Parasound HCA1200 vs HCA 1200ii

concealer404

Couple HCA1200 on CL, not the "ii."

Currently have an HCA1000A, i like it a lot on my Paradigms, but it would suggested that it may not be up to the task of the RT16s.

Any reason why it's inferior to the "ii" or what i should not buy it for $300?

codycatalist

Hmm I wonder why it wouldn't be "up to the task" with the RT16s. 200 watts, plenty of current, warmer sound.

I don't see what wouldn't work with that pair.

concealer404

I'm not sure. I think it had to do with my comments about the RT16s not "waking up" until there was a good amount of volume going on. More than i typically casually use my system with.

codycatalist

concealer404 wrote: »

I'm not sure. I think it had to do with my comments about the RT16s not "waking up" until there was a good amount of volume going on. More than i typically casually use my system with.

Hmm, I wonder if they are hard to drive. I think I read somewhere they are 90db/w which isn't too bad, I am "subscribing" to this thread for some knowledge bombs that are about to be dropped on us.

pitdogg2

HCA-1200 Specifications Specifications subject to change without notice.
Continuous Power output - stereo
200 watts RMS x 2, 20Hz-20kHz, 8 W
300 watts RMS x 2, 20Hz-20kHz, 4 W
Continuous Power output - mono
600 watts RMS, 20Hz-20kHz, 8 W
600 watts RMS, 20Hz-20kHz, 4 W
Current Capacity
40 amperes continuous
57 amperes peak, up to 200msec.
Slew Rate
100V/msecond
Frequency response
8Hz-90kHz, +0/-3dB
Total Harmonic Distortion
< 0.08% at full power
< 0.03% typical levels
TIM
Unmeasurable
IM distortion
< 0.1%
Dynamic Headroom
> 1.5dB
Input impedance
30 kW
S/N ratio
>110dB, input shorted, IHF A weighted
Damping factor
Over 120 at 20Hz
Dimensions
17 1/4" wide x 5 1/2" high x 12" deep; 19" wide using RMK-1000 rack mount
Weight
38 lbs.
Special Features
•1kVA toroid power transformer
•60,000mfd gold capacitors in power supply
•60MHz output transistors, in AB mode
•Cascode Class A J-FET input stage




HCA-1200II spec's

• THX certified by Lucasfilm Ltd.
• Massive 1kVA power transformer
• 60,000µF computer-grade capacitors in power supply
• Multiple polystyrene film bypass capacitors in power supply
• Cascode Class A input stages with matched J-FET pairs
• Hand picked MOSFETs in high voltage driver stage
• 10 pairs of 50MHz, 15 ampere bipolar output transistors
• Output transistors direct-coupled to speakers without LRC network
• DC servo direct-coupled audio circuits with 3Hz roll off
• Linear tracking, instantaneous-acting DC servos
• High-bias Class AB operation
• Gold-plated metal structure RCA input jacks
• Multiple temperature sensors and silver-cadmium relay protection
• FR-4 glass epoxy circuit boards, double-sided for precision
• Proprietary quick-settling bias circuit obviates warmup period
• Custom designed audiophile-grade AC power cord.

Parasound HCA-1200II Specifications

Continuous Power Output - Stereo
205 watts RMS x 2, 20Hz-20kHz, 8 Ω, both channels driven
315 watts RMS x 2, 20Hz-20kHz, 4 Ω, both channels driven
Continuous Power Output - Mono
625 watts RMS, 20Hz-201kHz, 8 Ω

Current Capacity
40 amperes continuous
57 amperes peak

Slew Rate
>130V/µsecond

Frequency Response
8Hz-150kHz, +0/-3dB at 1 watt

Total Harmonic Distortion
< 0.06% at full power
< 0.03% typical levels

TIM
Unmeasurable

IM Distortion
< 0.04%

Dynamic Headroom
> 2dB

lnterchannel Crosstalk
> 80dB at 1kHz
> 63dB at 10kHz

lnput lmpedance
42kΩ

lnput Sensitivity
1.4V for rated output
1.0V for 28.28V output, THX reference level

S/N Ratio
> 110dB, input shorted, IHF A weighted

Damping Factor
> 600 at 20Hz

Dimensions
19" wide x 5.5 high x 13" deep

Weight
37 lbs. net

concealer404

Yeah 90db was mentioned in my thread, which is pretty much exactly what my Paradigms are (possibly "better") but they are taking a bit more to get going. Normal listening level on the Paradigms is -28db on the preamp. Same for RT16s is -20db, but they don't start to sound "good" until -14db. Then -10db is way too damn loud.

I noticed the Paradigms came alive earlier when i moved from the old Onkyo M5150 to the HCA1000A, so i can believe that maybe the HCA1200 would be an improvement, but i'm also not interested in a more failure-prone or sonically "dirty" amp than what i've got.