Parasound or Adcom

JDOGG · January 2004

Which would be a better performer for my Klipsches, an Adcom or a Parasound? I don't need much wattage, because f the sensitivity of my speakers(97db). I was thinking an HCA 750 from Para. or an Adcom GFA 5300. Both of these look great, but I don't know if there is a difference in performance. Any input appreciateed.
http://www.adcom.com/amplifiers/gfa5300.htm
http://www.parasound.com/products/amplifiers/hca750a.html

VR3 · January 2004

Adcom GFA-535, Adcom GFA-535 II

Have a great day,
Sid

PS: Eff the new ones, for the price they go for you can buy 2 of the old ones...

PSS: I own 3 of the Adcom GFA-535, one of the original, 2 of the II versions. All 3 are great amps! You can't go wrong. They usually go for about 170 shipped.

JDOGG · January 2004

Do you know of a website to get the old amps. I need new, nothing on Ebay or Audiogon.The dealer locator on Adcoms website showed nothing for Minnesota, unless there's something wrong with my internet. Oh, you have alot of great amps.:D

VR3 · January 2004

Thank ya.

EBay.

If you need new because of warranty. The chances of you using an Adcom warranty is about as good of a chance as you meeting Osama.

All these amps in my rack are 10 or so years old. I doubt any of them have had a problem. However, one does have a channel out which I use for my center amp but it runs fine other than that.

You won't find many sites that still carry the 2 models I listed above, but I wouldnt leave EBay out of the list of things. Either way I would go with Adcom. lol

JDOGG · January 2004

Nothing against the older amps, but I think I would like to stick with the newer amps. Thanks for the help

F1nut · January 2004

I vote Parasound

dorokusai · January 2004

Since you have specifically mentioned those two brands.... Parasound, hands down IMO.

Parasound was running specials on the HCA1500A, $699 brand new, 10 year warranty, 205x2@8....on the homepage....you may want to give them a call.

www.parasound.com

tonyv1 · January 2004

Another vote for Parasound. Take a look at their Halo line.

VR3 · January 2004

I vote NAD, eff both of them

gmorris · January 2004

we had a good thread about Parasound going a couple days ago. here is the link:

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15452

tonyv1 · January 2004

How about a tube amp? It'll drive the Klipsches and serve as a heater for those Minnesota winters.

organ · January 2004

That's a great suggestion, Tony, but I'm not sure if JDOGG is still thinking about getting tube amps. He was looking into them a few days ago.

JDOGG,
So you're set on SS now? For the price of the two Parasound amps you're planning to get, you can buy an Antique Sound Lab AQ1003DT integrated amp. Check it out at www.divertech.com I'll be getting one within 2-3 months. It has a built in bias meter so it's pretty much a "set it and forget it" kinda thing. Just tube replacement every year or two depending how often you use it.

What kind of music do you listen to? Who knows, tubes may be right for you.

Maurice

RuSsMaN · January 2004

Between your two choices, Parasound without a doubt. Adcoms can tend to sound 'grainy', especially in the upper octaves. I'm afraid the Klipsch would only make it more apparent.

If you are dead set on Parasound, I'd look at an HCA750, or 800 used. Even at 75wpc or so, it will be more power than you will ever use with very efficient speakers.

A tube preamp will be a nice touch of air and openess on top of it all, and should make for a winning combo (imo).

Cheers,
Russ

JDOGG · January 2004

I listen to my system alot, at least a couplr hours every day. I listen to rock music. Mudvayne, Slipknot, Metallica to name a few.I just might be the only one who listens to these on this forum.

organ · January 2004

Nope, you're not the only one. I listen to a lot of extreme metal from Europe especially black metal. I also listen to classical and opera. I'm not farmiliar with your bands but tubes do make those complex passages sound better. Every instrument can be heard clearly. It's up to you. SS or tubes, you're going to have a killer system. Keep us posted.

Maurice

JDOGG · January 2004

As I said in my tube amp post, I need to build up my funds. I just got the new speakers and this computer I'm typing on a couple months ago.Back to shoveling and mowing lawns(in the summer). The reciever was a gift. Can't wait though.

organ · January 2004

That's cool. Take your time and do a lot of research before spending a lot of money. If I get my ASL before your upgrade, I'll let you know how it performs on the Klipsch. Our speakers are very similar except the driver/cab/horn size and 1db difference between the 25 and 35.

Maurice

JDOGG · January 2004

Two mono blocks might be cool for you organ.
http://www.divertech.com/aslwaveav20dt.htm

goingganzo · January 2004

i would say adcom b&k rotel or anthem or sunfire

dorokusai · January 2004

I think it is nice to see someone ask for a comparison between two specific amplifiers, and get 100 alternate choices.

