parasound amp repair

Does anyone know anyone around the Kansas City area that works on parasound amplifiers?
or power amplifiers for that matter.
i think i have an issue with a toggle switch that might need to replaced or by passed.
HCA-3500
i get a bit more noise on one channel and periodically that channel gets a scratchy sound that seems to be alleviated by moving that toggle switch (to switch between balanced vs unbalanced) around.

Comments

  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,330
    edited December 2020
    If you are able to DIY, send Parasound an email. They are really good at getting back to you and putting you in touch with their technical folks. Don't be surprised if Richard Schram, the company president, emails you back.

    Email them anyway. They may be able to tell you where you can get it fixed.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
  • thejck
    thejck Posts: 849
    I have had Richard respond to me in the past. i might do that. thanks.
  • gp4jesus
    gp4jesus Posts: 1,969
    DIYAudio if you trust yourself
    Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga - LCR mids, inside* & out 8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out *soldered LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & “Plugged*” Mids - 981, connected w/MP Premiere ICs Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s *Xschop's handy work
  • adb3da
    adb3da Posts: 506
    I know a shop in St. Louis that is an authorized Parasound service shop, if you ever find yourself traveling over on this side of the state.
  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,374
    If you are to service amp go ahead and replace the output relays. They will probably recommend it but if not do it anyway.
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
  • thejck
    thejck Posts: 849
    If you are to service amp go ahead and replace the output relays. They will probably recommend it but if not do it anyway.

    can you tell me more about this?
  • thejck
    thejck Posts: 849
    i did find a couple of places in KC that can and will work on it. audiomart is 3 months wait and kcstereorepair is 5 months wait
  • thejck
    thejck Posts: 849
    thejck wrote: »
    If you are to service amp go ahead and replace the output relays. They will probably recommend it but if not do it anyway.

    can you tell me more about this? i can plan to have this done when i get it to a shop or is it something that can be diy'd

  • Do you know if Big Sky Audio is still in business for restorations/upgrades? Think he used to be on the DIY forum. Heard he was also authorized for Parasound. A hefty shipping cost to Montana, but heard good things. Pardon the puns.
  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,374
    Diy is up to you, you know your abilities
    The reason is the hca series had an issue with those relays as they age. if I do any service I replace while it's being done so I dont have to open it up again and do it.
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,471
    edited December 2020
    Do you know if Big Sky Audio is still in business for restorations/upgrades? Think he used to be on the DIY forum. Heard he was also authorized for Parasound. A hefty shipping cost to Montana, but heard good things. Pardon the puns.

    Owner of Big Sky retired.
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,471
    DaveHo wrote: »
    Do you know if Big Sky Audio is still in business for restorations/upgrades? Think he used to be on the DIY forum. Heard he was also authorized for Parasound. A hefty shipping cost to Montana, but heard good things. Pardon the puns.

    Owner of Big Sky retired.

    Plus his site said he no longer worked on the 3500 when he was open for business IIRC. Too heavy for him to handle.
  • DaveHo wrote: »
    Do you know if Big Sky Audio is still in business for restorations/upgrades? Think he used to be on the DIY forum. Heard he was also authorized for Parasound. A hefty shipping cost to Montana, but heard good things. Pardon the puns.

    Owner of Big Sky retired.
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    DaveHo wrote: »
    Do you know if Big Sky Audio is still in business for restorations/upgrades? Think he used to be on the DIY forum. Heard he was also authorized for Parasound. A hefty shipping cost to Montana, but heard good things. Pardon the puns.

    Owner of Big Sky retired.

    Plus his site said he no longer worked on the 3500 when he was open for business IIRC. Too heavy for him to handle.

    Thanks guys.