My First Amp (for the interim) Parasound HCA1500A and some cables

ZenDawgg

I’ve add new additions to my system.

I was able to sell a band saw that I don’t use for $400 and lucked out with an eBay purchase. There was a Parasound HCA1500A that the guy wanted $450 for and I offered $325 because I was kind of hesitant to buy from eBay. Well he accepted and assured it was in good working order. Plus I think there is an Ebay/Paypal protection policy? Now I have an amp.




I also won a pair of MIT AVt3 a few weeks ago off of eBay because I didn’t see any on PAF, Audigon or US Audio Mart in the span that I was looking. And for the fact I didn’t have anything but homebrew….and I’m impatient. The guy said he was downsizing the number of systems that he has. He accepted $125 for them.

Then I saw somewhere on this forum the Music direct was having a sale on some items and I picked up one PS Audio - PerfectWave AC-3 for the amp and a set of Audioquest - Diamondback 1.0M RCA. The Diamondbacks haven’t arrived yet so I had to use a generic set that I have on my headphone setup to pass through to the amp.

What better way to spend the eve of a beginning blizzard…then by the fire with some wine and rearranging audio gear?

So I have everything connected properly and is working. Spent the night listening some HDtracks and Rhapsody streams. I’m very happy with my latest additions!

I do have a few questions which I will research more, but I figured I’d ask here.

1. Next up on my list (after selling or saving more) will be a P5, but I’m wondering what a P5 will gain over my Pioneer AVR? I do like the HT pass through features on the P5 and I believe it has a good DAC? I'm sure if I've actually listened to a proper pre/pro, amp, source, speakers I'd know...but I haven't and I'm building from scratch.

2. Are my streams from the HTPC via HDMI to the AVR using the DAC in AVR or the sound card on the HTPC? This confuses me and I need to figure out.

3. Does the AMP go to some sort of low power standby when the rest of the equipment is shut down, and like my subwoofer does? Or do you need to turn the rocker switch to off every time.

4. What used IC's should I be on the look out for that will give a noticeable improvement.

I think that is all I can think of for the moment.

Future goals:

Power Conditioner
P5 or Halo Integrated (depending on funds)
Source - CD? Phono?
DAC?
Center (possibly I seem to be into Music for the moment)
Surrounds (possibly I seem to be into Music for the moment)

Sorry this was so long but I get excited and windy.

Thanks!

Scott

Mikey081057

Nice... You are going to love the HCA.... Congrats on the score!

Theheadsn

I can kinda answer number 2

I use my PC rig as a media player as well. I have a pretty nice Nvidia card hooked up to my AVR through HDMI. I play all my BluRays and Flac files through it and it seems to be at its best. One thing I did find out, which I didn't realize, VCL doesn't play FLAC or Lossless. So I switched to MediaPlayer. That way you get exactly put through it. As far as streaming goes, it all depends on your source.

Btw, good deal with that Parasound amp

Mikey081057

I don't think there is an idle mode on the hca's. Some folks leave their amps on...

hochpt21

I leave my amps on.

ZenDawgg

Theheadsn wrote: »

I can kinda answer number 2

I use my PC rig as a media player as well. I have a pretty nice Nvidia card hooked up to my AVR through HDMI. I play all my BluRays and Flac files through it and it seems to be at its best. One thing I did find out, which I didn't realize, VCL doesn't play FLAC or Lossless. So I switched to MediaPlayer. That way you get exactly put through it. As far as streaming goes, it all depends on your source.

Btw, good deal with that Parasound amp

It is just using the integrated Intel 4000 HD. I guess I could run the gaming rig's Radeon R9 290 just to see.

I'm using foobar2000 or just streaming from Rhapsody at the moment.

ZenDawgg

Mikey081057 wrote: »

I don't think there is an idle mode on the hca's. Some folks leave their amps on...

Thanks...I believe I will enjoy it. I guess I would be worried about the electric bill leaving in on all of the time.

motorhead43026

I saw somewhere that a SS amp when not receiving a signal would use about the same electric as a 75 watt incandescent bulb.
My Parasound which does have standby uses 25w according to its manual.

jdjohn

I read that the 'A' in 1500A is for auto turn-on. I guess it doesn't have auto turn-off?

Mikey081057

Yes... it does.... but you have to use the external 12v trigger...Sending 12VDC to the connector on the back when powering on say your Pre... will turn on the amp. Powering off will turn off the amp.... Power switch must be in the off position...

AC Power Connections and AC Grounding
Before you connect the AC cord, make sure you amplifier's power switch is in the off position and the
external DC trigger is off. If possible, plug your amplifier directly to an AC wall outlet. Do not connect
the amplifier to the accessory AC outlet on your preamplifier or processor because the amplifier's current
draw exceeds the ratings of most preamplifier’s power switches and power cords. If you use an external
AC line conditioner or surge suppressor, make sure it can withstand the current draw of the amplifier.
DC Trigger Connection
This connector provides a way to trigger your amplifier on with an external DC voltage source ranging
from + 9 Vdc to +12 Vdc. With the main power switch on the off (down) position, the amplifier can be
turned on with voltage from any external DC source such as the +12 Vdc trigger from the Parasound
P/SP-1500. Since it is optically coupled, the DC trigger only requires 15 mA of current to activate the
circuitry and turn on the amplifier.
Operating Your HCA-1500A
Power Switch
Manual Turn On
Press the upper side to turn the unit on manually; press the lower side to turn the unit off.
Automatic Turn On
When the power switch is in the off position, the power amplifier can be turned on with an external DC
voltage applied at the DC trigger connector on the rear panel. (See above)
AC Line LED
The AC line LED on the front panel of your amplifier will illuminate whenever AC is present at the AC
connector. This LED indicates that the AC cord is connected and power is applied to the amplifier.