I think that someone that chose, of all amplifiers, Adcom and Parasound...that he at least gave a little thought to the idea. Can we give him some credit, and comment on his two(2) choices? He didn't choose Radio Shack, Sears or even the high speed Wal-Mart brand.

Buy whatever you want, its your money. I am sure you will make the right decision.

JDOGG · January 2004

Since I will eventually be adding another amp, would it be better to buy monoblocks? Like Outlaw's new Model 200 M-block amp.

http://www.outlawaudio.com//products/200.html
So many amps to choose. Why is it so hard?

organ · January 2004

JDOGG,
I did think about those mono blocks at one time. The earlier models (Wave 8 and 10) received some nice reviews. But I think I'm getting the AQ1003DT for the EL-34 power tubes. I have an EL-34 tube fetish. Those are the power tubes I used on the Dyna amp and I love their sound. Most audiophiles like them the most too because they have "character" and also have the most "romantic" sound. I couldn't agree more.

A lot of people like mono blocks because you get a seperate power supply for each channel and there's no chance of "crosstalk" between channels. It could still happen in the pre or source though.

Just remember that your speakers won'tt need too much power because of their high sensitivity. Also, some people say that very high powered SS amps are not a good match with high sensitivity speakers because the amp will hardly be putting out any power and amps have "crosstalk" and more distortion when driving horns with very little power. Not sure if this is true though. My NAD is 120w/ch and it sounds fine with the Klipsch.

Maurice

JDOGG · January 2004

I hope to have my center and two mains amped. I have two shelf spaces left on my A/V rack each with a foot if not more apart. Would stack ing these make them run hot? The main amps stcked and the center channel on its own shelf, or just stack them all.My uncle told me about how you should have more power going to your speakers than what is listed. Like if they are 125 wts RMS, then have 150,200. Is this true. Thanks everyone for responding and being patient.:)

JDOGG · January 2004

Maybe just one of these.
http://www.soundcity.com/product.php?product_id=14335&id1=HOME%20AUDIO
hahahaha yea right, never would buy it. Even if it was free.

organ · January 2004

But don't you think they'd look cute with a pair of B*se cubes and that puppy woof box?;)

I wouldn't stack amps due to heat buildup. I know some amps run cool but my friend's Yammi receiver kept going into protect mode everytime it gets too hot because he didn't provide enough clearence. I see some people stacking amps and they don't have any problem.

Your uncle is right but only for power hungry speakers like the LSi and not high efficiency speakers.

Do you know about the Klipschorn from the Heritage line? It's their most sensitive speaker and believe it or not, their owners power them with 2w/ch SET tube amps! You won't be using all that extra power. Your speakers will play loud with little juice.

Maurice

VR3 · January 2004

Stacking amps...hmm

It runs hot, but honestly...Adcoms run hot anyways, so let them be hot...lol

You could get Klipsch to play 110db with tin foil and a tazer...

How about a Audiosource? Can be found on EBay and Partsexpress.com

Due to the brightness of Adcoms, Ima have to vote parasound or nad...possibly AMC

JDOGG · January 2004

Organ,
do you think 125wts from an HCA 1000A is too much? Whats the difference between the 125 and the 125 wts from the Halo A23? Is it worth the extra $200? The Halo looks 100 times better.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=PARHA23&product_name=Halo%20A23%20Balanced%20Amplifier
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=PARHCA1000A

organ · January 2004

That's plenty. At one time when my parents went out I got the RF-35 to play at concert level using a 35w/ch tube amp. I have no experience with Parasound so I can't say if the Halo is worth the extra $200. Best thing to do is to find out which model is brighter sounding and avoid that. With your speaers you'd want a warmer sounding amp. With most SS amp, you'll have no choice of getting an amp that's under 100w/ch. My SS amp is 120w/ch and it sounds great with the RF-35.

Have you looked at NAD? I'm using a C270 to power mine and it sounds super. I also find that switching pre amps make a big difference. The NAD pre sounds excellent but I find the Rotel pre too harsh and bright at high volume. It sounds great at low and mid volume though. The C270 has been replaced by another 2ch amp. I think it's a C272. You should be able to find one for under $500. Check out www.nadelectronics.com Read about the features especially the "Impedance Sensing Circuitry". I find that one very interesting.

Maurice

JDOGG · January 2004

I'm gonna try and get to an authorized dealer today or tomorrow. Thanks for all the help.:)

VR3 · January 2004

I still think he outta look into NAD and AMC...

Parasound or Adcom

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