FS: Parasound P/HP 850 Preamp

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm selling my first born. This is the first piece of audio equipment that I ever owned that I considered to be 'high end'. Truth be told, it's probably not a high-end player to most people, but it was my first step into separates.

This is a very sweet sounding preamp. You can do a search here or elsewhere online and find all the positive reviews. Alot of people have said that they regret selling theirs, and I'll likely be one of those people a few months from now.

I've moved on though, and this hasn't seen any time in the main rig in a couple months, it's all tubes from here on out for me.

So it's time to pass this on to the next in line. I bought this on here, and as such will keep it in the family.

I'd like to get $130 shipped (CONUS). I don't have many good pics, I'll post one that I have here.

Mike Reeter

I know this is not "looked upon" too well,but this is an awesome pre for the money...My first venture into true 2-channel was with the same pre.

You will not find anything in this price range that will touch the 850...period.

ohskigod

I rolled with this pre for a long time in the 2 channel rig. great pre on the cheap. any home theater guys wanting to start a seperate budget 2 channel, you wanna look at this (or buy it)

AsSiMiLaTeD

Thanks for the kind words guys. I know that whoever buys this thing will be quite pleased.

wingnut4772

I will take it.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Good deal, I'll send a PM your way to work out the details

wingnut4772

Polkmaniac wrote: »

Good deal, I'll send a PM your way to work out the details

Excellent. Thanks

wingnut4772

This thing sounds pretty damn good I must say. I think you might regret letting this one get away from you.:)

AsSiMiLaTeD

No doubt I'll regret it, glad you are enjoying it though...

Mike Reeter

Polkmaniac wrote: »

No doubt I'll regret it, glad you are enjoying it though...

I sold mine also to scrap up some funds for other gear,and yes I regret it also:D

wingnut4772

Mwah ha ha ha!!!! Well I have one now!!!!!!!!


I can't believe it is so inexpensive. It sounds almost as good as my Anthem D2 did on 2 channel.

Mike Reeter

wingnut4772 wrote: »

Mwah ha ha ha!!!! Well I have one now!!!!!!!!


I can't believe it is so inexpensive. It sounds almost as good as my Anthem D2 did on 2 channel.

Like I said,you would be hard pressed to find anything that can touch this pre for that kinda money...Enjoy your new toy!!!

wingnut4772

Ah...listenin' to some Muddy Waters Live. This is a really nice little pre. Very happy.

dkg999

That almost looks like the one I sold on the FM a while back! I don't remember who I sold it to! I had 3 of the 850's pass through my system and they are a fantastic pre for the money. Enjoy it!

steveinaz

The PH/P-850 is an excellent preamp, but gets little respect--I don't know why. I guess it's too good of a value to be "real" hi-fi....:rolleyes:

wingnut4772

steveinaz wrote: »

The PH/P-850 is an excellent preamp, but gets little respect--I don't know why.

Probably because it does not cost an arm or a leg. I am sure it would piss of a lot of people to hear it that spent tons on theirs. I took it yesterday to my dealer (audio not drug!:D ) and he said 'keep it' after listening to it. He could have tried to sell me something else but his opinion was that it would take me really far and did not see the need to upgrade it.

sucks2beme

It's a solid bang for the buck mid-fi product. My P/sp1000 works well in
stereo bypass mode. And it has a remote! Big bucks to do better.
Believe me, I've been looking.

AsSiMiLaTeD

That's it guy...rub it in :-)

steveinaz

sucks2beme wrote: »

It's a solid bang for the buck mid-fi product. My P/sp1000 works well in
stereo bypass mode. And it has a remote! Big bucks to do better.
Believe me, I've been looking.

So what exactly, keeps it from being a "hi-fi" product?

sucks2beme

steveinaz wrote: »

So what exactly, keeps it from being a "hi-fi" product?

Not much. The next rung up is a lot higher up the price scale for a somewhat better performance. These seem to reach into the realm without quite getting there. Better than my Nad, and better than the Rotel I had.
I know where you're going with this, but I'll just blunder into your trap.
Price????

heiney9

There is a good amount of this type of gear that flies under the radar. My Nakamichi CA-5 pre is in the same boat. Can pick them up all day in the $150-250 range and even a little less if you are diligent. They are a KILLER pre.

The key is the search for this type of gear.

I comes down to that last 10-15% of audio nirvana. It costs about 10-20 times more for a product that gets you 100% there.

The extra 10-15% is the killer.

H9

sucks2beme

heiney9 wrote: »

There is a good amount of this type of gear that flies under the radar. My Nakamichi CA-5 pre is in the same boat. Can pick them up all day in the $150-250 range and even a little less if you are diligent. They are a KILLER pre.

The key is the search for this type of gear.

I comes down to that last 10-15% of audio nirvana. It costs about 10-20 times more for a product that gets you 100% there.

The extra 10-15% is the killer.

H9

Much of what makes it Hifi is look and feel, as well as sound.
You'll get no disagreement from me that this a very nice unit.
Not quite there. Some of the newer stuff from Parasound definately
moves up to HiFi.

Lowell_M

sucks2beme wrote: »

Much of what makes it Hifi is look and feel, as well as sound.
You'll get no disagreement from me that this a very nice unit.
Not quite there. Some of the newer stuff from Parasound definately
moves up to HiFi.

can't say that I care too much what my Nak CA-5 looks like when I compare it's sweet sound to my much fancier with a lit up knob H/K receiver.


edit... Sorry to crap up the thread. Just realized this was a for sale thread for a Parasound Pre.....

steveinaz

Well, let me say this from experience; I replaced my PH/P-850 ($249) a few years ago with a Musical Fidelity A3CR (Retail $1520.00). The differences? VERY subtle. Mostly a deeper/wider soundstage and bit smoother treble. Definitely not a big difference---not even a modest difference, and definitely not a 1271 dollar difference. Of course the MF weighs about 15 times more than the Parasound, definitely better build. I just don't feel that those elements alone, dismiss the PHP to the "mid-fi" category.

steveinaz

a_mattison wrote: »

can't say that I care too much what my Nak CA-5 looks like when I compare it's sweet sound to my much fancier with a lit up knob H/K receiver.


edit... Sorry to crap up the thread. Just realized this was a for sale thread for a Parasound Pre.....

He sold it already. Darla snagged it.

beardog03

dkg999 wrote: »

That almost looks like the one I sold on the FM a while back! I don't remember who I sold it to! I had 3 of the 850's pass through my system and they are a fantastic pre for the money. Enjoy it!

maybe it`s the one I have....great pre..!

I have a HCA-1000, and the DQ-1600 reciever working with it in the garage rig
all Parasound in the garage !

along with some Rti 38i`s

I have had many pre amps, and this one stays

unless I sell the garage rig !!!

wingnut4772

steveinaz wrote: »

He sold it already. Darla snagged it.

Muahhhhahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!:D

beardog03

darla,
what svs`s are those in your HT rig ?

They sure are purdy !

wingnut4772

PB12 Plus/2 on the left and PB12 Ultra/2 on the right.