camp that believes that a better build, creates a better amplifer, or what have you, then it's a done deal.

Ceruleance

Originally posted by PolkWannabie

But I don't think it's reasonable to assume that higher cost necessarily makes for better sound.

You believe that two mainstream companies can make a product geared at to accomplish the same goals with one product costing twice as much as the other and yet somehow it is not reasonable to believe that the higher priced one performs better?

The audio industry certainly has its marketing hype and its snake oil offerings, but in the case of electronics, and especially solid state amplifiers, you get what you pay for within a reasonable margin of error. That margin of error is certainly smaller than 50%.

dorokusai

I have had some cheaper gear really suprise me with their sound quality....it's such a convoluted effort to make equipment, that's why we all aren't DIY.

The simple change in boards and paths can alter the sound dramatically...each component has needs, and effects.

I do agree with your Cer, that in most respects you are paying for better ****...but their are alot of gems out there that go against the grain. Adcom is not one of those gems, but you know what I mean.

Ceruleance

Yeah, maybe I was a little harsh. I mean I don't take back what I said in either post, with those restrictions I find it highly unlikely that the half-priced component can compete with the other, but I knew what polkwannabee was trying to say, some things are better values than others in the audio industry.

Back to the subject at hand:

Why are you posting this question? Are you having buyer's remorse? To be honest with you I would hook up the A-52 and give it a listen. If you like the way it makes your system sound, keep it. If you really stick with this hobby you will probably come across the chance to demo the halo and the adcom side by side and then you will be happy that you have gone with the better amplifier during that time, by that time you may have even upgraded beyond the A52..

On the other hand, if you see home theater as more of a means to an end ( that end: to enjoy movies and also, slighty less-so music) and not as a hobby, you might want to go give that adcom another look, because the law of diminishing returns kicks in fast and the adcom should certainly give you more than enough performance to enjoy movies. I say less so for music, because I think people listen a lot more critically to music and smaller increases mean more. Also, the law of diminishing returns is slightly slower in taking effect because upgrading is replacing 2 channels, not 6 or 8.

Let us know if you have any more questions; we're happy to help even if we nitpick about each other's advice sometimes

dorokusai

Cer - I meant to add that you hit the nail on the head, with the shoulda listened to it comment.....that is key in any of this insanity.

As an example.....I will only add that the dirt cheap Apex DVD player rocked the boat when it was dropped on the market....easily modified, cheaply improved. Will I buy one? NO, hopefully it would burn when I touch it, but it is a fact.

PolkWannabie

Cer,

As you are well aware amps hardly stop at $2k for a Parasound A51, although why anyone would buy it new for $2k when you can find them on Audiogon for $1400 is beyond me, but that's a different issue ...

Is a Sunfire GC II Sig better than the Parasound ?

Is a Krell TAS better then the Sunfire ?

Is a CinePro 3K-6se mkIII better then the Krell ?

Maybe and maybe not ... When you get up into this range it's all in the ear of the beholder and one is of course likely to find as many opinions as the number of people one asks as the answers relate more to personal taste then they do to a parts list and the build quality.

dan t

hejiraent

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT. No, I don't have buyers remorse, just VERY new to all of this and want to get a functioning level of knowledge about HT. I don't have the opportunity to listen to any of the gear I have bought in the past 2 months, I am living in a hotel waiting for my house to be built. If somone told me that a Mercedes cost twice as much as a Mazda, I would not have to ask anyone why...but in the case of amplifiers, I simply did not know. The information and opinions I have been learning from the members of this group have been invaluable to me.