Summary: Incredible detail, especially in the bass.
I've been trying different power amps in my studio system, and the Parasound is wonderfully accurate, neutral, and detailed. The cleanliness and detail in the bass is astounding.
Strengths: detail and punch, amazingly detailed bass, plenty of power (running with 4 ohm studio monitors)
Summary: The HCA-750A is no Sunfire or Bryston, but it's a really surprising amp for the money. I disagree with the reviewer who calls it mid-fi, unless you want to compare apples with oranges, i.e. Jadis, Mark Levinson, etc. The HCA-750A is a quality budget hi-fi component - no doubt about it. Unlike another reviewer I can't hear any line noise - I use a line conditioner on my system. I also don't think it lacks any serious detail (again - for the money), but this may be due to a good match in interconnects and pre-amp. All in all I find it capable of quite a bit of detail and it's actually overkill for my Klipsch RP3s - since they do not require a 75 watt amp. This little amp is clearly underrated and a good buy even at retail ($450)
System:
Parasound HCA-750A 75-Watt Stereo Amplifier Reference Line Preeminence One Line Stage Toshiba Progressive Scan 24/192 DVD/CD Player Klipsch Reference Series RP-3 Vans Evers 80 Series Eight Line Conditioner Transparent MusicLink Interconnect Cables MIT Terminator 4 Speaker Cables
Strengths: Warm, detailed, fast, detachable power cord, mono block option
Weaknesses: None for the money
Similar Products Used: None
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Summary: Overall I agree with the previous reviewers with the exception that I would highly suggest listening to A/B comparisons to the P/LD 100 line drive pre-amp paired with this amp instead of the 850. It comes with the remote and the 850 doesn't.
I was going to buy the 850 pre and the HCA 1000A for $100 less than the HCA 750A and the P/LD 1100.
When switched in blind A/B comparisons the difference was astonishing. The line drive pre-amp maintains much better signal separation than the 850. I would recommend going with the 750 and the better pre-amp if you don't need gobs of power but you want a big clean soundstage. I'm driving some older Klipsch Cornwalls with 101db sensitivity so 75 watts is plenty of power.
Strengths: Clear, fast sound, well rounded.
Weaknesses: None sonically. Mine had loose "feet", had to tighten screws.
Similar Products Used: Replaces Luxman integrated
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Rating Reviewed by: Jason Crickmer(Unregistered User)
(Audiophile)
Review Date November 26, 2000
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 3 months to 1 year
Review 4 of 8
, from Austin, Texas
Price Paid:
$495.00
from Audio by Design
Summary: When first introduced to Parasound by one of my favorite retailers, I was impressed by the afford-ability in light of the quality craftsmanship. I have three Parasound products which all perform flawlessly and have the exact features I was looking for... no bells or whistles to distract me from what I need.
The HCA-750A continues in that vein: clean, dynamic power in a well-designed, sturdy chassis. The substantial rocker on/off switch, the functional and high-quality potentiometers on the read panel, and the firm connectors capable of taking stiff interconnects, as well as the capable power cable, all reinforce what can be heard: clean, precise, non-nonsense power.
But, this amps lacks a little musically. It doesn't quite match some of Bryston's amps (which are more costly), but it is very comparable with Rotel or Adcom amps. It delivers what it is given, just amplified... if the front end doesn't have good drive, rhythm, or dynamics, don't expect that out of the HCA-750A. But, with a good combination of front-end, pre-amplifier, and interconnects, it will produce good results. And, at the price, how can one complain?
Conclusion: great value for a mid-fi system, whether for music or theatre. The best part about the value is that it lets you spend more money where it is truly needed, the front-end and the speakers.
Strengths: clarity, headroom, sturdy design
Weaknesses: susceptible to AC line noise
Similar Products Used: Parasound HCA-600, Yamaha M-35
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Summary: Great amp for the price. After returning a NAK RE-10 (BEWARE! THE NAK RE-10's soundstage is very compressed) I purchased the parasound. OH S&*t! what a difference! There was no comparison. Luckily this unit does not suffer the aboved mentioned 60 hz hum. Everything is A-okay so far.
Strengths: Clarity Clarity Clarity
Weaknesses: none that I have come by
Similar Products Used: Yamaha, NAK
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4 of 5
5 of 5
