2 channel Amplifier choice

Dave38
Dave38 Posts: 101
edited October 2007 in Electronics
I'm deciding between a Bryston and a Parasound Amplifier to drive the LSi-15's. I'm currently driving them with a Adcom GFA-II and don't quite like the sound. Looking for more punchier Bass. What are your opinions on these 2 amps? Thanks.

P.S. I am using a Sony TA-E9000ES for a pre-pro. Wondering if that's not my problem. I also notice I have to turn the volume up quite a bit for decent sound. Almost like not enough input signal to the amp. No gain control on the Adcom either.
Post edited by Dave38 on
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited October 2007
    Loved my old P-Sound...can't really go wrong there.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited October 2007
    Both are solid amps - but based on reputation alone I would have to go with Bryston. (have not heard either)

    With that being said - I would say test out a new pre before you spend your money on a new amp. Not that the amp won't help, but I don't know if I would say it is your weakest link...
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2007
    It's tough to beat the Bryston warranty.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,396
    edited October 2007
    Of the 3 the Adcom should have the punchiest bass. My number 1 rec. to anyone swapping gear to get better results; always keep what you have until you are sure the change is what you wanted.

    I'm not a big P-sound fan (personally) I say try the Bryston, but the bass control and punch on the Adcom is going to be hard to better.


    H9

    P.s. McLoki makes a great point.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited October 2007
    Never had a single issue with "lack of punchy bass" with the HCA 1200 II, through several different brands of speakers. No sub used either.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2007
    Which Bryston model?Brystons except for maybe the little 2B LP are highly acclaimed for their solid bass reproduction.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited October 2007
    Zero wrote: »
    Bryston is an excellent match with the Lsi series. Go for it.

    I tend to agree. Parasounds are very nice (I especially like their Halo series) but given the fact that the LSi series is known to be a bit laid back and the Brystons are known to be a bit analytical...I think this would be an excellent marriage...producing something in the middle. Plus a 20 year lifetime transferable warranty is a nice thing to have.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • Dave38
    Dave38 Posts: 101
    edited October 2007
    GV#27 wrote: »
    Which Bryston model?

    The 4B SST.
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  • Dave38
    Dave38 Posts: 101
    edited October 2007
    McLoki wrote: »
    I would say test out a new pre before you spend your money on a new amp. Not that the amp won't help, but I don't know if I would say it is your weakest link...

    I'm looking at replacing the Sony TA-E9000ES early next year. I'll try that swap first before looking for another amp. If I'm still not satisfied, I will have to make a decision on a different amp.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    I just picked up a Parasound HCA 1500 and I was shocked at how well it drove my Von Schweikerts - especially the bass. I think I will pick up another Parasound for the Ht when I am ready.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited October 2007
    I am a big Para Fan..!!

    I have the HCA-3500 for two channel.....
    I have the 2205a for HT....great bass...drives the LSi`s with no problem
    I have a HCA-1000 in the Garage unit !

    THe 1000 is a great little unit, but compared to the bigger brothers in the other rigs....well....I still have great bass response...

    I do not have any experience with the other amps, but I understand the Bryston is a solid amp..

    Nothing against Adcom though...I understand they are real work horses....just not sure about the sound


    It all starts with the source, of course...and the amp is well, the workhorse !!







    Okay, I vote for the Parasound, just because thats all I know !!!!
    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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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2007
    Dave38 wrote: »
    The 4B SST.
    That is a great amp with state of the art bass and with SST series the overall sound is more refined and neutral than the previous ST and NRB series.You can't go wrong with one of those.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Spacedeckman
    Spacedeckman Posts: 96
    edited October 2007
    GV#27 wrote: »
    That is a great amp with state of the art bass and with SST series the overall sound is more refined and neutral than the previous ST and NRB series.You can't go wrong with one of those.

    I haven't heard a newer Adcom, so I can't comment there. I've got a HCA750 plugging a hole now, but have had the big Halo two channel, a 3BSST and a pair of 7BSST monos in my current system. The Halo was a bit laid back, smooth, and very likable, a great amp by any measure. The Brystons are "punchier", tighter and better defined on the bottom end, but as stated, more analytical. What you play is what you get. The goal is to replace the 750 with a 4BSST, although the budget may hold it back to a 3BSST

    Mark
    System:

    VPI Scout/Benz Ace
    Sutherland PH2000
    Arcam CD72
    Yamaha DVD-CX1 (primarily for CD..26 lbs, all BB D/A)
    Audioprism Mantissa w/Reference PS
    Parasound HCA750 (temporary)
    Audiovector M1 Signatures
    Kimber 4TC x 2
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  • polkseller
    polkseller Posts: 184
    edited October 2007
    buy the adcomm 565 preamp

    slam
    big bass nice sound
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  • avguytx
    avguytx Posts: 1,628
    edited October 2007
    I guess being the "Carver" fan of the group, I'd have to put my vote in for one of those. I use the M-1.0t pretty exclusively on my SDA's but these other guys may know better for an amp to driver the LSi's. I have no experience with those speakers. I own 2 (soon to be 3) M-1.0t's and 2 M-1.5t's. They may end up doing HT duty one of these days when I get a new Pre Pro. Something about 200 X 7 or 350 X 7 just sounds good!
    Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited October 2007
    avguytx wrote:
    I guess being the "Carver" fan of the group, I'd have to put my vote in for one of those.

    The question is:

    "Between these TWO amps, which is better for my Lsi15's...Bryston or Parasound?"

    And the answer is:

    "Carver"

    :confused:
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited October 2007
    That's a Club Polk answer Shack, what's so suprising? The cost effective answer was clearly Parasound.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2007
    Get a new preamp. Getting rid of the sony and getting a good preamp will solve your problem
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited October 2007
    dorokusai wrote:
    That's a Club Polk answer Shack, what's so suprising?

    I know.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2007
    :DLOL! God love us Polkies. Give us a question with 2 options & we will come up with options 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 just to make things more complicated!:eek::D
    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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