New Toy - Parasound HCA-1500A

[reberly]

Just picked up a Parasound HCA-1500A for my LSi15's and I'm real happy with the results. So far just been listening to some favorite CD's and I swear I am hearing bass and treble notes that were never there before. Tonight I'll give a movie a try and see how that goes.

I also need to hook up the HCA-1200II that I purchased for my LSiC. I have a question about if it's ok to plug both of these amps into the same wall socket. Currently the wall socket has my receiver,sub,plasma,dvd player,DVR and now the one AMP. Plugging the second amp into the same wall socket seems like a bad idea.

[nms]

Are you running a power strip on that socket? With all that stuff, it seems like you'd have to.

Unless you have another outlet on a different circuit breaker in the room, I don't think it makes much difference anyway, although I suppose it's possible to fry the outlet itself...

[reberly]

Yes, same breaker. Yes Power strip. I guess that makes sense if it's the same breaker and I put too much load on one or two outlets its all the same.

Was my matching a HCA-1200II just for center channel going to go well w/ the HCA-1500A?

[nms]

How much power do those amps draw, and how much does the plasma draw? All of those must be pretty high...

Do you have to run both amps at the same time? If not, you may be OK, but yes, all that on one plug seems like a bad idea to me, too ;) but keep in mind I'm just shooting in the dark.

[dorokusai]

Great amplifier.

[cfrizz]

Enjoy your newly discovered cd's!

[reberly]

ROTFLMA. I just found the online manual for my parasound 1200 II and if I only hook up the center channel, even without doing a bridge connection it's 450Watts. That should make sound coming out of my LSiC so life like it will reach out and smack me.

[disneyjoe7]

ROTFLMA. I just found the online manual for my parasound 1200 II and if I only hook up the center channel, even without doing a bridge connection it's 450Watts. That should make sound coming out of my LSiC so life like it will reach out and smack me.



Nice amp now imagine 2 of those amps running bridged :D:D:D:D

[Sherardp]

This Thread Needs Pics.

I couldnt resist, lets see that Parasound in the mix.

[G-2]

Using the Parasound to run my Monitor 10A's and they sound gooooooooooood!!

[Ferres]

You can draw a lot of power fine from a wall socket, it's the powerstrip that needs to be up to snuff.

If your power strip is not enough, you'll notice that the sound gets a little thin and sibilant which can be annoying. A power strip with a 14awg cable and rated for 10 amps should do just fine. :)

[reberly]

Thanks for the tips, everyone.

I think I am off to Goodwill to look for 4-8 hockey pucks to try as spacers between the two parasounds. It could either be a good idea or look really ghetto. Time will tell.

Probably won't do any pics but I should have taken my camera with me yesterday to the McIntosh dealer I visited. Now those setups are something worth taking pictures off. Has anyone noticed the McIntosh setup in the movie, "The Departed" ? I am puzzled how Matt Damon's character can afford that nice townhouse and sweet McIntosh setup on a state troopers salary.

[thejck]

great amp. i have one. i am happy

[cruzer]

This Thread Needs Pics.

I couldnt resist, lets see that Parasound in the mix.

http://www.cikava.com/gallery/albums/Emoticons/This_thread_is_worthless_without_pics.gif

[reberly]

LOL. You all are crazy.

Well I am finding out AZ is not a great place to pick up hockey pucks. After 4 stores and 1.5 hours of driving around only one place had them and they were more like souvenier pucks. I want to a place called Sports Authority and they don't carry a single hockey stick or puck. So much for being an authority. Oddly there is a ice hockey rink, 1 mile from my house. I just assumed every sporting goods store around would sell the equipment.

Can't wait to sell my current house and find a place with a room that will be more tailored for HT. My current room is probably the exact opposite of an ideal room.

[nms]

Go to the hockey rink and see if they throw some away or something. (It's worth a try anyway)

[wout]

I am a general contractor. As far as I know you should add up the watts that you are drawing from your one outlet. Generaly one circuit breaker will handle 15amps. I do not know how to convert the amps available to the watts your equipment draws. What I do know is when we are running our tools on cords that are to small, for instance a 15 amp tool on a 10 amp cord, then we were frying the tool. Based on that I would be careful not to fry your expensive equipment. It may run fine, for a while. You really should contact an electrician or somone familiar with electricity to see if you are going to have problems. If it is your own house you may want to invest in getting the power right.

