|   Parasound VS. Rotel amplifiers | profrancis
Aug 21, 2002 9:55 PM | | With the same wattage and amplification which is better. I have 2 parasound HCA1000A as monoblocks running at 400wpc and thinking of upgrading to one bryston 4bST @250wpc is it worth the upgrade? My friend has a 2 rotel monoblocks about the same wattage as mine with NHT 2.5i it's pretty good and I was impressed with his set up. I want my set up to be better than his. Although parasound and rotel sound quite good, but I am a little skeptical about those amps because they are manufactured in China or Taiwan,whereas Bryston is made in CANADA. help needed info
using Nakamichi AV10 receiver as preamp and paradigm studio 100 |
| re: Parasound VS. Rotel amplifiers | Ph D
Aug 21, 2002 11:52 PM | | Your parasound is good enough... i don't think you will hear a BIG difference if u upgrade...
I would save up money and get a better speakers... (studio 100 is good though) |
| Agreed... Parasound VS. Rotel amplifiers | Jerohm
Aug 22, 2002 1:59 AM | | once you get to the Parasound/Rotel level of equipment, you are pretty much at the point of diminishing returns... that is certainly NOT to say that many more dollars CAN'T be spent, if you so desire, but the performance/dollar ratio quickly approaches ZERO. The DACs (assuming you are digital) you choose will make the most perceptible gain, assuming you are generally satisfied with your speaker choice (at the given power you are using). |
| Some questions to ask yourself | Soundman
Aug 22, 2002 10:33 AM | | Is going from 400 watt monoblocks to a 250 watt stereo amp really an upgrade? Why must your system sound "better than his?" The implication is that at present, his system sounds better that yours? Since you want your system to sound "better" than his, what parts of the sound of his system do you want to be better in yours? Is it the Dynamics, Low frequency, midrange, Highs, soundstage,or imaging? What other source equipment is your friend using compared to yours? It's what is being played through the speakers that produces the sound (CD, DVD-audio, movie soundtracks, vinyl, even good old FM stereo). What are you missing with your Studio 100's that needs to sound better than the NHT 2.5's? The Studio 100's speakers come highly recommeded on this board. They are capable of producing a great level of sound. Parasound and Rotel make great amps as do Bryston. I have not heard of reliability problems from any of those brands. I think you should identify what you need to do to exceed the sound of your friends system "in your ears." I wonder why your 400 watt per channel amp is not enough for you. It appears to me that you have two different speakers systems in two different environments. I don't know if your problem rests with changing your amplification. Just my 2 cents and hope it helps you to identify what the problem really is you are having with the sound of your system. |
| Some questions to ask yourself | Chuck G
Aug 26, 2002 4:15 AM | | Maybe his friend just has a better ROOM setup. If thats the case, you can change speakers/amps until you are blue in the face and still not sound as good if you have room issues. |
| re: Parasound VS. Rotel amplifiers | A
Aug 23, 2002 9:15 AM | | When comparing with your friend's system, there are two things that make the most difference. First, the speakers are different, so if you like the sound of his better than yours, you might want to think about buying new speakers. Second, your friend's system is in a different room, right? Different rooms have different acoustics, so you will never get the same sound in your room that he gets in his, even if you had exactly the same equipment set up exactly the same way. Unless, of course, your room is exactly the same dimensions, and constructed exactly the same way.
Judging quality by country of origin is a big mistake. Some things made in China are very good, and some things made there are junk. The same is true of the U.S. and probably just about every other country that has very much manufacturing done. It isn't where something is made that determines its quality, it is how it is made. |
| re: Parasound VS. Rotel amplifiers | kram
Aug 25, 2002 8:32 AM | | If I was in your shoes, with your stuff, and wanted to kick my friend's system's ass... I'd get a nice dedicated two-channel preamp.
I've AB'd my own system over and over again - trying to convince myself that my Anthem preamp is a waste of money, but I can't do it. A dedicated 2-channel preamp will improve your sound IMHO (as opposed to using a receiver as preamp). I don't care what receiver it is (except maybe the megabuck B&Ks) - it won't sound as good as a dedicated preamp.
Then your friend will be writing in for advice on how to best YOUR system.
I agree that upgrading to a Bryston won't do the job - but from the reviews, you might consider an Odyssey Stratos. Never mind the specs, that amp is a "neighbor's system ass kicker".
A 250 watt amp won't play even 3db louder than a 150wpc. A 400 watt amp won't play much beyond 4db louder than a 150 watt amp (doing this math in my head, I might be wrong but not by much). Are you really pushing the rails that far - doubtful, so don't worry about that statistic.
Good luck. |
| Living with the Jonses! | Abex
Aug 25, 2002 4:49 PM | | If you want a system that is quality to your ears then get an amp that is highly BIAS'd to Class A operation or get a MOSFET Amp that runs Full Class A!There are a few on the used market like Monarch or Forte!If you do not blast everyday ,but are into sweet sound then that's the way to go!
Most affordable Amps have a Glare or Mist over the info coming from the speaker's that's a real turnoff to myself.After you hear a system that does not have it you'll never go back!
Another consideration is weather the speaker's your going to drive have good synergy with your amp of choice!
Good Luck! |
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