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Parasound vs Emotiva

I'm currently running an Emotiva A300 into my near field desktop system consisting of an isolation transformer feeding a Gustard X26 Pro dac into a topping Pre 90 preamplifier into the bas X a300 into a pair of Emotiva T zero. The amp is high passed at 80 hz via my pair of Emotiva S8 subwoofers. The source is Playstation 5.

 

The system sounds incredible. Textured, resolute, musical, clear as a bell, tight as a drum, yet warm, it's very very nice I assure you! Dimensional, Soundstage, often times quite holographic.

 

My only gripe is the a300 doesn't command the low end or provide a lot of bass punch like my NC400 Ncores did. (Those amps were also flat out incredible but I dont have anymorr).

 

I have a Parasound A23+ on the way. It is 4 times the price of the Emotiva. Both class AB, both around the same weight, both around the same power rating.

 

I'm a little nervous because I am listening to my system right now and it just sounds so good. I'm expecting a stronger low end with the Parasound, but not sure what else to expect.

 

Guess we will find out in a few days!

borat-sagdiyev
ja_kub_sz's avatar
ja_kub_sz
273 posts
 

@borat-sagdiyev  not bashing them at all, you're 100% correct! For the money, absolutely tons of value.

Honestly, I'm still piecing things together and want different speakers and sub's for my main system, but really need to do more research and try to audition the Alta Alecs, but I also want to check out in person the JBL s3900's. Those are my two current speaker front runners with JL audio e112's.

My system is all over the place but I love it, hence why I'm not getting rid of anything.

Current system, Innuos Zenith3+Phoenix USB, Musetec 005, Technics SU-R1000, Parasound JC1+'s (coming), JBL L100 Classic 75's and dual KEF Kube 12b's, Teac TN-5bb TT with MC Ortofon Black.

borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

Last update before I get the amp. I just went XLR between the dac and preamp and Basically uncorked all of the X26 Pro. Holy ****. I could park it here and die happy. Incredible upgrade, just enabling the whole  circuit. I was listening for months single ended.

 

Love this hobby! 

borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

Thanks man!

 

I’m going to reply to you better when I can post on something other than my phone. This forum is wonky on it. No I was replying to another guy. Some people wanna just bash on Emotiva, and its really a disingenuous band wagon thing. Emotiva is fine gear, but they aim at being very reasonably priced for average people and new people to the hobby. Their upper echelon stuff is high performance no doubt. They wouldn’t still be here othewise. The XPR amps are legendary.

Did all of you drive a Rolls Royce as your first car? My first car was a rusted out Chevy S10. It got me around and expanded my world, and I loved that thing.

Stop being snobs, audiophiles! Nobody thinks thats impressive. New audiophiles on a budget should feel welcome here too otherwise watch the hobby die in a sea of bluetooth speakers.

Post removed 
borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

If your budget is high, no reason to even look at Emotiva. You do get better with more money, nobody disputes that.

 

But for the same money? Good luck with that!

I will add however that over 12 years I have owned a fair share of zemotiva stuff, and every time I’ve gone to sell it (here, in fact!) I’ve always gotten damn near what I paid.

If Emotiva is "junk" that would have never happened.

I liken them to the "Honda" of audio. Nothing wrong with a Honda! The Accord is a nice car!

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