My patience has paid off!

breal74
breal74 Posts: 324
edited September 2011 in Electronics
I have been looking for a five channel amp for about 5 month now and I have finally purchased one. I was temped by Emotiva for the price, but know that I would always wonder how a Parasound would sound. Well, my patience has paid off! I found a Parasound HCA 2205AT on Craigslist this weekend in great shape and for a good price (under $800). I is now running my RTi12's and CSi5 and they sound awesome! My Marantz SR5005 just wasn't cutting it for me. Even hooked up my S6's for some two channel listening and they have never sounded better in the 17 years I have had them! Thanks to all who have helped out so far. I have never been happier with my set up.:biggrin:
Post edited by breal74 on
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited September 2011
    That's a good deal on a great amp.:cool:

    Enjoy it, man; you deserve it! You did the research and had the patience necessary to secure yourself a very nice piece!:biggrin:


    So what's the rest of your setup?
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    edited September 2011
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    So what's the rest of your setup?

    Def Tech Pro Cinema 800's, looking to upgrade to FXi5's down the road
    Toshiba 40inch (for now)
    Panasonic BDP 210 Blu ray player
    Older Yamaha single disc CD player
    Belkin pureav pf60

    Besides a bigger TV, my next step I'm working towards is a separate pre amp, DAC, and some better speakers for 2 channel listening. I am wanting to hook the pre amp up to channels 4 and 5 on the parasound for amplification. Long road, but I know I will get there.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited September 2011
    breal74 wrote: »
    ...my next step I'm working towards is a separate pre amp, DAC, and some better speakers for 2 channel listening. I am wanting to hook the pre amp up to channels 4 and 5 on the parasound for amplification. Long road, but I know I will get there.

    Cool, man; have fun!

    Would the better speakers for 2-channel listening be in addition to the fronts in your HT setup, or would they replace the fronts in your HT setup?

    If the "better" speakers will replace the fronts you're using now, there are some 2-channel preamps that have a HT bypass input so that you can run the same speakers off the same power amp, but with a different preamp; that would let you use channels 4 & 5 on the 2205 for your surrounds.

    If the better speakers for 2-channel listening would be in addition to your RTi-12's, then I think it's a good idea (and use of that amp), to use 4 & 5 to power those new speakers.

    What speakers are you thinking about for 2-channel? Is there something that you don't like about the RTi-12's? They are a formidable speaker. Is there a different sound you're going after for 2-channel? What kind of music do you listen to?
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited September 2011
    Congratulations! Patience in things like this always pay off. Enjoy.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited September 2011
    Congrats!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • angelsfann02
    angelsfann02 Posts: 589
    edited September 2011
    Great find & congrats! I own the very similar 2205a, and aside from the faceplate its supposidly identical ( internally) to the 2205at. I do have to say that you would have been ok with the Emotiva as well. ( I know Emotiva doesnt have too many fans) But I really like my Xpa-5. So much that it remains in my main system even after comparing it with the Parasound 2205a for one month. I plan on writing a review later. Anyhow its still a top notch, solid performing amp.
    LIVING ROOM:
    Pioneer PDP-6070HD, Pioneer Elite SC-25, Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD,
    Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva USP-1, Polk LSI15's, Polk LSiC, Velodyne 12", Mirage Nanosat Prestige rears, MIT AVT Speaker Cables, Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects, Panamax M5300pm Surge Protection/ Power Conditioning
    BEDROOM: VIZIO 32" LCD, Pioneer Elite VSX-23txh, Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD, Parasound HCA-2205A, Mirage Nanosat Prestige Speakers 5.1, Mirage S8 Sub, Monoprice cables, APC Surge Protection.
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  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    edited September 2011
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    What speakers are you thinking about for 2-channel? Is there something that you don't like about the RTi-12's? They are a formidable speaker. Is there a different sound you're going after for 2-channel? What kind of music do you listen to?

    I heard some Monitor Audio GX100 the other day that blew me away, but I am still searching. I love the sound of my RTi12's, but I have always had different sets of Polk's and would like to try something else, that's all. As far as music goes I listen to anything from older country (Conway Twitty/ Merle Haggard), to rock, hip hop, afro beat, jazz, funk. I am wide open to all types of music.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited September 2011
    breal74 wrote: »
    I heard some Monitor Audio GX100 the other day that blew me away, but I am still searching. I love the sound of my RTi12's, but I have always had different sets of Polk's and would like to try something else, that's all. As far as music goes I listen to anything from older country (Conway Twitty/ Merle Haggard), to rock, hip hop, afro beat, jazz, funk. I am wide open to all types of music.

    ok, but what about my other question:

    - are these speakers going to replace the rti-12's or be setup in addition to them? If they're going to be in addition to them, are they going to sit right next to them or be elsewhere?

    I listen to anything from older country (Conway Twitty/ Merle Haggard), to rock, hip hop, afro beat, jazz, funk

    What, no classical? No bluegrass?

    jk man; it's good to see that you enjoy different types of music.:biggrin:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    edited September 2011
    angelsfann02 wrote: »
    Great find & congrats! I own the very similar 2205a, and aside from the faceplate its supposidly identical ( internally) to the 2205at. I do have to say that you would have been ok with the Emotiva as well. ( I know Emotiva doesnt have too many fans) But I really like my Xpa-5. So much that it remains in my main system even after comparing it with the Parasound 2205a for one month. I plan on writing a review later. Anyhow its still a top notch, solid performing amp.