[steveinaz]

BE SURE to give that HCA-1500 at least 7 inches of ventilation space up top or it will shut down on you. I know, I have one. They run HOT.

[reberly]

Thanks wout and steve.

I think I'll abandon the hockey pucks and try to figure out how to place these so they are not on top of each other and running into the same outlet.

This really proves to myself I need a new house. LOL. Has anyone bought a another house for the sole purpose of having a better HT room? That would be a funny post to hear comments on. Or should I say, has anyone's spouse let them move for this purpose?

[nms]

Has anyone bought a another house for the sole purpose of having a better HT room?

Just move your walls (knock 'em out and put the new ones in different places!) and while the walls are out have an electrician throw in a couple of 100A electrical outlets!

[Ferres]

You'll be fine. I've had 3 HCA1200II's running on one outlet before. Even had an HCA2200II in the mix at one time.

I may not be using the parasounds anymore but I am still using one outlet for most of the HT except for the subs.

I would worry only if you were using a bunch of class A or tube amps and a bigass plasma tv. And don't use a vacuum cleaner when your system is on.

[reberly]

I finally got both parasounds running now 1500A for LF/RF and 1200 II for Center channel. I went completely ghetto and temporarily, I am using 4 wooden square garden stakes on each side between the two amps. I put a fan behind the whole setup and it's cool as a cucumber even after watching a movie.

I am horrible at describing sound, its like when someone asks me what I see in a painting but with all 3 channels running on seperate amps I just can't believe the fullness of the sound while watching movies. I can't think of any reason I'd go to the theater at this point any longer.

Can't wait to move eventually and hook up a full 7.1 system and of course add at least another 2 parasounds.

[Ferres]

It's been years since I've gone to the theater to watch a movie. So-so sound quality, noisy people, crying kids, sticky floors , missing a scene 'coz I took a leak and the occasional smell of vomit. :(

[cfrizz]

Agreed. I will take my HT over any movie theater around. Endless free refreshments (including booze) Pause film for bathroom break, quiet, peaceful, enjoyable inexpensive experience.

[tonyb]

Agreed. I will take my HT over any movie theater around. Endless free refreshments (including booze) Pause film for bathroom break, quiet, peaceful, enjoyable inexpensive experience.


Well in that case,give us some movie times and whats playing
and we'll be right over.:)

[halo]

quiet, peaceful, enjoyable inexpensive experience.
don't know about you but the last thing I want my HT to be is quiet and peaceful - unless its off. ;):)

[cfrizz]

:D It is quiet & peaceful since I don't hear anyones damn cell phone going off, or kids yapping, or rustling of candy wrappers, etc.

All I hear are the wonderful sounds of whatever movie I'm watching!:D

don't know about you but the last thing I want my HT to be is quiet and peaceful - unless its off. ;):)

[steveinaz]

Amen Cathy. Especially the a-hole that likes to put his feet on your chair back. I'm done with cinemas.

[Ferres]

I've been to movie theaters where you can see a bugs silhouette on screen. (:eek:cringe)

Don't forget the overpriced junk food, parking, hours in traffic to get to the theater just to stand in line. Instead of being a relaxing day, you come home exhausted, even worse if the movie turns out to be crap. :rolleyes:

[cfrizz]

:eek::eek::eek: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! :eek::eek::eek:

I've been to movie theaters where you can see a bugs silhouette on screen. (:eek:cringe)

Don't forget the overpriced junk food, parking, hours in traffic to get to the theater just to stand in line. Instead of being a relaxing day, you come home exhausted, even worse if the movie turns out to be crap. :rolleyes:

[dscheer]

Your Parasound HCA 1500 Power Amp at the Wall Outlet, Power Consumption is 1000 Watts That is 8.3 Amps. Your Parasound 1200II also consumes about 1000 watts / 8.3 Amps. Just the 2 Amplifiers require at least 17 Amperes. Most Wall Recepticals are on a 15 or 20 amp Circuit. So here is the deal, If you run your system at low to moderate listening levels you may be ok, However; You Amplifiers will be starved for power when you decide to crank up the listening level and it is very possible that sooner or later you will fry the Mosfets / J-Fet's / Output Transistors in your Amps and when they blow they really blow. These HCA Amps are High Current Amps and they really deserve a Dedicated 20 Amp Power Circuit or much better 2 each 20 Amp Dedicated Circuits (I know you cannot always do 2 circuits but at least 1 each 20 amp circuit dedicated just to the power Amps) You will not only protect your equipment but you will enable your amps to give you the Dynamic Range they were designed to deliver (No Power Strip or conditioner will do what a Dedicated Circuit can do) Conditioners are limited to the Power Provided to the Conditioner from the wall receptical. You must ask yourself about the wall receptical in you audio room, besides the equipment you have pluged into this wall receptical, what other wall recepticals in your home are on the same 15 or 20 amp circuit and what is plugged into them (Total Power Consumption ?).

I enjoy viewing all of the systems on the System Showcase Forum and learning about other systems. Thanks for letting me participate.
dscheer at Donto's Get-Away!

[reberly]

dscheer, thanks you are very informative. I'll be looking at my fuse box this evening and figuring out some of the points you brought up.

[avphile]

Do the amplifiers that require more than 15A come with two power chords? If so, can I plug each into a different wall outlet so that the total current available is 30A? Also, how much does it typically cost to add a 20A circuit to a room in your house?

[Ferres]

Your Parasound HCA 1500 Power Amp at the Wall Outlet, Power Consumption is 1000 Watts That is 8.3 Amps. Your Parasound 1200II also consumes about 1000 watts / 8.3 Amps. Just the 2 Amplifiers require at least 17 Amperes. Most Wall Recepticals are on a 15 or 20 amp Circuit. So here is the deal, If you run your system at low to moderate listening levels you may be ok, However; You Amplifiers will be starved for power when you decide to crank up the listening level and it is very possible that sooner or later you will fry the Mosfets / J-Fet's / Output Transistors in your Amps and when they blow they really blow. These HCA Amps are High Current Amps and they really deserve a Dedicated 20 Amp Power Circuit or much better 2 each 20 Amp Dedicated Circuits (I know you cannot always do 2 circuits but at least 1 each 20 amp circuit dedicated just to the power Amps) You will not only protect your equipment but you will enable your amps to give you the Dynamic Range they were designed to deliver (No Power Strip or conditioner will do what a Dedicated Circuit can do) Conditioners are limited to the Power Provided to the Conditioner from the wall receptical. You must ask yourself about the wall receptical in you audio room, besides the equipment you have pluged into this wall receptical, what other wall recepticals in your home are on the same 15 or 20 amp circuit and what is plugged into them (Total Power Consumption ?).

I enjoy viewing all of the systems on the System Showcase Forum and learning about other systems. Thanks for letting me participate.
dscheer at Donto's Get-Away!

In real world situations, power amps don't get even near those rated power consumption specs unless you're going into ridiculously loud levels.

I believe someone had already tested this.:)

[cfrizz]

Welcome to Club Polk Dscheer.

[dscheer]

Do the amplifiers that require more than 15A come with two power chords? If so, can I plug each into a different wall outlet so that the total current available is 30A? Also, how much does it typically cost to add a 20A circuit to a room in your house?

