Anthem vs Parasound?

billbillw

Anyone here compare the two directly?

Really looking to compare something like the MCA-2 or MCA-20 to the HCA-1500a or HCA-2200ii. Anthem seems to be more assosicated with HT use, but the MCA-20 seems to be a pretty healthy 2ch amp, stable down to 2ohm.

Looks like we run into the age old comparison of bipolar versus MOSFET too.

reeltrouble1

Toss Up, never heard a product from either company that did not sound excellent, sorry, but, well, OK if really pressed, Anthem, just because they make some excellent tube gear. Parasound is known for its bass extension.

I know----buy both.


RT1

cfrizz

You're SO helpful Ted!:rolleyes:

And NO I don't want any tubes!:D

reeltrouble1 wrote:

Toss Up, never heard a product from either company that did not sound excellent, sorry, but, well, OK if really pressed, Anthem, just because they make some excellent tube gear. Parasound is known for its bass extension.

I know----buy both.


RT1

Emlyn

I'd put the old Anthem amps (with the exception of the tubed input stage hybrid design) more on par with Rotel during the time period they were built than Parasound, meaning a slight notch below Parasound's HCA series in build and sound quality. Either is a good choice though. Buy both.

beardog03

I`m partial to Parasound myself, but have never owned Anthem gear...


It`s hard to find a place to do an A/B on alot of different gear

Sorry....wish I was more help...

Ferres

I've owned 1xHCA 2200II and 3xHCA 1200II's. Ive replaced them with a Rotel Rmb-1077. I'm very happy with the results.

Don't get me wrong, these old parasound models are very good and built like tanks. The Rmb1077 just gave more detail and clarity with a far smaller footprint.

billbillw

No way am I going to a class D amp. I don't care about footprint and I don't believe that the sound is better. If it is, there was something wrong with the other amps.

Ferres

billbillw wrote:

No way am I going to a class D amp. I don't care about footprint and I don't believe that the sound is better. If it is, there was something wrong with the other amps.

...will save you on the electric bill as well.

disneyjoe7

I give Parasound a plug, but sorry I haven't heard both. Other than that a fan of bipolar over MOSFET, Ted I'm still waiting

billbillw

Well, thanks for all the input. I'm going to try a Parasound again (HCA-2200ii). Hopefully this time, it doesn't get damaged in shipping like the one a few weeks ago.

ND13

I've got both and love them both. For lower listening levels I prefer the tubed Anthem, but when needing to rock out a bit the PSound has the balls and headroom needed.

reeltrouble1

disneyjoe7 wrote:

I give Parasound a plug, but sorry I haven't heard both. Other than that a fan of bipolar over MOSFET, Ted I'm still waiting

mosfet rules, you know what bi-polar does, its confused and needs drugs, just different sides on the audio coins. You did hear some Anthem DJ, we used them to bi-amp BDT's SRS. Hybrid, tubed and sand.

RT1

disneyjoe7

Ya ok but I take my bi-polar trans anyday. Heck you can't have it all Mosfet and Tubes killer power cords.

Ferres

billbillw wrote:

Well, thanks for all the input. I'm going to try a Parasound again (HCA-2200ii). Hopefully this time, it doesn't get damaged in shipping like the one a few weeks ago.

Great Amp.

This is the one that turned me to separates.

dorokusai

I'm a lover of the tube hybrids from Anthem as they are just fun to listen to and enjoy.....Parasound is all about brutality and power.

billbillw

dorokusai wrote:

I'm a lover of the tube hybrids from Anthem as they are just fun to listen to and enjoy.....Parasound is all about brutality and power.

Looks like your a fan of the John Curl work at least (CTC BBQ). I wasn't really looking at the hybrid Anthems, only the big solid states.

I must admit, I thought the Parasounds used Mosfets, but I was mistaken. They use bipolar pairs for their outputs. They do use a pair of mosfets for the high voltage drivers. It all gets confusing for this Chem Engineer. Just when I thought I understood general amp topology, looking at these parasound schematics makes my head spin.

dorokusai

You would be correct, I'm a Curl head. I read a couple books, suprised I can read huh called High Power Amplifier Construction Manual(Slone) and Audio Power Amplifier Design Handbook(Self) if you want to get chunky. Both books are fairly user friendly but had me confused on more than one chapter at times.

billbillw

Cool. Mind me asking how you ever got your hands on that BBQ? Luck, inside track, or just paid dearly for it!

Maybe I'll look up some of those books if I ever get some free time.

dorokusai

Luck.

billbillw

All I gotta say is WOW! What a difference a clean, high current 250+ watt amp makes with my Mirage! No regrets so far with the Parasound. System is kinda in transition right now, but pics to come soon (guts and arse too).

hearingimpared

billbillw wrote:

All I gotta say is WOW! What a difference a clean, high current 250+ watt amp makes with my Mirage! No regrets so far with the Parasound. System is kinda in transition right now, but pics to come soon (guts and arse too).

I was very interested in this thread and I'm glad to hear what you've written above. I just purchased a Parasound HCA-1000A that I am planning to use on the vertical bi-amping of my 1.2 TLs. I'm going to use the 565 mono blocks on the low freqs and the Parasound on the high. Doro told me that I would love it and now you are making me drool while waiting for the darn thing.:)

cfrizz

Congrats Bill! Yes a great deal of difference is made when you put that much power to a pair of speakers!:D

billbillw wrote:

All I gotta say is WOW! What a difference a clean, high current 250+ watt amp makes with my Mirage! No regrets so far with the Parasound. System is kinda in transition right now, but pics to come soon (guts and arse too).

disneyjoe7

All sounds good, I too really enjoy my Parasound amps.

beardog03

I also have the 1000A..

and an HCA-3500..

I really like Parasound...







...and Cary !!

beardog03

my rig in the Garage consists of;

Parasound HCA-1000A amp
Parasound P/HP-850 pre amp
Parasound T/DQ-1600 Broadcast Reference Tuner
AQ King Cobra / Diamondback I/C`s
Munster Cable Speak cable
Polk RT38i`s

Sounds pretty good for a Garage System..

disneyjoe7

The address I be right over.

beardog03

yer always welcome here bro..!!

those that are not welcome....well let`s just say they won`t be leaving the same way they arrived !

disneyjoe7

beardog03 wrote:

yer always welcome here bro..!!

Thanks maybe some day I could do it. Look me up if you're ever around Orlando.

those that are not welcome....well let`s just say they won`t be leaving the same way they arrived !

LOL

beardog03

The amp in my Main Rig id the HCA-3500

It`s got less than 200 hrs on it

very much MINTY !


I don`t believe that I have ever heard an Anthem amp to tell you the truth

My HT rig has a HCA-2205A 5 CH amp for the surround

I guess I`m kinda Biased...

I just realized how many Parasound pieces I have...damn

billbillw

Sheeuut! Beardog, you sound like you own stock in Parasound! Must be the local Bay Area influence. Support your locals eh?

hearingimpared

Isn't there a Parasound office across town from you BD??? I was talking with Polk65 and he said it is not far from where he lives. I think the closest company to me that I really care about is VPI but I can never find it when I used to travel to that area.