very confused

Rex81

I hate to throw a wrench in here (and I may be too late), but you say you're on a budget and you're nervous buying used so...

Have you considered a brand new Crown XLS 1000 or 1500? They don't get a lot of respect on here because they're professional amps, but those of us that have heard them, love them. I think they're a fantastic choice for driving SDAs. I've run my XLS 1500 into a set of 2B, SRS 2 and original SRS. It runs 525 watts a channel into 4 ohms and is stable down to 2. At ear splitting volumes on the SRS, the XLS was barely working up a sweat. Nice neutral sound, and dead quiet. I bought mine brand new on Amazon with full 3 year warranty for $199 with no tax and free shipping. They're discontinued now because there's a newer version out so they're a little harder to find at that price, but I'm sure there are some more out there. Although the new version is still a good deal too.

I'm really surprised more people aren't using these. The only drawback is that they're truly an ugly piece of gear. But that doesn't bother me as it's hidden away in a cabinet.

heiney9

Realistic wrote: »

Damping factor for the 1500a is 800 at 20hz. Damping factor for the 2250 is over 150 at 20hz. What is this and why is there such a big difference between the 2.

Anything over 100 is all you need to worry about. As F1Nut said, way too much emphasis is put on that number. Slew rate is another spec thrown around that really means nothing. As a static stat it tells you nothing about how the amp performs.

Where damping factor can be an issue is low power tube amps. But that's for a whole other discussion.

H9

Realistic

Yes to late but thanks for the reply. Its a done deal as of 8 pm today, man im nervous and anxious now. I paid 560 with shipping and it wont be here until next Tuesday it said, that's a bummer. I just hope it works as good as it looks in the pics, it looks like new. I am gonna go puke now nerves are gonna get the best of me waiting that long. I have never spent that kind of money on something I couldn't see or try in person. Thank you all for the help and information and the nudge I needed to get a quality amplifier. I will update as soon as it arrives. Bob.

motorhead43026

What did you buy and where?

Realistic

Parasound hca-1500a on ebay.

motorhead43026

The one in Indiana? That looked real clean, enjoy.

Realistic

Yup but man I wish it could get here before next week. I live in upstate ny in a pretty small town so this stuff is very hard if not impossible to come by local so I have to do the online thing. If I wanted a tractor a cow or some hay I would be in great shape lol.

boston1450

Nice unit. Im always more worried about shipping & getting it in good condition OVER how fast i get it. Although we all get the way you are too. This is how i feel sometime http://youtu.be/uoLoyg3JKRQ

TennMan

I think you are getting a great amp but I think you probably could have gotten a nice Adcom 555 for about $200 less.

Nightfall

Sometimes mint condition is worth the extra cost. Congrats on the new amp, you'll have it before you know it.

RandyCroissant

I think you made a great buy, If it works as well as it looks.

soundfreak1

TennMan wrote: »

I think you are getting a great amp but I think you probably could have gotten a nice Adcom 555 for about $200 less.

A 555 isn't half the amp the 1500 is. And the 555 is worth about 250.tops mint and I would get a hca1200 first.

If that 1500 is right you made a good decision. Don't sweat it.

Realistic

Well I received a email from the seller stating that he had to travel unexpectedly man I hope this is not a bad deal. He sent me the email at 144 am so maybe he is a honest guy I hope. Told you guys I was gonna puke lol. This really sucks.

Realistic

Well I asked you guys for help in selecting a good amplifier for my sda2s and I listened. Its nice to have a place that knows what works with a particular polk speaker it really helps ease the brain and wallet when im not making a bunch of bad expensive decisions. Thanks again for all the help I will keep you all updated on when it ships. Bob.

Nightfall

Don't stress. Worst case you get your money back, right?

Realistic

Man I sure hope so I did it all on ebay, but I would rather have the amp. It was hard enough to find a nice one and pull the trigger. I hope I hear back from him soon he said it would be shipped Saturday because he wont be back until late Friday. I couldn't wait to get home today and check my email for a its been shipped it was what was keeping me from going nuts working on junk rusted piles of s...t cars all day but not to be. Rolaids anyone....

F1nut

Don't sweat it, PayPal will refund you in full if he doesn't deliver.

TennMan

soundfreak1 wrote: »

TennMan wrote: »

I think you are getting a great amp but I think you probably could have gotten a nice Adcom 555 for about $200 less.

A 555 isn't half the amp the 1500 is. And the 555 is worth about 250.tops mint and I would get a hca1200 first.

If that 1500 is right you made a good decision. Don't sweat it.

I can't argue with that. I've never heard a 1500. If it is twice as good as a 555 it is one H.E.L.L of an amp. I think you will have a hard time finding many mint 555s for $250. I've not been able to find them

soundfreak1

The 555's aren't that rare the 555ii is a step up,,just picked up a 555ii in a trade deal set me back about 400 in trade value but would have got a HCA 1200 in a heart beat if available to me. I stay away from fleebay like the plague due to the pricing and I would rather buy here or other sites I go to. I'm patient enough (usually) to find what I need (have been lucky as well) but those vintage parasound amp are really nice amps and very modable and repairable.and I just like them. Ive had quite a few of them before the krell and it took a Krell to replace them LOL using the 555ii to drive two JBL drivers in a biamp set up so the diff here isn't that critical. All I needed was 200W at 1000htz and lower.the 555ii will do that for awhile until better shows up. I'd replace it in a heart beat with a parasound if one came to me. Had to give up a h a 1200 and a hca2003 ((3 ch.amp) to pay for the Krell, and though I love what the krell does I miss the parasounds. They also work so well with all Polks I've hooked them to. Polk and parasound just complement each other very well. Through in a tube pre and your in heaven.

Realistic

It has been shipped, it should be here by Tuesday. I cant wait.

Realistic

Ok guys the amp is here but really cold how long should I wait to hook it up? Thanks again for all the help.

F1nut

Until it's room temp.

Realistic

Thanks a lot, I have to go p.ss again man am I wound up or what. I feel like my son did when I got him his first bigger dirt bike.

Realistic

For what its worth you guys are dealing with a 46yr old kid, just ask my wife lol.

tonyb

Realistic wrote: »

For what its worth you guys are dealing with a 46yr old kid, just ask my wife lol.

No biggie, we have lots of those around here. lol

You have the cables to hook 'er up I take it ?

RandyCroissant

This is great!! Taking a new girl out on a first date, always fun.

Realistic

Yes I have a pair if nachamachi not sure on the spelling cables. Yup shes up and running and you can clearly her a audible difference in a great way. I am so happy for finding this site and all of you thanks again for the amp recommendation. I do notice that the right side of the amp is pretty warm and the left side of the amp is barely warm at all, is this a problem, maybe a adjustment needs attention? Thanks again guys you all have made me very happy. Next up is a preamp, the amp deserves it. Not until tax time though. Please advise on the heat issue.

Realistic

Yes it is like a first date but I don't have to hide the bump in my pants lol.

motorhead43026

I do notice that the right side of the amp is pretty warm and the left side of the amp is barely warm at all, is this a problem, maybe a adjustment needs attention? it. Not until tax time though. Please advise on the heat issue.[/quote]


This is normal, crank it up.

Nightfall

motorhead43026 wrote: »

This is normal

I would have guessed it should be equally hot on each side, there's two heatsinks, one on each side.