What Parasound amp to match with HCA-2205A (1 Viewer)

[Paul Gere]

I currently have a Parasound 2205A (220w x 5) amp and like it very much with my all-Paradigm Studio Ref. speakers. I am planning to go from 5.1 to 7.1 and can't decide what amp to add for the extra 2 ch.

Option 1:
Add an HCA-1500A (205w x2, THX) and use for surrounds. [About $500 used.]

Option 2:
Add an HCA-2200mkII (250w x2) for main L/R channels. [About $750 used.]

If it helps, my main speakers are Paradigm Reference Studio 100's (v.2). My new (7.1) surrounds will either be Paradigm Reference Studio 20's or 40's.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/feedback.

-Paul

 

[Kevin Deacon]

Hey Paul, I own the HCA-2200II and the HCA-2003(3x220) amps. I have the HCA-2200II hooked to the front mains and am very impressed with its performance. You probably won't need that much power for the extra 2 channels but it sure is nice knowing you have tons of headroom (insert Tim Allen grunts here). I think either amp will be fine, but if it were me I would go for the 2200II. The 2200II is built like a tank and size-wise matches the 2205. Have fun!

 

[Paul Gere]

Thanks, Kevin!

I was leaning to the 2200 mkII, but after reviewing the specs for the 1500A and comparing to the 2205A, they're nearly a dead-on match. Yeah, the 2200 mkII is a bit more power than either the 2205A or the 1500A, but used pricing on the 2200 mkII is also +$300 or more vs. the 1500A. Not sure it's worth the extra coin when I've got another pair of rears to buy.

...Sounds like I'm making up my mind, don't it? :b