A23 or HCA1500A or RB1080?

[VictorHRS]

Hi there Halo and Parasound Club members! This is just my second thread in this forum. I have appreciated it for a long time, but just as an observer. As you can see, I live in Brasil, which is not a good place to live if you like high quality audio. Everything is very expensive due to import taxes, and many brands aren't easily available here, such as Halo and Parasound. Since I'll be travelling to the US in a few days, I would like to seize the opportunity to buy a new amp.

Currently my system runs on a Rotel RMB-1075, with a RSP1068 as pre/pro, Philips 963SA as the source and a set of Paradigm speakers (S20v3s up front, CC-470 as the center, Mini-monitors as the surrounds and the sub PW-2100). Cabling is mixed, with monsters, VDH, Absolut Acoustics, and AR. I'll be investing more in 2 channel audio, so I will soon buy a new pair of front speakers (one of these - Paradigm Studio100v3, Dynaudio Audience 72SE / 82 or B&W703 / CDM9NT). And I want a stereo amp to drive these with enough power, headroom and finesse for years to come, maybe on a warmer side, compared to the Rotels. My budget is usd 1,400, and I don't mind buying an used amp. Here have narrowed somewhat my choices to these 3 amps:

1. Parasound HCA1500a 205w (800 new);
2. Rotel RB1080 200w (1000 new);
4. Halo A23 125w (850 new);

Has anyone compared the HCA1500 face to face with these other 2, especially the A23? I know that the A23 has the newer design and better general specs, but it has only 125w compared to the HCA´s 205w and Rotels 200w. All weighted in, it seems that the Parasound is the bargain, Rotel is the safe choice and the Halo is more refined. Do you agree?

I will appreciate very much all the help I can get, thank you.

Victor

[Chris D]

Hello again, Victor. I'm pretty sure somebody here has done comparisons on these three amps. Specifically, you may want to search for the "Parasound vs. Rotel" discussion thread that was going around for a while here in the Club.

How efficient are your Paradigm speakers? Something that it sounds like you're considering, though, is that you may be using other speakers in the future, too, and need more power. That's what ultimately made me decide to go with the A21 and A51 over the A23 and A52.

[dromayn]

hey victor, you'll probably end up with the same set up as i have in my family room speaker wise i should say. currently i have studio 100's v.3 up front, cc470 for center, and cc20 v.3 for a 5.1 set up. for the speakers you mentioned, i would recommend that you should get an amp that is around the 200wpc rating. i have tried running a pioneer elite reciever with my setup and the sound was just too thin for me. i am currently using krell separates to run them and they are just an absolute wonder to listen to.

[VictorHRS]

Thanks, Dromayn and thanks again Chris.

I have made a decision to stretch a little bit my budget and go for the Halo A21. I haven't heard it, so it's going to be a shot in the dark, despite having heard many great opinions on this amp.

And Chris, the Studio 100's have a 90db efficiency, the A23 I think will push it, but not as it should be pushed, with the dynamic and availability that it will require from the power. That's why I decided for the A21. It will also be a longer term decision.

Thanks!

Victor

[Chris D]

Great. I think you'll be very happy. Congrats on the new toys! :banana:

[VictorHRS]

Hello guys.
I'm posting this to thank everybody that helped me on choosing the Halo A21 as the power amp for my stereo set, specially Chris D and Brent Huskins. :T

The amp is awesome, lot's of control, low end punch, neutrality in all volumes. And how about the JC1's.... :E

Thanks guys, HtGuide is great!

Victor

[bhuskins]

Glad you made it back home safely with your A21.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[Chris D]

Great, Victor, post and tell us all about your stuff now!

[nicholtl]

Always cool to see another fellow audiophile join the fold...