ZenDawgg

I will look into the 12v trigger from my AVR to the amp.

Thanks!

Mikey081057

Your amp may have a jack but you can cut the end off and use.

Upstatemax

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Your amp may have a jack but you can cut the end off and use.

That is how mine is connected to my P5. Easy to hook up.

motorhead43026

Max, you get that VC repaired yet? Got mine back last week for it's second volume pot. No complaints, all is good.

Upstatemax

motorhead43026 wrote: »

Max, you get that VC repaired yet? Got mine back last week for it's second volume pot. No complaints, all is good.

It's with Parasound now.

Now I'm bothering Rich about offering a DAC upgrade for the P5 to the ESS DAC that's in the Integrated.

He is not going for it. Lol.

He has very good reasons, but I still want it.

steveinaz

The HCA-1500 "A" has a trigger setup in the back. Personally, I've owned my HCA-1500A for 13yrs now, and I would NOT leave it on. They warm up quickly, and require good ventilation. Enjoy--mine isn't going anywhere.

ZenDawgg

steveinaz wrote: »

The HCA-1500 "A" has a trigger setup in the back. Personally, I've owned my HCA-1500A for 13yrs now, and I would NOT leave it on. They warm up quickly, and require good ventilation. Enjoy--mine isn't going anywhere.

I'm going to explore the 12v trigger this weekend. It's not that much of a pain to turn the amp on separately...but it is nice to hit one button on my Harmony One and have everything turn on.

Next I need to save for a P5 and possibly some sort of CD player...right now I'm just streaming to AVR via HDMI.

The HCA-1500A is a really nice edition to my first true music system.

steveinaz

You might want to consider a "DAC/Preamp" setup. I use my Benchmark DAC2 as my preamp, and take advantage of its performance by routing my sources thru it.

dpowell

Good idea to use the 12V trigger if you can to make sure the amp isn't on all the time. The HCA's love electricity and using the trigger will save you some $$ on your electric bill.

soundfreak1

An HCA1500 is a hell of a first amp. Very good equip. I have a soft spot for parasound equipment. They were my first step into separates. great price as well! Enjoy

soundfreak1

If I may (don't know the "type" of sound you like) however I have to mention some of the best sound (to me) I ever got was with a tube pre with the parasound, they seem to create a senergy with the warmer sound of the parasound. Very pleasing.

ZenDawgg

I'm happy so far, especially from where I came from just back in December.

So far every addition or change has been an improvement...even to my neophyte ears.

703's, SB-2000, amp, MIT's, diamondbacks.

I think my next item should be some sort of pre/DAC, specially since I'm just streaming at the moment.

I am open for anything at the point, especially since I have some time until I can generate cash flow.

I was considering the P5 because in the back of my head I'd still like to be able to use this system for HT as well, even though currently 95% of the use has been music.

But like I said, I'm open to anything and who knows... I might concentrate on music and then just swap cables around when i want to watch that occasional movie. I'm thinking the new 'Road Warrior' movie might be a good one to watch with the new gear.

Upstatemax

ZenDawgg wrote: »

I was considering the P5 because in the back of my head I'd still like to be able to use this system for HT as well, even though currently 95% of the use has been music.

But like I said, I'm open to anything and who knows... I might concentrate on music and then just swap cables around when i want to watch that occasional movie. I'm thinking the new 'Road Warrior' movie might be a good one to watch with the new gear.

I use my 2ch system with my P5 and HCA-1500A for movies many times.

Works very well.

ZenDawgg

I use my 2ch system with my P5 and HCA-1500A for movies many times.

Works very well.

That is the way I'm leaning at the moment,,,

Since my current system is streaming, how is the DAC in the P5? Will I need to eventually purchase a different one?

I'm also trying to envision how this set up would work.

When listening to music it would just be USB from my PC to the P5 and the 703's and sub would be connected to the P5.

But when I want to watch a movie I'd need to pass through the 703's and sub from the AVR to the P5?

Still learning....but thoroughly enjoying my system so far.

Upstatemax

The DAC in the P5 is pretty good.

The ONLY issue I have with it is that it will not take 192/24 over USB.

As for the sub, not sure how that's going to work. As long as the AVR is passing the FULL signal to the P5, it should be no issue.

But if it's crossing it over, it might require some settings changes to switch it over.

ZenDawgg

I will have to read up about the sub.

I'm 95% sure I will be getting the P5, it is just a matter of when I get the funds.

I see Toslink and Coaxial optical will accept up to 192 kHz.

Upstatemax

ZenDawgg wrote: »

I see Toslink and Coaxial optical will accept up to 192 kHz.

They will and they sound great.

My issue is with my laptop. My Macbook Pro Retina will output 192/24 only over USB. My "early" 2013 Macbook will not out it in optical.

soundfreak1

How about a USB /converter