    I am still curious about Emotiva and plan on trying one out in the future. With the 30 day return policy and all, I don't see a downside to it. If I like it better than the Parasound I will keep the Emotiva and sell the Parasound. A guy traded in a Levinson 532 for two XPA-1's at a local audio store because he prefered the sound of the Emotiva mono blocks. Deeper down the hole I go!
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  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    edited September 2011
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    ok, but what about my other question:

    - are these speakers going to replace the rti-12's or be setup in addition to them? If they're going to be in addition to them, are they going to sit right next to them or be elsewhere?:

    I'm not letting go of the RTi12's so they will sit next to them for now. I may run them in an adjacent room in the future. I like to have options. Oh, and I do love bluegrass. Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Bill Monroe......the list goes on.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited September 2011
    breal74 wrote: »
    I am still curious about Emotiva and plan on trying one out in the future. With the 30 day return policy and all, I don't see a downside to it. If I like it better than the Parasound I will keep the Emotiva and sell the Parasound.

    That's a good mentality. There is no amount of research you can do that is a substitute for actually getting your ears on the piece in question, and even then, it's much better to be in your own space combined with your own other components... plus, experimenting with gear is fun!:biggrin:

    For me, the world of audio offers me (2) distinctly different hobbies, both of which I love:

    1) the music
    2) the gear

    I truly do love both, but I have to keep myself in check so I don't pay too much attention to #1 and lose sight of the more imprtant #2.:smile:
    I heard some Monitor Audio GX100 the other day that blew me away

    Have you heard the new Polk LsiM series???

    I recently heard the LsiM-703's (the bookshelves) at a dealer who also carried Monitor Audio, and I was blown away by the Polks.

    The Monitor Audio Platinums (PL-100) were the best out of all the bookshelves we tried, but they should've been, given that they're $4k a pair.:eek:

    I felt that the Monitor Golds (the GX-100's that you mentioned) and the Polk Audio LsiM-703's both offered a MUCH bigger bang for your buck.

    As far as the Monitor Golds vs. the 703's, I think it would come down to personal preference, but I preferred the Polks... and they're a little less expensive... 1500 vs 2000 if I'm remembering correctly.

    The dealer had just gotten the Polks in that day, and he couldn't stop talking about how much of a good value he thought they were.

    Being ran by a full Bryston setup didn't hurt either, but all the speakers had that advantage.


    Try to get your ears on a pair of the new LsiM's. They are a significant departure from anything Polk has ever done... in a very good way. :cool:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • angelsfann02
    angelsfann02 Posts: 589
    edited September 2011
    The Emotiva Xpa-1's are supposidly beasts! I have never heard them in person, but my cousin in Florida owns a pair and swears they are the best thing ever. I have done alot of reading up on them, and I guarantee you that I will eventually own a pair. It will most likely be for my 2-channel system, but I will need to upgrade my rt55's for sure!
    LIVING ROOM:
    Pioneer PDP-6070HD, Pioneer Elite SC-25, Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD,
    Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva USP-1, Polk LSI15's, Polk LSiC, Velodyne 12", Mirage Nanosat Prestige rears, MIT AVT Speaker Cables, Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects, Panamax M5300pm Surge Protection/ Power Conditioning
    BEDROOM: VIZIO 32" LCD, Pioneer Elite VSX-23txh, Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD, Parasound HCA-2205A, Mirage Nanosat Prestige Speakers 5.1, Mirage S8 Sub, Monoprice cables, APC Surge Protection.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited September 2011
    angelsfann02 wrote: »
    Emotiva Xpa-1's are supposidly beasts! I have never heard them in person, but my cousin in Florida owns a pair and swears they are the best thing ever....

    Just out of pure curiosity:

    - what other monoblocks has your cousin compared them to?
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited September 2011
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    For me, the world of audio offers me (2) distinctly different hobbies, both of which I love:

    1) the music
    2) the gear

    I truly do love both, but I have to keep myself in check so I don't pay too much attention to #1 and lose sight of the more important #2.:smile:

    OOPS! I wrote that wrong. I meant that I have to keep myself in check so I don't pay too much attention to #2 and lose sight of the more important #1.

    Big difference. haha.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    edited September 2011
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    OOPS! I wrote that wrong. I meant that I have to keep myself in check so I don't pay too much attention to #2 and lose sight of the more important #1.

    Big difference. haha.

    I know what you're sayin'! Feel the same way. I definately want to check out the LsiM-703's but I need to stay away from anyone or store sell audio equipement until after the up coming holidays or my stereo fund gets back to a respectable amount.
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  • DMara
    DMara Posts: 1,434
    edited September 2011
    For me, the Emotiva amps were too bright, to the point of metal shrieking, once I turned the volume close to the reference level. That was why I got rid of both XPA-5 XPA-2 to go with other alternatives, as of now and will be for quite a while since I'm extremely happy with them: Parasound Halo A51 & W4S ST-1000, which have completely got rid of that problem thanks to their warm tones. Also, powering the whole Polk LSi set with my Parasound amp, the one particular speaker that clearly shone more than with the Emo was the center-channel LSiC, outputting voices with much more clarity & density.
    If you watch movies or listen to music at lower volumes, you might be able to hide that Emo limit. Unfortunately for me, that isn't the option I can accept.
    Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
    Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
    Living room:
    LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
    Bedroom:
    Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
    Other rooms:
    Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
    audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
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