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I was tempted to buy a Parasound HCA 1000a from ABCstereo.com earlier today until I called another company whose operator said abcstereo had a bad reputation for not actually sending the product. She said to refer to audio discussion forums if I wanted proof.
That having been said, is this amp preferable to a Marantz MA500? They are around the same price. Parasound claims the HCA is a dual monoblock design, but will I get the same effect? Thanks in advance.
HI Art . I have a Parasound HCA-1000 and it is a very good amplifier at its price . I'm considering to buy the revised model HCA-1000A , which is a bit better in the bass section to the original and has other options for connections too. You can see the review by Stereophile of both Parasounds .It is classified as a C+ - B- contender . At $595.00 is a bargain . The Marantz is said to be a good product too , it depends of your actual set-up and what are you looking . One advantage is that is mono and you can use less speaker cable and go with a high-end 1' or 2' .
Home Theater Magazine ( Curtcos ) has a review and Stereophile to GHT .In relation to ABCstereo , I don't know , never deal with them but never ask the competition . Better go to Parasound and Marantz web and search for dealers on your area and reviews . Audioreview.com is another web with reviews from actual owners of the products you look for. They are not profesional reviewers but they bring some hints over their products.
Good luck .
Jose, thanks for the input. I have a couple more questions.
Is your model a dual mono?
What do you use it for primarily; music or movies? Thanks.
Also, check with Parasound about the place you are going to buy your amp. I read on their site that they may not honor the warranty if you buy it from some places on the net. I just bought their 5 channel amp and love it. I highly recommend my dealer if you can't find one. Send me an e-mail (jmhays@ameritech.net) and I'll give you the details. I hope this is legal on this site, I don't want to get in trouble.
I suppose it is a dual mono because it can be bridge to play in mono . You know , searching in my magazine pages from old reviews , I found a review of Video Magazine June-95 , Daniel Kumin ( I considered this man one of the most reliable out there ) who compared various stereo amp and he rate the Parasound first among its competitors at that time . He was right . A few years later Stereophile give it a great review ( for its price ).The way I used it is a little complicated . I feed a signal from a Denon AVR-3200 DD Receiver to amplify the high and mids of my speakers ( bi-wire ) and the Denon amplify the bass section ( bi-wire too ). Thats why am going to buy the HCA-1000A . This one will take the bass and the old one stay the same . The 1000A can transfer the incoming signal to the 1000 from a loop it has ( the old model don't have it , among other things , but has the same price - magic!!! ).The Denon , for now , is my main digital processor and pre-amp .
The sound of the system , although modest , is detailed , has a good soundstage , voices sound natural with good precense ( I love Stevie Nicks , Sade , Seal , Eagles and others ), accoustic and electric guitars are well reproduced ( Eagles , Clapton , Chaquico , Benson ) sax notes sound deep and brassy ( Barbieri , Freeman , Redman , Fourplay , Washington ). I'm puertorrican so I love latin music , from salsa to jazz to merengue to tipical music . This music is strong ,has a rapid pace , has rhythm and use brass and leather instruments ( percussion ). It sounds great too and very natural ( Marc Anthony , Juan Luis Guerra 440 , Fania , Tito Puente and much more ). What can I tell ....
As long as video concerns , My childrens ( 4,6,10 ) love to see their movies on DVD with the equipment on . Is not the same with the 36" TV set alone . My guest stay home until action movies finish . Is not the best cinema in town but am proud of it . This is the best satisfaction you can have after investing ( you expend in something you finish without noticing and invest in something that give you invaluable moments of joy ) a sume of money in a system . From $1,000 to Fabios System ( $1/2 000,000.00 ).
If you can , and your dealer permits , try it at home or let him set you an audition with a similar set-up as yours in-store . This way you can compared and make a decition . Is the best I can tell you .
Hope this help and good luck . Best regards Jose Garcia.
Recently Audio Advisor has added Parasound's new MONOBLOC amps, i.e, HCA-1201 limited edition 150 watts...circa $500 for the pair. It appears to be another well made amp fro Parasound...well spec'd and well engineered.
Personally I have a 1206-THX amp and three 2200 series II amps. They have performed quite well over the many years of use and abuse. The Loop through and Bridging capabilty of the 1206 has proven to be a godsend. As well as the individual channel gain controls (don't know if this a THX required function) which likewise has proven to a godsend in system set-up.
Good luck in your quest.
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