Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Local A/V Shop

Summary:
After over 1 year of use, I still really like this unit. I'm posting this review in case anyone is out there considering buying one (at this point on the secondary market), or a 2500u new. It's a killer buy on audiogon or Ebay if you can find a reputable seller. I'm a 2 channel audio fan, so adjusting to this as my only preamp has been some work. The lack of tone controls was overcome with placement and EQing. The 2500 sounds fine to me, but sounded much better after I EQ'd my theater at the suggestion of a number of theater consultants. I'm astounded at the difference EQing made. Parasound is built well, and their upgradability means I don't have to keep running out and dropping 3.5K every 2 years to get the latest dig. The downside is there's always a module or bolt on to get. So far I have the external 6.1 rear channel processor, the phono preamp, add on bass management module, and the outboard AC-3 laserdisc decoder. I'm looking into the latest send-in upgrades for HDTV pass through and especially 5.1 external processor volume control. It stinks not being able to control volume on SACD and DVD-Audio material, however I'm glad there's an upgrade path. I find the menus and setup very intuitive, initial setup means going through the quirky manual. If you glance the manual cover to cover before messing with initial setup, you will be a MUCH happier entertainment recipient.

Strengths:
Built like a brick crapshack Lots of modularity for future upgrades. Many promise this, so few deliver like Parasound Un-ending inputs and outputs, very hard to outgrow. Excellent audio quality. If you go from something in the <$1000 Denon class, you won't believe what you have been missing Intuitive interface once you learn intial setup

Weaknesses:
Funky manual, though it's probably been revised since my version. AC-3 decoder for laserdisc is an external option

Similar Products Used:
Sherwood Newcastle R-945 (not THAT similar)

Price Paid:  $1800.00

Summary:
In my humble opinion this pre/pro has to be at the top of the list... even still given the AVC-2500 has been out for several years now. Parasound has been great at rolling out upgrades... first additional Bass Management, then 5.1 volume control, and now the HDTV component input/output upgrade. I have used this processor and compared to 2 other heavy hitters: Proceed AVP and the ADA Cinema Reference. Here are my thoughts: Setup - I had this unit connected and setup within an hour. The automatic calibration routine is fantastic... no meter required! If there is an easier to setup pre/pro, I have not seen it. Inputs - Has just about everything anyone could want. Yes there are pre-amps with more like the Anthem, but I've got way more inputs then I can use. If you like lots of balanced inputs and outputs, you may need to go elsewhere Processor - Easy to use and intuitive on screen and readout for surround modes. Surround Performance - Dolby Digital and DTS processing is fantastic. On par with the Proceed AVP and Cinema Reference. Stereo - Solid performer, though there are better. I have not heard a processor do better stereo than the Proceed units. Build - this thing is a 25 pound tank. The face plate must be a 1/4 inch thick. Very solid. Warranty - Is there another company that warrants their product for 10 years... don't think so. And when you call service.. there is a knowledgeable person there to help you every time. I had service performed on an older Parasound PSP-1500... they fixed and returned it within a week! Price - The pre/pros in this class include the Proceed ($4000?), Anthem ($3500), B&K Reference 30 ($2500), Sunfire II ($3000) AND the Parasound which you can get around $2000. The Parasound can go head-on with these pre-amps and you will pay less. Summary - I keep trying potential replacements for my AVC-2500, but always go back. Maybe it doesn't have all the new fancy surround options like Dolby Prologic II, DTS EX, etc... but I am sure Parasound is working on it.

Strengths:
Build, Surround Sound, Setup, Price

Similar Products Used:
Parasound PSP-1500 / PDD-1500 Parasound AVC-1800 Proceed AVP Proceed PAV ADA Cinema Reference

Price Paid:  $2400.00 from Local Dealer

Summary:
It has an excellent soundstage and performance for movies or 5.1 channel material. For music or two channel sources, it is very good but not excellent. Setup - the setup is complex and time consuming, but that is true for almost all home theater setups. Bring your quick connect guide! With the new bass management the setup is improved since it is easier to use the THX parameters to set up your system when you have full range speakers and powered subwoofers. The tuner works well in high signal strength areas and again provides a nice soundstage. I have the Parasound HCA 2205A amplifier. I wanted an amp that could meet the strains of home theater, but didn't require a fan for cooling. So far, the amp has been bullet proof. It is heavy, so if you are considering this setup, get help carrying it! This is a very fine unit, and arguably for the money at the top of its class. The Parasound AVC 2500 has proved over time to be somewhat disappointing. I have owned it for two years and enjoyed it immensely. It is not something you will master in a few days., unless you have used an elaborate pre-processor or high end AV Receiver before. Should you buy one? Yes, don't pay full price, they can be had for $2000 to $2500 new. Be prepared for a learning curve unless you are an expereinced HT person. As for dealers, they probably can't reapir it, so don't make the in house service a criteria, unless they are an authorized facility I miss my AVC 2500, see weaknesses

Strengths:
Listening to it. Trite? I don't mean to be. Simply turning it on, popping in a DVD or a CD and listening to it and/or watching a movie is the AVC 2500's strength. The flexibility of the controls, the ability to configure it and set it up as you like, all are great strengths. As I described above, it is complex to set up, but easy to listen to. You can shift modes and find out your current settings very easily. I have reverted to a Sony AV reciver while my Parasound is in for repair and I miss the flexibility and performance the AVC 2500 provides.

