Best used Amp can be purchased for < $500, to run SDA-2a's

2

Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    JNinja wrote: »
    GlennDog wrote: »
    I'm late to the party, but this is in your price range. NO Afil

    http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/ele/5129009579.html

    Not enough power

    For SDA 2's.....sure it is.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,020
    and it's a great price.
    I disabled signatures.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    JNinja wrote: »
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    @JNinja

    Where are you located?

    Albany, NY

    Darn too far :smile:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,897
    edited July 2015
    I just bought a brand new A23 with no doubts it will drive my 2B's.
    There is also a brand new P5 in the future.
    The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

    It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    JNinja wrote: »
    GlennDog wrote: »
    I'm late to the party, but this is in your price range. NO Afil

    http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/ele/5129009579.html

    Not enough power

    I'd take that Parasound over a pro amp any day, even if I had 2.3 or 1.2's.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    tonyb wrote: »
    JNinja wrote: »
    GlennDog wrote: »
    I'm late to the party, but this is in your price range. NO Afil

    http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/ele/5129009579.html

    Not enough power

    For SDA 2's.....sure it is.

    Other than calling one "pro" and the other being a Parasound, can you explain why? Like on paper. Again, I'm willing to accept that I might like a less powerful amp more (more would be the only reason to 'upgrade' of course), but can anyone show me on paper how or why? How 225w will drive better than the 400w I have. I'm confident it may sound more wonderful in the low to mid volume (the way in imagining), but how does 225w>400w ... I'm not being sarcastic, I really want to know so I can make a good decision. Thanks
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,285
    A lot of AVR's don't put out the line voltage needed for pro amps
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    So it may be beneficial for me to drop my AVR Marantz SR7300 in favor of a pre-amp 2ch correct?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    How 225w will drive better than the 400w I have. I'm confident it may sound more wonderful in the low to mid volume (the way in imagining), but how does 225w>400w

    Current instead of voltage.
    So it may be beneficial for me to drop my AVR Marantz SR7300 in favor of a pre-amp 2ch correct?

    Yes, but not for the input sensitivity issue as that's not going to change with a 2 channel pre amp.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    F1nut wrote: »
    How 225w will drive better than the 400w I have. I'm confident it may sound more wonderful in the low to mid volume (the way in imagining), but how does 225w>400w

    Current instead of voltage.
    So it may be beneficial for me to drop my AVR Marantz SR7300 in favor of a pre-amp 2ch correct?

    Yes, but not for the input sensitivity issue as that's not going to change with a 2 channel pre amp.

    Regarding inc the current, can I compare the two then? What might the current be with the Ashly amp vs the Parasound 23?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ambiophonics
    ambiophonics Posts: 726
    As I mentioned previously your pro amp takes a +4db signal to achieve full output and your home gear is running at -10db. I feel many of the amps suggested would provide plenty of power for you. I use a Carver tfm-35 with my sda-2btl and a passive preamp and can easily get to uncomfortable volume levels.
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    A lot of AVR's don't put out the line voltage needed for pro amps

    2 Channel - Polk SDA-2BTL, Carver TFM-35, Peachtree iDAC, Qobuz streamed via Episode Lynk using bubble UPnP server
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    Got ya. Ok, I'm going to look into changing to a 2ch pre-amp, and at Parasound amp
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parasound-Model-2125-2-Channel-Amplifier-/231626367147?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ee01e0ab

    Here is a Parasound 2125 .. or would I be better with an A23 ?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    Or what about: Parasound HCA-1500A http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parasound-HCA-1500A-205-WPC-Stereo-Amp-in-New-Condition-/281751358534?

    For $550 or less- is it a good deal? Good to run with my speakers to enhance over what I have now?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    Alright guys, I went ahead and made an order...

    Parasound HCA 1200ii - $400 shipped

    Hopefully arrives in a week, and I'll be more than happy to share my experience regarding sound output, vs my current Ashly FET ... If it's as good as everyone says here, I'll sell the Ashly.

    t4sdl0pmmp5f.jpg
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    JNinja wrote: »
    Alright guys, I went ahead and made an order...

    Parasound HCA 1200ii - $400 shipped

    Hopefully arrives in a week, and I'll be more than happy to share my experience regarding sound output, vs my current Ashly FET ... If it's as good as everyone says here, I'll sell the Ashly.

    t4sdl0pmmp5f.jpg

    Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    Welcome to the 1200ii club JNinja, you're going to love this amp!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    What is the going price? Was $400 good, bad, or right....I know it can't be too far off..just curious

    Yeah, I have always been in some kind of audio hole. My first car stereo consisted of about 2500wRMs and $7k
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    You did fine at $400.00 shipped. ;)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    I'm glad I only paid $190 for the Ashly FET, if in fact I like this amp better...becaus the going rate on the Ashly is about $200, and it's crazy heavy for shipping...about 60lbs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,285
    JNinja wrote: »
    I'm glad I only paid $190 for the Ashly FET, if in fact I like this amp better...becaus the going rate on the Ashly is about $200, and it's crazy heavy for shipping...about 60lbs

    You can probably use it for a passive subwoofer

    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    The 1200ii is pretty heavy too, it's no slouch. Hopefully the seller will double box it for you. :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    How do you think that would mesh with SDA-2a's? A subwoofer added that is..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    I have a 12" Sony powered sub from like 15 years ago. Only 150w rms but it puts out. Obviously this has nothing to do with the Ashly amp, as the Sony's powered...but I've thought about hooking up, but have not even tried. To be honest, low end doesn't seem lacking in the SDAs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    It's personal preference. The bigger vintage Polks have plenty of bass IMO.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    edited July 2015
    You're gonna LOVE that Parasound with the SDA-2's. I'd say you're set for a good while. And as Tex said, you can save the Ashly for a future sub build (or even a couple of those Buttkicker things if you want more HT rumble). I'd avoid the Sony sub in any case.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    Thank you all for the input, and help along the way.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    @JNinja

    Congrats! Thats a good price shipped as mine at 350 would have cost around 50 to ship to you as well.

    You will love it.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JNinja
    JNinja Posts: 100
    I installed the .5ohm resistor today, and it seems like everything's come together now..

    Recap of Polk SDA-2a system:

    -Receiver (still) : Marantz SR7300
    -Amp : (now) : Parasound HCA 1200 ii
    -Tweeters : (now) : RDO194's
    -Crossovers : (now) : Sonicap 12's Daytona 20's
    -Polyswitch : (now) .5 ohm Mills
    -Wires (now) : monoprice 12ga

    I'm about $700 in all togther, and countless hours invested in learning, reading (redundant) , and laboring...

    Overall, it's been a great experience and change, and it sounds VERY GOOD. It's difficult to put a number on sound, but I feel as if I have a $3k-$4k system all in all, and it feels good.

    I really do feel that ANY upgrade from here, would be negligible to my ears, or more for aesthetics/mental.

    Thanks for the help to those who did or tried.. As Borat would say: "SUCCESS!"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    I really do feel that ANY upgrade from here, would be negligible to my ears, or more for aesthetics/mental.

    Don't sell yourself short.

    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter