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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
213runnin
914 posts
 

Sorry, I’m going to have to rain on the parade, OP. I want you to know that it’s nothing personal.

The A300. It has internal fans. Fans!

Emotiva plays with the numbers to claim it doubles power at 4 ohms, it hits 300 watts at 1Khz at 1.0% THD. Any amp company that plays with the numbers like this and puts fans inside the chassis instead of having 2 separate heat fins can’t be taken seriously.

They simply made too many compromises. Proof? A class A/B amp that claims 150 x 2 wpc and a max power draw of only 350 watts. Class a/b amps have an efficiency of typically under 70%, so that just doesn’t add up.

Then there is the S8 sub. Passive radiators are not the best choice for music reproduction, you want a sealed sub, or to spend a lot more for ported or radiated.

I’ll stop there, but one could definitely make improvements. That amp is a good place to start.  You may need to upgrade to some musical speakers to get the most out of the Parasound…

borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

You’re not raining on anything, I own the amp, and a Parasound, and I’m telling it like it is.

 

Yes the amp has fans. Have they ever come on? Never.

Again, class AB, 25 lb, big transformer, $399. SHIPPED. Is your more expensive amplifier better? Could be! Does that make the Emo bad. Not even close.

 

REL uses passive radiators, and with that bit of common sense out of the way I won’t even bother telling you why these 8"passive radiated subs are also good ;)

 

(I'm not some noob and I've owned hordes if gear, including all kinds of subs, thank you very much).

 

All for now.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Any amp company that plays with the numbers like this and puts fans inside the chassis instead of having 2 separate heat fins can’t be taken seriously.

Guess what?  All the Classe M300, M400, M600 monoblocks have fans!  Does that mean I should just disregard any of these items.

Also, all the latest gen Krell Solo, Duo, Trio, Chorus, Theater amps also have fans. 

 

213runnin
914 posts
 

I stand by my remarks, buying at the bottom of the marketplace will not give the best results.  I’ve owned many subs and amps and also products by Emotiva and Parasound.  YMMV. 

borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

Not to be a smartass, but you must have a $300,000 system if you are at "the top".

 

Kudos!

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