Adcom GFA-555 VS Parasound HCA-1203A

[Codey]

I'm looking to add another to amp to my HT system and at the same time free up a couple channels for a second zone. I found goods deals on both the Adcom Gfa-555 and Parasound HCA-1203A, and would like some input.
Here's my current setup;
Front-Rti8s biamped with a GFA-6000 and GFA-2535
Center-Csi5 running off a 100w channel form the GFA-6000
Surrounds-Fxi3s running off the GFA-2535
Rear surround-Csi3 running off an 60w channel from the GFA-6000

Anyone have any suggestions on which one would be better suited to my needs?

Thanks

[heiney9]

I'd say the best match for your situation is the Adcom. If you are happy with the way your other Adcoms sound then go for the 555. Mixing a single Parasound with several other Adcoms*might* upset the synergy.

It's not entirely nec. to always go with the same brand but in your case you are so heavily into the the Adcom for your HT probably should stay with it across the board.

H9

[Codey]

I'd say the best match for your situation is the Adcom. If you are happy with the way your other Adcoms sound then go for the 555. Mixing a single Parasound with several other Adcoms*might* upset the synergy.

It's not entirely nec. to always go with the same brand but in your case you are so heavily into the the Adcom for your HT probably should stay with it across the board.

H9

Thanks, that's what I figured. On the other hand if the Parasound would be an improvement in sound quality I'd be willing to swap out the rest of the Adcom for more Parasound.

[heiney9]

Thanks, that's what I figured. On the other hand if the Parasound would be an improvement in sound quality I'd be willing to swap out the rest of the Adcom for more Parasound.


That's a slippery slope and can be a very expensive proposition based on other's opinions. There are those who prefer Parasound and those that prefer Adcom. Taking others advice can be tricky and may not take you where you want to go.

You seem to be happy with the Adcom gear so I say stick with it. But if you want to try another brand for your entire HT then be prepared to spend some$$$, do some comparisons and be satisfied with the outcome; positive or negative. The reward may or may not be worth the price of admission at this point in the game.

[Jer.War]

How do you find the low end on those adcoms Codey?? One of the amps I have been looking at to get my LSI15's off my reciever is the 555. Is there a hum or anything? Any qualms?
Thanks

[heiney9]

The low end is one of the many things the Adcom does extremely well. Very hard hitting, clean and controls difficult loads well. Has great damping capability. Having heard a friends 555 on a pair of LSi's 15's it's a great match and you will be very happy. I've had a 545 since new in 1986 and used it with RTA's, LSi's and my current SDA's and have never run out of juice and I have nothing but good things to say about it.

Good luck and happy hunting

H9

[dorokusai]

I agree with Heiney, just stay with the Adcom.

Jer - Parasound has a stronger, tighter low end. This is typically a trademark of Parasound amplifiers since John Curl started designing them. That's not to say the Adcom is bad, as mentioned previously they have a solid low end and are built very well.

[heiney9]

John Curl and Parasound are great choices to add into any amplifier hunt. Just realize not every Parasound amp was designed by John Curl; and behind Nelson Pass he is another of the great amp guru's.

H9

[dorokusai]

John Curl and Parasound are great choices to add into any amplifier hunt. Just realize not every Parasound amp was designed by John Curl; and behind Nelson Pass he is another of the great amp guru's.

H9

I believe he joined Parasound in 1996. Parasound didn't make much notable stuff prior to him anyways and you don't see much of it used. The larger amplifiers from the HCA-2200 MkII and up, are the ones to own.....don't sweat the little amps like the HCA-800 and below.

[heiney9]

Agreed.

Same situation to a certain extent with Nelson Pass's involvement with Adcom. John Curl's involvement with Parasound's larger amps was more involved than anything NP did with Adcom; the exception being the original 555 the 5800 and the current 5802. Even then from prototype to production Adcom made their own minor changes here and there. The 5802 is quite a nice amplifier.

H9

[dorokusai]

I've owned a bunch of Adcom but prior to that didn't give them much thought. They are straight forward and robust from a design standpoint. I like them.

[heiney9]

I've owned a bunch of Adcom but prior to that didn't give them much thought. They are straight forward and robust from a design standpoint. I like them.

For me that's one of their strong points; K.I.S.S. And that mimics NP's design philosophy. I don't think they are the end all, be all as far as amplifiers go, but they sure are dead reliable and have some great attributes and really can't be beat for the $$$. I've heard more expensive complicated designs that failed to have the balance of the original Adcoms.

Plus in the mid 80's thru the late 90's they were a very popular and successful product so they are easy to find on a regular basis and the supply helps keep them in the bargain category.

H9

[donedroolin]

PARASOUND ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have an A-51 Amp and it is a BEAST it is AWSOME.