Amp upgrade

I-SIG
I-SIG Posts: 2,243
edited January 2005 in Electronics
How much of an upgrade would I be making if I went from my Parasound HCA-2200 to a Musical Fidelity A-300cr?

Are these MF amps bridgeable? I'm thinking no since they are dual mono.

Wes
Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2005
    Personally, I would consider it a move sideways. You wouldn't be gaining anything, but you would be losing output power....I'd think twice about it Wes.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited January 2005
    That why I was thinking a source upgrade would get me farther. Thanks, Steve!

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2005
    Absolutely, look at:

    Ah! Njoe Toeb
    Creek CD50MKII (this is what I would buy)
    Jolida
    Rega Jupiter

    to name a few....
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited January 2005
    it might be cooler in your room with the MF

    Ask me I would go for the MF
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • jmierzur
    jmierzur Posts: 489
    edited January 2005
    If you are looking to upgrade, I noticed a Sim Audio W-5 for sale.

    There is also a Sim Audio W-5 LE on audiogon.
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by jmierzur
    If you are looking to upgrade, I noticed a Sim Audio W-5 for sale.

    There is also a Sim Audio W-5 LE on audiogon.

    Anyone know if these are 4-ohm stable in bridged operation? They have a 2-ohm rating so I'mthinking they may be.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2005
    I think you're wasting your time upgrading the amp. You're gonna have to spend about 5 grand to get any noticeable performance increase over that Parasound.

    Hell, spend $1,500 on a great CD Player instead--you'll get much more bang for your buck, and the change in qulaity will not be subtle...

    Better yet:

    Cambridge Audio Azur 640 (used as a transport)
    Bel Canto DAC or MSB full nelson DAC

    Thats a killer rig....
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited January 2005
    Thanks, Steve. I'm most likely gonna end up with a source upgrade, but I'm still asking. :)

    What do you like about the Creek 50 MarkII player so much over the AH! player?

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2005
    Just a very solid unit that is getting rave reviews from everyone. It uses a DVD transport to eliminate jitter--smart idea. I think it made stereophiles' "A" list too, which is never a bad thing.

    One reviewer said "...it's about as close to perfect as digital gets..". Not a bad accolade for an under $1,300 CDP.

    I'm a bit weary of tubed sources...I dunno, I like alot of detail and from what I've read on the topic, most reveiwers mention "slight loss of detail." I grew up on solid state and personally prefer its sound...HOWEVER, you should listen to tubed CD Player, you might like the effect.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by steveinaz
    I'm a bit weary of tubed sources...I dunno, I like alot of detail and from what I've read on the topic, most reveiwers mention "slight loss of detail." I grew up on solid state and personally prefer its sound...HOWEVER, you should listen to tubed CD Player, you might like the effect.

    I was concerned about that after my experience with the tube preamp. I think my AA DLC preamp is a fairly warm piece of gear as is, but with better details than the tube pre. It seems a tubed source might bring the downside of tubes back into play for my gear a listening pleasures.

    Thanks again.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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