Parasound or NAD (1 Viewer)

[MarkyM]

Hello

I have a chance to purchase either a Parasound 855A (85 watts) or a NAD 925 THX (125 watts)

both are new in Factory sealed boxes...

Will be used to drive Axiom M22Ti (mains) VP150 (center)
and QS8 (surrounds)

If you were me which one would you choose and why??

both are available for approx $600.00

Thanks

 

[Kevin. W]

MarkyM, I replied over at AVS with my recommendation for the NAD. Either one would do the job to power your Axioms, though I think the NAD with it Monoblock design, individual gain controls, higher wattage and headroom would be better. I also have a preference for the NAD since I own a NAD S250 which I think the 925 is very similar too in features.

Kevin

 

[Drew_W]

You can grab that 855A for $400 or less on the used market...

 

[MarkyM]

OK THANKS

I am leaning towards the NAD also, have heard complaints
about build quality and customer service...but it appears
that NAD receivers are having problems ... not the Amps

 

[StephenHa]

truthfully neither one is a bad choice, I think it really comes down to brand preference

 

[Kevin. W]

Checkout Sat Audio for a NAD S250 for $999. Fantastic deal if you can afford it.

Kevin

 

[Drew_W]

Kevin, what are your thoughts on that NAD coming from a Rotel amp? As you know, the 125x5 Rotel RMB-1075 also has an MSRP of $999USD, so why is the NAD that much pricier?

(For its $2500USD MSRP you can probably find a Bryston 9BSST, but I digress)

 

[Kevin. W]

Drew, both amps as very capable of powering what ever speakers one was to throw at them. I only got the NAD because of the urge to get something new. At the same time I got the amp I changed out my Yamaha RX-V1400 for a Marantz SR5400 now I have a Pioneer 56TXi. So I kinda changed my sound two ways. Though I can say the NAD soundstage is very detailed, and its top end isn't rolled off like Rotels. Now why are NAD's more expensive? Could be that they are built in the US, its a monoblock design with a fully Class A input and driver stage circuits. It has individual gain controls for the channels??? I've had a 1075 in my presence for a day and the NAD build quality is superior.

Kevin

 

[Tim Hoover]

This feature is common to most multichannel amps, Parasound 855 included...

 

[Mark Russ]

Kevin W, I just ordered that amp. I was planning on getting the T163/T973 combo, but went this route instead. I'm very seriously considering getting a second S250 amp to power the main left and right front channels at 200 watts per while using the first amp for the center and surrounds at 125 watts per. Or, for more flexibility, I could have 10 channels at 125 watts per for either a 6.1 or 7.1 set up along with extra channels for room/zone 2 speakers and/or to power passive NHT subs. Or 2 seperate 5.1 set ups with these amps. The option possibilities would be plentiful.

Anyways, my question is, do you also have the S170i pre/pro, and if so, how is it? Now I am debating about whether to get the S170i or the T163, providing I could find the cost is comparable between them. Both are supposedly upgradable for updates.