Anyone familiar with the Parasound PR200 preamp?

John in MA
John in MA Posts: 1,010
edited January 2008 in Electronics
Found one of these today in a snowbank at the local dump's scrap pile, if you can believe it. Just finished drying it out. Anyone know this model? Didn't find much online other than a couple references.
Post edited by John in MA on
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    wow.. i don't know anything about it... but interesting anyways.... in the snowbank at the local dump? ... post a pic of it.. i wanna see what someone threw out.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited December 2007
    me too !!
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited December 2007
    Reviewed in Stereo Review in 1985, so it's an earlier one. It's all dried out and cleaned up, powers on but I haven't tried running sound though it yet. Other than missing one button (pop-off style like Rotel used to use) and a dented corner from its trip into the scrap bin it looks pretty good.

    I also got a mint Pioneer SX-3700 receiver with the original manual. Managed to snag it from the owner before it went into the dumpster.

    para1.jpg
    para2.jpg
    para3.jpg
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited December 2007
    now that`s a score..!
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    sweet Jesus! I was expecting some POS pre amp, that thing is nicer than anything I have in my 2 ch rig. :p;)

    Guy, you scored big time it looks like.

    enjoy, let us know if they both work.. :)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited December 2007
    It works, and doesn't sound half bad, but there's a quiet 60hz hum and an equally quiet hiss. The hum's probably just needing new filter caps. Not sure about the hiss.
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited December 2007
    Upgrade some caps, etc., and you got a keeper !!
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • JoshParsons84
    JoshParsons84 Posts: 565
    edited December 2007
    That's awesome man! That's probably the score of a lifetime. Like they say one man's trash is another mans treasure. Congrats man! Seems like you've got really good luck. Everything is always better when it's free LOL
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited December 2007
    I have to give Parasound a major thumbs-down when it comes to product support. I asked them about the preamp, and the guy emails me back saying their information doesn't even include this model.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    John in MA wrote: »
    I have to give Parasound a major thumbs-down when it comes to product support. I asked them about the preamp, and the guy emails me back saying their information doesn't even include this model.

    not to unusual actually for an older model of equipment. I had a similar encounter with Pioneer about an amp. :confused:
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited December 2007
    Considering it's only from 1985 I'm a little surprised. Other modern "value" companies like NAD and Adcom still have service manuals and schematics available. I'd think these guys would at least be able to tell me they made the preamp.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    you would think so huh? Well Pioneer wanted me to call their customer service and give them the model # and serial # for my amp. I have yet to do it though.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,383
    edited December 2007
    Based on the guts shot, I wouldn't expect to much as far as sound quality from that Preamp. Looks like simple opamp gain section, chincy power supply, not very good isolation.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,383
    edited December 2007
    John in MA wrote: »
    I have to give Parasound a major thumbs-down when it comes to product support. I asked them about the preamp, and the guy emails me back saying their information doesn't even include this model.

    Despite the fact that they didn't have any info on your unit, I think you will find Paraound to provide excellent support. Tony Pointes has talked me through several service problems, pointed out weak areas in the design, and quickly forwarded schematics for every one of their products that I've ever asked about. He even talked me through a procedure to lower the overall gain of my PLD-2000, which would allow me to use a greater range of my volume control.

    Their parts department was helpful too. I picked up one of their amps and it did not have any feet on it. I figured I was screwed because one time I had a Pioneer Tuner that needed feet and Pioneer wanted more than $75 for a set of four. Parasound sent me a whole set of four matching feet for less than $15 shipped. Beat that.
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  • girluvskorn
    girluvskorn Posts: 1
    edited January 2008
    i have one of these in my garage , i got it from my parents house, they bought it in 1988 i think, anyway how much do you think its worth?:confused:
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2008
    I like keep it simple stupid topologies. Does the power cord have a ground? If so try a cheater plug to get rid of the hum.
    Nice find
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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