trading up to a better power amp??

pras1011 · 11-09-2005, 5:13 PM

I have a Parasound 855a power amp.
My question is:-
Is it worth getting a 1205a or the 2205a?
i hear that these three sound the same as each other.

Can anyone help?

Steve.EX · 11-09-2005, 9:55 PM

Depends on what speakers you are driving?
Tonally i doubt there will be much difference but improvements in perceived "space, timing and soundstaging" maybe on offer due to more HP being on offer to your speakers,

pras1011 · 12-09-2005, 5:12 PM

i am driving 5 m&k speakers.

recruit · 12-09-2005, 8:25 PM

pras - what M&K speakers are you running ? also more power is always better than less so the 2205 is definitly a better amp and i know there are a quite a few members here running that particular amp.

**alexs2** · 12-09-2005, 8:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recruit

pras - what M&K speakers are you running ? also more power is always better than less so the 2205 is definitly a better amp and i know there are a quite a few members here running that particular amp.

There's no doubt that the Parasounds are pretty much all decent amps,with a very good heritage,but it's not always true that more power is better than less,as that is very dependent on the quality of the amps(sound quality,not just build quality),and a look at many Japanese and US(esp studio based) creations of the 80s and beyond would prove.....bags of power,but awful sound.

I'm not saying that it applies to the Parasounds,but it isn't true for all amps that more power equates to better.

recruit · 12-09-2005, 8:38 PM

Quite right Alex2 but we are talking about Parasound amps and not all amps in general..

**alexs2** · 12-09-2005, 8:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recruit

Quite right Alex2 but we are talking about Parasound amps and not all amps in general..

Which I think was what I said in my reply.

recruit · 12-09-2005, 8:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexs2

Which I think was what I said in my reply.

no problem

Thunder · 13-09-2005, 7:59 AM

I have a 2205 driving my centre and surrrounds and its an outstanding piece of kit

Yeah it dosn't have the subtelty of my Tag monoblocs but then it retails at about 2k for five channels and the Tag monos used to be 2k each!

I must say it has bags of current and its sound is detailed but with a sledge hammer like force

Can't recommend it enough

pras1011 · 13-09-2005, 8:21 PM

well at the moment i am running 5 x lcr 55. i have a parasound 855a but i feel that the sound quailty would be the same as the 2205a. i personally think it wont be worth upgrading to it.

any ideas on that?

rags · 13-09-2005, 8:32 PM

With those speakers I would agree with you - the 855 probably drives them well enough. You dont need a 2205.

recruit · 14-09-2005, 6:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pras1011

well at the moment i am running 5 x lcr 55. i have a parasound 855a but i feel that the sound quailty would be the same as the 2205a. i personally think it wont be worth upgrading to it.

any ideas on that?

With them speakers the 855a is probably enough if you were thinking of upgradeing to bigger speakers then it might be worth considering an upgrade but i would stick with you have got for now.

cameronl · 21-09-2005, 12:26 PM

My halo A52 poweramp is way to powerful for my Quad 21L's. I think even parasounds lower powered amp are very powerful.

CaM

pras1011 · 23-09-2005, 1:03 PM

even though the parasound is 85 watts per channel, its way better than the mavssive all in one 170 watts per channell ones. its diffently better than my old power the rotel 985 (100w per channel)