GFA-545II for $200 or HCA-1000A for $275?

McCelery
McCelery Posts: 123
edited May 2007 in Electronics
Hi all,

The Adcom vs. Parasound discussion has seen many iterations, I know, but maybe I can cram one more quick one in.

I can get a 545II for $200 or a 1000A for $250-$300, depending on how my CL haggling skills pan out. At a $100 difference, are they comparable deals? They're both in superb condition. The Parasound seems beefier, but I doubt I'd notice the difference. Both quite reliable?

If there's already an identical thread, please let me slide ;)
Post edited by McCelery on
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Comments

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,803
    edited May 2007
    I recall paying like 150 for a 545 like.... a year or two ago.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited May 2007
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    I recall paying like 150 for a 545 like.... a year or two ago.

    Prices have mantained on Adcoms and have actually increased slightly $200 for a very good cond. 545II is a good deal. I prefer the Adcom over the Parasound. That being said you can't go wrong with either, but save yourself $100. The Adcom has better detail and much better bass extension, tighter as well, IMO.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited May 2007
    buy em both. then sell the one you don't like. :)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • McCelery
    McCelery Posts: 123
    edited May 2007
    Helpful answers all around. I'll shoot for the Adcom and pray that the mystery "2nd output" on my Sony works for shooting signals to an outboard amp!
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  • crossroads
    crossroads Posts: 32
    edited May 2007
    I would take the Parasound nice sounding and easy to listen to. Good luck and have fun.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited May 2007
    Parasound over Adcom every day of the week for me...
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,887
    edited May 2007
    I'd say Parasound too. They are nearly bulletproof and have a more natural sound. Adcoms can be grainy to some.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • McCelery
    McCelery Posts: 123
    edited May 2007
    Hehe, the plot thickens. Even split. I'll let market forces play their part and let you know what I went with. I've never heard either one, but can only imagine both sound waaaaay fuller than the Sony receiver I'm using now...
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,887
    edited May 2007
    I meant to mention in my original post that I think $275 may be too high for an HCA-1000a. Average Ebay price on those seems to be $215 or so.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • McCelery
    McCelery Posts: 123
    edited May 2007
    Shooooot, let me know when you find that price for one in great condition...
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited May 2007
    I have both Adcom 5400 and a Parasound HCA 1000A,I prefer the Parasound
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,887
    edited May 2007
    McCelery wrote: »
    Shooooot, let me know when you find that price for one in great condition...

    Check Ebay, last three sold for less than $250. Two are currently in that price range.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited May 2007
    I have Adcoms and a Parasound in my rig powering my 1.2tls. If you buy the Parasound and don't like it, I'll take it. $275 is a little high if that doesn't include shipping.
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  • McCelery
    McCelery Posts: 123
    edited May 2007
    billbillw wrote: »
    Check Ebay, last three sold for less than $250. Two are currently in that price range.

    Yup, that's what I'm watching. Just saw a couple go for over $250 but that was including shipping, which I consider the overall price.

    Thanks for all feedback, everyone. The fact people even give a **** what newbie me is getting for his rig is really reassuring.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited May 2007
    McCelery wrote: »
    Yup, that's what I'm watching. Just saw a couple go for over $250 but that was including shipping, which I consider the overall price.

    Thanks for all feedback, everyone. The fact people even give a **** what newbie me is getting for his rig is really reassuring.

    Welcome to the best club on the web. Keep me in the loop with the Parasound, I wouldn't mind getting another and bridging the two mono and have one on each speaker powering the highs.

    Thanks:)
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,887
    edited May 2007
    McCelery wrote: »
    Yup, that's what I'm watching. Just saw a couple go for over $250 but that was including shipping, which I consider the overall price.

    Thanks for all feedback, everyone. The fact people even give a **** what newbie me is getting for his rig is really reassuring.

    Just remember that Craigslist is not Ebay, its more like a garage sale. Sellers who are realistic, will sell for a lower price due to the ease of listing, lack of fees, and not having to ship. Talk to your local seller and show him the last few completed auctions, which I saw were from $200-$250. Shipping shouldn't be included when negotiating because that is something the seller does not get anyway (unless they are price gouging the shipping cost). Fees on Ebay w/PayPal add up to more than 6% or the selling price. Use those facts to negotiate.
    Good luck.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • Spacedeckman
    Spacedeckman Posts: 96
    edited May 2007
    McCelery wrote: »
    Hi all,

    The Adcom vs. Parasound discussion has seen many iterations, I know, but maybe I can cram one more quick one in.

    I can get a 545II for $200 or a 1000A for $250-$300, depending on how my CL haggling skills pan out. At a $100 difference, are they comparable deals? They're both in superb condition. The Parasound seems beefier, but I doubt I'd notice the difference. Both quite reliable?

    If there's already an identical thread, please let me slide ;)

    I've had a 545II, and wasn't impressed. Much happier with the 750A I'm running now. Better sounding amp all around.

    I really hated that Adcom. One of two products that I bought over the years that just irritated me, but I was kind of stuck with it for a while. Not a "smooth" sounding amp by any stretch. Very annoying in the upper mids and highs. Parasound doesn't have that problem.

    Mark
    System:

    VPI Scout/Benz Ace
    Sutherland PH2000
    Arcam CD72
    Yamaha DVD-CX1 (primarily for CD..26 lbs, all BB D/A)
    Audioprism Mantissa w/Reference PS
    Parasound HCA750 (temporary)
    Audiovector M1 Signatures
    Kimber 4TC x 2
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