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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
borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

Review is coming soon, sorry I've been on a buying streak. Tomorrow in fact I have a Schiit Lyr headphone amp and Lokius EQ to play with.

Thanks.

jusfre
8 posts
 

I just compared these two amps last week (A-300 Emotiva vs A 51 Parasound (my HT amp))with my paradigm studio 100’s. I played Agnus Obel - Familiar, you really here the difference when she sings the high notes. The A-300 butchered her singing with distortion. My wife couldn’t stand it, and told me to turn it down. When I played it with the Parasound at same volume my wife’s eyes lit up. It sounded so much more clear. That said I could hear no difference in the low and mid range, but I did not play many more songs.

I did not hear the roll-off at high end that people are talking about with Parasound, but then this is the most expensive amp I own.  Maybe I’ll here it on my next upgrade.

I’ll be delegating the A-300 amp to my outdoor speakers or selling it.

hifi59's avatar
hifi59
51 posts
 

I have an A23+ and it just does everything right. It sounds correct to my ear in my calibrated audio system. It beat the living hell out of a $3000 Class D Gan amp. The Parasound A23+ had more impact, better mids, tighter bass and a sweeter top end ( the gan amp does has a smooth and grainless top end, but lacks bite). The A23+ will get you more emotionally connected with the music, ime.

borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

Well, I bought headphone gear and that had me occupied for a minute. 

 

I just ordered CSS 1TDX with the high end crossover. Once I build em I'll put the Emo towers to bed and give both amps a fair shake and  proper review. But my entire system 2 desktop system will be in balance, the T zeros were the cheapest thing in it. Love them but the 1tDX will guaranteed blow them away.

borat-sagdiyev OP
34 posts
 

Hifi59, you are clearly talking about the Peachtree amps? If so that's very impressive for the A23+.

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