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!
Hey ja_kub_sz, question!
I really really love this X26 Pro dac and was thinking of adding the Gustard A18 reclocker, the $1800 model. The X26 Pro is the first device I've owned with. Reclocking port and the first device I've ever heard make a really significant jump when utilized with balanced vs RCA.
Do you think it would be worth it? |
Well I think my review will be fairly in depth and will really be of use to those looking at either brand and kind of what does your money get you. Everything I said about the Emotiva A300 is true. There are also aspects of it that the Parasound has exposed. But anyone on a tight budget, the Emo is a real audiophile amplifier, full stop, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And.. the Parasound is on another level. In a few areas they are close and in some other areas definitely not. Very very nice amp! Give me another 5 days to let it settle in and I will write a full comparison. But in short, yes, the Emo is powered down and will stay that way until I need a surround amp. |
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… |
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. |
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.
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