Amp Advice $2000 budget

jeremymarcinko

To be clear the $2000 is the absolute max I am going to be able to go. I really like to stay around $1600ish. This will replacing my current ATI AT1202 powering the RTI12's using the Aventage 1010 as the pre. The 1202 will be moved to surround duty. As of now I am considering:
ATI2002($1790shipped)
Emotiva XPR-2 ($1620 shipped)
Outlaw 7500 5channel($1600shipped)
Used Parasound A21($1300-1600+shipping)

I am really leaning towards the Emotiva for its power advantage and low cost, but matching ATI's would be kinda cool. Thoughts, suggestions?

chumlie

Parasound.

vmaxer

^^^^^^^^
This.

EndersShadow

Parasound, B&K, Sunfire TGA

MrBuhl

Sorry - gonna throw McCormack in there - you could get a DNA-1 Deluxe for that and be very very happy as well! (unless you're only talking new - sorry - didn't consider that)

tonyb

Of your choices, Parasound then ATI.

Is there something about the sound you have now you don't like ?

Mikey081057

A21

jeremymarcinko

tonyb wrote: »

Of your choices, Parasound then ATI.

Is there something about the sound you have now you don't like ?

Not at all, I love the way my 140w ATI sounds, but I think at this point the RTI12's deserve some more power. Although I have never run out of gas with the 1202. I just have an opportunity to upgrade, so... ya know.

jeremymarcinko

I would like to give the parasound a try, I know many of you all enjoy them. I just really prefer to buy new with warranty. Its on the list though and I have inquired on a couple I will see how it all unravels.

tonyb

Well then, if the ATI tickles your fancy, stick with it and go for the big brother, unless you want to try something different. Parasound mates well with RTI's.

jeremymarcinko

Variety is the spice of life

tonyb

jeremymarcinko wrote: »

Variety is the spice of life

2 black eyes ago, the wife disagreed with that statement.

jeremymarcinko

Do you think the RTI12's will be able to exploit the benefit the A21 brings to the table?

EndersShadow

^yes

Conradicles

What about new speakers?

chumlie

YES

Mikey081057

The A21 will drive anything to it's peak potential

jeremymarcinko

Anyone heard anything on the new Emotiva SA-250?

hochpt21

Find a used B&K 200.5 Reference and spend the rest of your coin on other upgrades.

vmaxer

MrBuhl wrote: »

Sorry - gonna throw McCormack in there - you could get a DNA-1 Deluxe for that and be very very happy as well! (unless you're only talking new - sorry - didn't consider that)

Agreed, I don't have the deluxe, but the DNA-1 I recently purchased here is just awesome. The speakers disappear and you have an awesome soundstage.

Inspector 24

Parasound. But buy my HCA-3500, the design of the Halo series is a direct and very close descendant of the HCA series, all designed by John Curl, and for less than a used A21 you'll get an extra 100wpc and DOUBLE the peak current to add extra oomph and headroom, especially for the low frequencies, and you'll never run out of headroom.

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/165663/fs-parasound-hca-3500-1400#latest

chumlie

/\ Problem solved /\

Inspector 24

Right? I replaced mine with a fully upgraded Big Sky Audio 3500 unit which some some say brings it awfully close in refinement to the Halo series...maybe even the JC1's but considering the very small difference I've experienced I don't think the RT series are a refined enough speaker to take advantage of higher quality amplification without at least crossover mods.

However, the difference from the extra power of the 3500 vs the 2003 was very noticeable, treble was smoother more silky, less glassy, certainly not as bright on the high end. I could comfortably listen another 5-10db louder without fatigue after an hour or two, same for my wife.

And the low end kick it got was awesome, for a lot of things subwoofers are almost unnecessary...almost...they don't drop off steeply until below 30hz, even then if I turn off the subs the average person thinks they're on.

jeremymarcinko

The ATI 2002 may be out of contention, unless I can locate another dealer. I was speaking to a fella on the A-gon who sells new ATI's but he started being a little hasty, wanting deposits and telling me the sale ends tonight. Outlaw may be out of stock, will find out for sure tomorrow. Our resident Parasound dealer is working with me too, so a new Halo A21 might be in the cards. I am still considering the used offerings but there is nothing quite like new with a warranty, for me anyway. For some reason I keep drooling over that Emotiva XPR-2 with the 600watts per channel. What a beast.

Inspector 24

I used to worry about warranty, but anything used I've purchased that worked when it arrived never broke, including all five parasound amps, three AVR's, seven subs and three sets of speakers and two projectors I've purchased used over the years. Only things that broke were from abuse or improper packing, which my gear suffers none of. Just sayi'n.

Polkie2009

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Parasound. But buy my HCA-3500, the design of the Halo series is a direct and very close descendant of the HCA series, all designed by John Curl, and for less than a used A21 you'll get an extra 100wpc and DOUBLE the peak current to add extra oomph and headroom, especially for the low frequencies, and you'll never run out of headroom.

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/165663/fs-parasound-hca-3500-1400#latest

+1 that HCA-3500 is a beast!

msg

Is this a combo system or all HT/not much concern for music?

If not for serious music, and/or if you're not affected or concerned by the common feedback that the Emotiva/RTi combination is bright and harsh, then why wouldn't you go with the XPR-2? 600wpc? Nice. What kind of peak current is that pushing, do you know?

I would think that to fully realize the benefit of the Parasound A21, you'd want to get new speakers and a separate pre. The A21 would be a terrific anchor piece/2ch investment if you are heading that way. However, if you just want to step into an impactful Parasound, Inspector's HCA-3500 may be a nice opportunity to consider. I just wish he'd do that A/B comparison so we could know what the BSA refresh can do for a 3500. If it's not particularly noticeable, it might help allay any concerns over buying an older amp of this fantastic caliber? and not be overshadowed by the BSA upgrades on the new one? Yes, this is a hint

My understanding is that the A21 is more refined, but it is less powerful than the 3500. I mean, double the current in the 3500? You can't ignore that. The 3500 should slam the RTi12's. For music, I'd want to try both amps, though. For theater, and barring the opportunity to try them both, I'd probably just want the power and go with that 3500 if I wanted a Parasound, or stick with a fat ATI since you already have one and are pleased with it, or otherwise that Emotiva you're talking about. Something good and crisp and impactful with good control.

I can also understand/respect the preference for buying new with warranty, but this isn't practical for me at my early level of involvement and penchant for experimentation and trying to get ears on different gear.

What about matching your gear up, though? Is that not a real concern?

Personal preference is for Parasound or B&K, in general.
Now curious about ATI's sound.

jeremymarcinko

I was thinking that the Emotiva's bright sound signature was limited to the xpa line and lower.

nooshinjohn

Nakamichi PA7, not the MkII... You can also consider pass labs and some Krell at 2k

msg

jeremymarcinko wrote: »

I was thinking that the Emotiva's bright sound signature was limited to the xpa line and lower.

oh, is it? could be; I may have picked that up wrong, and have no experience with any of their stuff, unfortunately.

dragon1952

Here's a great deal on a Parasound A21.... $1250 plus shipping
app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-parasound-halo-a-21-amplifier-2015-06-20-amplifiers-60076-skokie-il