Parasound HCA855 w/ Paradigm Studio 100's (1 Viewer)

[Ken Custodio]

I am very close to buying a pair of Studio 100's. Currently I am using a Parasound 855 (85wpcx5) to drive my mains and center (Paradigm Monitor 9/cc370). Would I be better off using my receiver (Denon 4802 120wpc) to drive the studio's or would the Parasound Amp be better?

 

[Mark Fitzsimmons]

Go with the Parasound.

If you are using the 5 channel Parasound to drive the mains and center, why not biamp the mains and use the remaing channel on the center?

 

[Ken Custodio]

If you are using the 5 channel Parasound to drive the mains and center, why not biamp the mains and use the remaing channel on the center?

I am doing that, although I don't think it makes a difference. After I bi-amped the fronts and used the 5th channel to power the center I recalibrated my speaker levels using AVIA. I didn't have to change the volume levels, so I think it didn't double the watts. If I really doubled the watts you would think I would have to lower the speaker volumes controls by 3dB but I didn't.

 

[BobRoulier]

Ken, I would suggest the parasound for now even though it is less wattage per channel you will get more bass extension and detail. Eventually you would benefit with a more powerful amp for your mains I use a 2205 and may upgrade to 300-350 two channel amp in the future not that the 2205 doesn't sound great cause it does but more power would be awesome
Good luck Bob

 

[Steve Morgan]

Ken,the other post is right the 100's like power! I drove my 100's/CC450/ADP450's with a Parasound 2205 which really opened the system up.Before I drove them with a Yamaha DSP-A1 and a RX-V1 which sounded nice but with the Parasound it sounded like a new system.BTW I have a 2205a for sale.If interested give me a e-mail

Cheers,
Steve

 

[BobRoulier]

Steve Morgan, Just curious why are selling your 2205? are you upgrading your gear? whats the scoop?


Bob

 

[Steven Simon]

Ken,

The HCA 1500 (205 x 2) matches the 100's like a charm!!!!

 

[Steve Morgan]

Bob, I am going to try the Cinenova Grande. Like you said more power!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Trevor Schell]

I am using the Parasound HCA-3500 350w x2 with the Studio 100's and couldn't be happier.
The high current (120 amperes per channel) of the 3500 most likely is the reason for improvement in sound quality over my Denon.

 

[Ken Custodio]

Trevor,
That is some nice gear you got there on your HT Site...a lot of gear too. You have alot of the type of equipment I would want to get if I wasn't so poor
Ken

 

[BobRoulier]

Trevor,

I would love to add the Parasound 350x2 to my 2205 for my 100s but I see that parasound does not offer it anymore! What was retail on it? Also what interconnects are you useing and speaker wire for the 100s




Thanks Bob

 

[JoelM]

Ken, Ken, Ken, back again trying to convince yourself the the Parasound855 isn't what you intended. I see you bi-amped your mains, but do not assume that because your calibrated levels did not change that there is no difference. It's all in the volume...The louder the more noticeable. After weeks of listening to my Denon2802 I finally hooked that baby up and it sings like a charm. Now I have a Para2003 on the front/center(200x3)and the 855 for surrounds. I must say that I am a very happy customer.

 

[Ken Custodio]

Ken, Ken, Ken, back again trying to convince yourself the the Parasound855 isn't what you intended. I see you bi-amped your mains, but do not assume that because your calibrated levels did not change that there is no difference. It's all in the volume...The louder the more noticeable. After weeks of listening to my Denon2802 I finally hooked that baby up and it sings like a charm. Now I have a Para2003 on the front/center(200x3)and the 855 for surrounds. I must say that I am a very happy customer.

Actually I just don't think the Parasound 855 is powerful enough to handle Paradigm Studio 100's. I will still keep the 855 to power the surrounds and surround back speakers, but would like to get something in the 200-300wpc for the fronts/center

Also, I think the Denon 4802 has a VERY good amplification section and it appears to be well designed isolating the processing components from the amp section. Since the 4802 amp section is a good, I suppose that is why I didn't hear that much of an improvement going to the parasound HCA855 amp.

To see if I there is a difference, I have been using the amp for a week then switching to using the receiver for a week to compare. The Parasound amp is bit warmer and sounds better. But not as great an improvement as a lot of people have been raving on this forum.

 

[Ken Custodio]

Joel,

Where did you get the Parasound 2003, I was looking to get one of those amps, but have been having a tough time finding one. There was only one on Audiogon