Some Amps do come with 2 each seperate power Cords.
Example is the Parasound HCA 3500 Dual Mono Amps.
or the Parasound Halo JC1 Amps.
Your room may have 4 or 5 wall outlets. Chances are that they are all connected to the same circuit (either 15 or 20 amps).
No matter how many wall outlets are on this circuit, 3 or 5 or 20 the circuit only provides 15 / 20 amps total. So plugging 2 power cords into 2 wall outlets on the same circuit still only provides 15 / 20 amps total. It's only when the wall circuit is totaly dedicated to a 15 / 20 amp breaker that it will provide the 15 / 20 amp rating.
If you do the installation of this 20 amp circuit yourself (If you need help get a friend that understands Home electric circuits) cost is very resonable if you have room for additional circuit breakers in you breaker panel. You will need to purchase 1 each 20 amp circuit breaker (same Type / model as your breaker box requires) and some 12-2 Romax wire (what ever length you need for the run from the breakerbox to you dedicated recepticle). some romax staples, a 20 amp rated duplex wall recepticle, recepticle box and cover. Cost for the above parts/material less than $75.00. If you do not have training on this please get help from someone that does. Not worth killing yourself or burning your house down for a dedicated circuit.
This is the best Tweek! one can do for their system. and if you are able to do it youself or with help from a trained friend. Good Grief! $75.00 for Dynamic Range that you may not be achieving from your system as it is today. I highly recommend this Low Cost Tweek!.
Good Luck! Good Talking with you!

dscheer @ Donto's Get-Away!
1 each Parasound HCA 3500 Power amp, 4 each Parsound HCA 1500A Power Amps, 2 each Sony Elite Series TA-n55es Power Amps, Parasound P/HP Preamp, Onkyo DV-C503 Changer, Samsung DVD-1080p7-1080i-1080p Player, Speakers: Polk 12c "R.T.A." Monitors, 3 each Cerwin Vega subwoofer (15" Drivers), Toshiba Int High Def 50" DLP. Adcom AC Enhancer ACE-515 (For CD/DVD Units), Amp AC Conditioner Isolation Trans w/ Filtration Circuits Time Delayed Power-Up/Down/off Voltage Monitor w/Auto Shut Down High/Low Setpoints. (For Power Amps). Nordost Frey Interconnects.

[dscheer]

In real world situations, power amps don't get even near those rated power consumption specs unless you're going into ridiculously loud levels.

I believe someone had already tested this.:)

I Agree! However, The HCA Amps are unlike your Rotel RMB 1077.
Your Amp, As an example, is a class "D" Amp (Has a smart Power Supply)
Runs very cool. Your 7 Channel Amp is a very efficient Amp. Runs at a total of 400 Watts or 3.3 Amperes (All Channels driven) from the wall outlet. Proton also made Amps such as yours and they too were wonderful amps.
But Parasound and even some Rotel Amps are High Current Amps. They run hot even at an low listening levels. Because they run in a Class "A" Mode up to 15 to 25 Watts per channel, Not Very Efficient. Lots of Heat and Heat require lots of Amperes. And when one pushes the volume up to Live Listening Levels for extended periods of time, Well You see where I am going with this.
My concern is with those who have High Current Amps and lets say more than 1 of them on a 15 to 20 Amp undedicated circuit. This could lead to problems and the Amp's owner(s) are missing out on the Dynamics these HCA Amps were designed to perform to.

You Know! Even your efficient Rotel RMB 1077 would perform at it's optimum with a dedicated circuit.
Thanks for chatting with me!
dscheer @ Donto's Get-Away!

[Ferres]

I Agree! However, The HCA Amps are unlike your Rotel RMB 1077.
You Know! Even your efficient Rotel RMB 1077 would perform at it's optimum with a dedicated circuit.
Thanks for chatting with me!
dscheer @ Donto's Get-Away!

I know what you mean. I also have a dedicated circuit with a 60amp rating. But Reberly might not appreciate the difference yet, I'd let his system mature a bit.:p

I was not referring to my amp. It was in someone else thread where they checked the power consumption. :)

[reberly]

Thanks guys for the education. I'll have to live with my 20amp circuit at this house. Cant even imagine how someone would run another circuit into my Living Room. I'm in AZ, no basement and no attic in this townhouse of mine. In the process of purchasing another home so a dedicated HT room is something i am looking for. Look forward to making my 3.1 into a 5.1 or better.

[thejck]

if the amp is pulling more than 15amps from the circuit wont it blow the circuit breaker first. the amp has no idea what rating the circuit breaker is all it knows is that there is 120 volts available and its going to start drawing as much current as it needs to do its job. when it tries to pull more than 15amps the circuit should trip.

woudnt you only have problems if your cirtuit is tripping??