Weaknesses:
Not as upgradeable as Parasound would have you believe. My AVC 2500 is on its way back from Parasound, my two rear surround channels died and it had to be returned for repair and upgrading to the AVC 2500U specifications. I bought it two years ago so I glad it was under warranty, but dismayed it broke. I think a big failing is it doesn't pass high bandwidth video signals. There is a rumor of an upgrade, but no luck so far. The repair and the lack of capability to pass high bandwidth video is why I say it has been somewhat disappointing. If I have it for the next few years and it is bullet proof and continues to sound as well as it does, I may rewrite this review.

Similar Products Used:
JVC and Sony HT Receivers

Price Paid:  $1900.00 from Good Guys

Summary:
Wow! This thing retails for $3,600. It wasn't worth $1,900 I paid. I also bought Parasound's hca 2205 5ch amplifier.
Ok, now that I got your attention, let me explain. It's great for movies. It's a movie machine, but if you want it for music, you're going to be disappointed. Gosh, most of the mid-fi receivers I've heard sound better than this. There is very little audio control. No tone controls. It won't let you select subwoofer in stereo with large speakers, contrary to what the manual says. Even audiophiles, who eskew the hated tone controls and such, would probably not like this that much. The highs are shrill and metallic. Lows are very good, though.
As far as an A/V processor, it's pretty darn good. There were a couple of problems, though. Setup attenuated the subwoofer level to be almost inaudible. Video could not handle the output of my fading VCR. My receiver displayed some color, but the AVC2500 displayed black and white. I just wonder if the problems are specific to this unit.
If you're building a zoot home theater for movies only, this will likely work well. For us blue collar types who want to be near the high end, get the Denon, Integra, Marantz or B&K receiver. As for this unit, it's back on Good Guys clearance rack, along with the amp.

Strengths:
device switching, A/V

Weaknesses:
Subwoofer controls, music

Similar Products Used:
hca 2205

Price Paid:  $3500.00 from local dealer

Summary:
Boy, looking at the prices some of you paid it looks like I got taken to the cleaners!

I bought this unit primarily by reading reviews (such as this site) and through my local dealer recommendation. What I didn't realize was the units incompatability with progressive scan DVD players. What happens is that the unit will pass through the component signal OK, but the unit's "On Screen Display" becomes jumbled and unreadable. This means that the only way that you can read volume, source information, surround processing, etc is by getting up and looking directly at the 2500u display panel - not on your televison!!! (in a dark home theatre sitting 15 feet away from your unit this gets aggravating!) Also everytime you attempt to increase volume or change any of the parameters, a jumbled blurb of alphanumerics comes up on the screen for about 5 seconds. Since the alphanumerics were driving me crazy I now just have my DVD output directly to my projector (via 25 ft of component cable) and use the 2500u for surround processing only. The lack of OSD really takes away from my home theatre experience.

I wrote Parasound regarding this issue stating that I felt this OSD incompatability with progressive scan should be addressed (hopefully in an upgrade). I mean at their price point who isn't looking at progressive DVD players! Parasound was apologetic but had no solutions at this time.

Sound processing (DTS, Dolby Digital) is very good, the remote, although difficult to program, works well, and the amount of connectors will enable just about any type of system configuration. The auto formatting sequence works great and really simplifies set-up.

If you decide to purchase a 2500u, one other thing to investigate is the 2500u's bandwidth for handling HDTV. I am not certain but I believe that the video's component output will not handle the bandwidth (so in my case I'll again have to feed my projector directly from the HDTV decoder (utilizing a second run of 25 ft component cables) instead of running the video through the 2500u.(Just another issue I was hoping to avoid esecially after spending $3500).

I bought this unit with great anticipation. I now have mixed feelings. The sound processing end of the unit is excellent-the video end of things is lacking. Please Parasound offer an upgrade or the ability to trade up to your next generation processor!! This is almost an exceptional product!!!

Strengths:
good DAC's and good processing capabilities

Weaknesses:
As stated in review below, lack of compatability with progressive scan DVD players. If mating with a progressive scan player I would recommend looking at other units!

Similar Products Used:
first surround processor