This is a great amp. I recently put together a home theater system in addition to my stereo. My other amp is a Proceed Amp-2. I got a good deal on a the parasound, and they threw in a 200 watt two channel 1500A for $150. For less than the cost of a ATI 1505 I built a 200+ Watt 5 channel system. These two units are massive and well built. These amps clearly compete with the AMP-2. The produce massive, well defined bass with ease. They lack the slightest amount of detail compared with the AMP-2 , but this is not noticed. The imaging is great, with a deep, wide soundstage. This amp is a bargin, but with the current factory deal is a steal. You could not build a better 5 channel system for less with USED EQUIPMENT from another manufactor.

Bought these used for $1,000. I really can't comment too much on the type of sound I get, which is how it supposed to be with amps anyway. However, I think for the money ($1,750 new), one cannot ask for anything better. I'm currently using it to power my front three channels. And an Adcom GFA-545 II for the rears. Frankly, I don't think I'll be looking for a replacement amp anytime soon. How this amp is constructed, maybe the next millenium!!! In its price range the only amp that came close was the McCormack HT-1
SYSTEM:
Musical Fidelity X-RAY [CD Player]
Toshiba SD-3108 [DVD Player]
Adcom GFP-750 [PreAmp]
Marantz DP-870 [Surr Proc.]
Aiwa Ad-F780 [Tape Deck]
Adcom GFT-555 II [Tuner]
Parasound HCA-2003 [3Ch Amp]
Adcom GFA-545 II [2Ch Amp]
Von Schweikert VR-2000 [Front Spkr]
Von Schweikert LCR-20 [Center Spkr]
PSB Alpha Mini [Rear Spkr]

Speaker Cables:
Monster Cable M2.2 [Front & Center]
Monster Cable M1.2 [Rear]
Interconnects:
Kimber Kable Hero [CD, DVD, Surr Proc & PreAmp to Amp]
Kimber Kable PBJ [Tape & Tuner]

This 220W 3-channel amp was discontinued some time in late '98, but I found a dealer who had two new HCA-2003s still in stock. I got them both, even though they were a bit of overkill for my system. These amps are built like a tank, and they sound fantastic with hard rock and action movie sound tracks. I had a B&K AV amp and while it sounded great to me and had great features, the amp hummed very loudly, the speakers hummed, everything hummed. The amp would even hum when it was off (in standby). I exchanged it twice and send it back to the factory once, but they never fixed the problem completely, so I returned it. The Parasound amps are dead quiet. The THX features (level controls and 12V trigger) also work great.
System:
B&K Reference 20 preprocessor/pre-amp
2 Parasound HCA-2003A amps
Sony DVP-C600D DVD player
Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v2 fronts
2 Paradigm Reference Studio CC v2 centers (aka CC-450)
Paradigm Reference Studio ADP rears (aka ADP-450)
Paradigm Reference Servo 15 sub
Monster M-1500/M-1000 interconnects
Monster 12ga speaker wire (bi-wired)

Bought this Amp used for center and surround speakersHCA 2200mk11 for main, the power from these amps is amazing
Super tight bass and semi tube like sound.
THE 2003 IS VERY CLOSE TO THE 2200 for sound quality......
DVD's sound out of this world
For the money ,I paid 850.00 used, nothing comes close to the 2003
A great AMP.

If you are in the market for a superb 3-channel amp- look no farther than the 2003. Tight, accurate bass-dynamic presence, and a ton of power is what you get.Ground hum can be a problem with old wiring/unconditioned power lines. This is common among all big amps though. When pushed, the amp does get a bit warm, but not anything to get alarmed about.

Ultra clean power!!!

physical depth, may not fit in some racks.

Picked up this amplifier used. What a deal. Amplifier has brutal power. It is dead quiet. A touch on the warm side. I'm using it for the center and rears in my home theater system. Drives my large center channel with authority and ease. Build quality is great. Great looks. I have listened to a fair number of the high dollar amplifiers. I think Parasound is very value. You can spend a lot more, but, I don't think you will get much more!

Similar Products Used:

Parasound HCA-3500, 1500, Carver TFM-15, Hafler 120, Dynaco 400

Powerful,noise free,very accurate.

None that I have heard.

This amp has enough power to drive my speakers to levels I did not think they were capable of doing. Bass is tight and very well controlled. Mid range is smooth without being compressed. Highs are quick and accurate without any harshness or brightness. My amp is the HCA2003A. It has a bigger power supply than the 2003 and is biased class A to 12 watts on all three cahnnels. This amp powers my three front channels of my video system and doubles for the amp on two channel for music.

sound quality,power, looks great, build quality

no auto turn on (I hooked mine to a light switch near listening position) to save walking 10 feet!

Have not really challenged, am using above 80hz, have sub with other amp, didnt need this much power bought because dealer had on sale and needed 3 ch amp, and sound quality was as good as anything out there.

Similar Products Used:

carver, nad