Parasound AVC1800 compared to Denon's 5803 (1 Viewer)

[Patrick vdb]

In Holland the Parasound is not that much known so I will have to ask it to you guys
How does the Parasound AVC1800 decoding ability perform when compared to the newer Denon 5803 (in Holland the AVC-A1SR, same amp but without the tuner)? I know that the Parasound is not able to decode the newer soundformats which the Denon can but that is not my mainconcern. I just want to know how the Parasound performs in quality.
Thanks
Patrick

 

[Dalton]

Hello Patrick,
I think the Denon would be the better choice. The Parasound AVC1800 has been around a while and i have read several complaints about various problems. You can check out some of the reviews of the Parasound unit at http://www.audioreview.com/A-V,Pream...7_2719crx.aspx

 

[rodneyH]

patrick, the Parasound can be awkward to use at times, until you get use to it. the designated source swithes don't remember what input was assigned to it, and a couple little things like that, that get annoying to some people. Personally, I like the 1800 (even more than my dads Rotel 976, that has plenty of wierd set up problems itself). It sounds great and I don't care about going 6.1 AT ALL (2 channel and a great sounding 5.1 is much more important to me, even if I upgrade to the Rotel 1066, I won't use the 6.1)

 

[Patrick vdb]

I also read about the problems this Parasound had but are still willing to give it a try out (at the dealer). My main concern was indeed the performance of this rather elder pre/pro against a new topnotch receiver of Denon. The Parasound uses DAC's which are rather old compared to the one's being used now and the same goes for the processor. Does this has a negative influence in the overall sound when compared to newer products?

best regards

Patrick

 

[rodneyH]

They use 24 bit converters and sound very good to my ears. I think that parasounds goal was a good sounding pre/pro for a decent price, rather than all the latest electronic gadgets. teh unit is a very simple piece without "DSPs", etc... I haven't compared it to a Denon, but I am not a "reciever guy" so I have no need to. I am under the belief that the more electronics in a box, the more room for unwanted noise.

Just my opinion

 

[Patrick vdb]

DSP's and other gadgets is also not what I'm looking for. I just need a good sounding and performing pre/pro for a conventional 5.1 set-up which can decode DD and DTS. As for the newer products they almost all have DD-EX DTS-ES and tons of DSP's or other stuff inwhich I'm not interested but have to pay for when I consider buying a topnotch reciever.

What about the locking problems, low noise level which are reported much at audioreview.com Are these common problems with this Parasound or are it just indivdual problems?

I think I have to audit the AVC1800 a time. A dealer in Holland is selling it together with the HCA885 amp which I surely don't like (prefer the 1205 or 2205).

Best regards,

Patrick