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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
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

I have had extensive experience with both Emotiva and Parasound amps.  Owned all generations of Emotiva, including the latest (XPA-1, XPA-1L, XPR-1, XPA Gen 3, A3).  I also owned three Parasond JC1 and an A21.

I don't think that the Parasound A23+ is going to solve your bass problems.  These amps are really not bass monsters.  The Emotiva XPA-1 had much stronger bass in actuality. 

The Parasound will give you extremely clean midrange.  I don't know about the latest "+" models, but first generation A21 had rolled off high frequencies.  Same with the JC1, but it also had a weird dry sound in the upper mids/highs.

In the end, I actually prefer the Emotiva sound because it has better extension into the high frequencies and better bass, but if you listen closely you can hear some of the flaws.  All my current Emotiva amps are completely rebuilt, upgraded and modified to fix the flaws.  These are mostly due to cheap capacitors.

Upgrading the fuse in your Emotiva amp will really help with the sound.  Also, an upgraded power cord.

borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

One thing to remember is I’m nearfield in this system, i sit 2 feet away from towers and subs are behind me to the right and left. I am in the sweet spot for the amp, not driving terribly hard. If I were in a big room, might not be "magic".

I take that back, its a medium sized room, but I am near field, far away from walls.

borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

Interesting AuxInput. Yes I feel like pulling hairs out trying to tell people the amps do sound good. If it sounded like crap would have been gone months ago. I have experience with a lot of amps, maybe not as many as you, but I know good sound.

Well! If the A23+ doesn't do it I will sell it and get a JC5 in a few months or maybe something else along those lines. Monoprice has a $4000 balanced only stereo amp that looks pretty impressive. Or Kinki Studios. 

2 more days!

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

If the A23+ doesn't give you the type of sound you want, I'm not sure that the JC5 will. 

I'm not sure what Monoprice amp you are talking about.  The only 2-channel amp they have is $1099.  It's essentially an "Emotiva level" version of the ATI 4002 amp.

Actually, if you want a better amp with the Emotiva type of sound, I would look at the ATI AT4002 ($2799) or AT6002 ($3795). 

Kinki Studios has been said to be a very good solution as well.

borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

Maybe, or maybe just get a pair of bespoke NC1200s built with a warrantee!

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