Price

remote, background noise.

I bought this pre/pro in January to replace my Marantz AV 550. I have really not ben very happy with it. I agree with most of the other reviews that the 2 channel sound is excellent. I do however have a problem with a low level noise during low volume. i am also hving a problem with the popping noise when I change channels on the DSS system Or switch between CD's in my CD Changer. I sen the unit to Parasound to HAve it tested and was advised that it was working correctly. They stated that some of the noise may be the reslut of using super efficient speakers. I am also having a hard time getting comfortable with the supplied remote. I think I would be okay with it if I hadn't used the Marantz for so long. I also miss being able to turn the sub off and on from the remote. I generally perfer to listen to music with out the sub and watch movies with it. I must admit though that I heard a distinct improvement in clarity and detail at normal listening levels with this pre/pro. If not for the low level noise and the remote I would be very happy with this unit. I have pretty much decided that I will be looking at the Marantz AV 9000 or B&K Ref 30 in the near future to replace this Pre/Pro.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz AV 550

2 channel imaging is stunning with the right CD player and disk. (Analog input)

DTS decode is excellent.

Vocal S's are smooth, not harsh.

Re-Eq works great, U-571 in DTS is a real experience.

Sub woofer to full range speaker transition is flawless.

I can hear the limitations of the recordings using this preamp in my system.

I can't get the Parasound remote to learn from my other remotes, but it may be OE. Yes, I read the instructions :)

I read the other reviews and was a little worried before purchasing. I have not had a single problem, this unit works fantastic for the cost. The price has dropped to $899 list and is available for as low as $675 as a demo unit.

Listening equipment -

Boston Acoustics A400 - Fronts
Boston Acoustics VR12 - Center
Boston Acoustics T1000 - Rears
Madisound 15" Sledghammer sub in my own cabinet

Carver TFM35 - Fronts
Carver TFM35 - Center/Sub
Rotel RB-870BX - Rears

AMC CD9 - CD player

Panasonic DVD-R31 DVD player

Similar Products Used:

Lots, I do high end custom home theater installation for a living.

2 channel sound.

Weak on everything else.

This is a follow up to my review post earlier. To begin with, I really want to like this preamp. I began my search for a new AV receiver replacement about 6 months ago. My previous Denon AVR-2400 was not the best in sound but it was very flexible on settings for HT and was ergonomically wonderful to use. It did not require a lot of brain power to setup and operate. Along the way, I upgraded to a Denon AVR-3300. The Denon was great for HT but totally sucked for music. This is my opinion. I returned this unit and decided to upgrade to separates after looking at my options. Being on a limited budget of $2000, this will barely get you into separates, I purchased the AVC-1800 with the Rotel RMB-1075 amp. I talked myself out of purchasing the Rotel RSP-976 preamp on the basis of what the salesmen preferred. I did state that music quality played a big part in my decision. What I forgot in my excitement was that I would be using this to watch TV and DVD's 70% of the time and that my wife and children were going to be using it. My TV sound went out this winter and I really liked using my system for sound all the time.

Back to the AVC-1800. I bought it and now I'm stuck with a stereo system that tries to do HT. I know I'm going to get blasted for this statement, but that's why we have chocolate and vanilla ice cream. The AVC-1800 is a HT nightmare. If all you’re looking for is very good 2-channel sound with limited HT functionality, then this preamp may be for you. If your looking for any level of HT flexibility then look elsewhere. The price point on this product does not warrant what you’re getting.

To begin with it occasionally makes a high-pitched squeal when starting DVD’s. It’s not just a little squeal. Even with the sound way down it’s loud and long….. My sales rep stated that this was caused when the unit detected a DTS signal. The DVD was not DTS encoded. Next, I watch Dolby ProLogic TV 100% using my HT setup. I have a DSS with optical out that is set to input optical 2 as stated in the manual. It took me awhile to notice that when I turn the preamp off and then back on it DOES NOT remember that it was set to ProLogic. Instead, I comes on in 2-channel. No big deal you say. It does remember that it was set to Optical 2 but not the DSP mode. For an HT preamp with no DSP modes why it cannot remember this setting is beyond me. In order to watch this using Pro-Logic you have to use the unfriendly wife remote to switch it. “No, I don’t think”, so says the wife and kids. “Why can’t it work like the old one”, they say. I have no answer other than it does sound great with music. My last beef is with the center channel sound level using DD 5.1. The rest of my setup over powers it. I have boosted the CC output to compensate.

I am not going to post a low ratings because it does do what I thought I really wanted it to do, music. I made the mistake that if it's good in 2-channel then it's got to be good at HT. I’m also nitpicking because I made an expensive mistake and in reality lost sight of what I was truly trying to upgrade and replace. Careful what you wish for it may come true and always remember that your wants will always exceed your needs.

Anyone want a 2 week old AVC-1800, email me and we’ll see what can be worked out.

Current System
AVC-1800 preamp
Rotel RMB-1075 amp
Rotel RCD-951 CD
Toshiba SD-4205 DVD
Mirage OM-10 Mains
Mirage OM-C3 Center
Boston Acoustic surrounds
Mirage Frx-15 sub

Sound!!!

Constant Tuner Display, What were they thinking...

The only design quirk this unit has is the constant tuner display, which they explain in the user manual as: "So you will know what radio station the tuner will be on when you switch to it". They would have spent less on a single display for everything. Also, Parasound could have added a couple extra digital inputs (they are only marginally sufficient), and maybe a digital output for a CDR deck.
Anyway THE UNIT SOUNDS VERY CLEAN IN ALL MODES, ESPECIALLY IN TWO CHANNEL.
I don't know of anything anywhere near this price range that is even in the same vicinity as this unit when it comes to sound quality. It sells for as much as a Best Buy receiver and sounds like a $2500 processor.
Run, don't walk to the store and get one if you're even considering a HT Receiver!

Great Recommendation.
BTW, my unit is dead quiet, no pops, the DTS flag detection takes maybe 1/4 sec. No problems here.

Similar Products Used:

Too many to list

Just read the last AVC-1800 review. I may have the solution to the volume problem. Believe it or not, the small large switch settings on the back will affect the volume. I noticed that when the sub is off and surrounds or center are set to large the L/R (large) volume will drop significantly. I called Parasound tech support and they at first did not know what I was talking about. I finally got thru to ? and being the AVC-1800 expert he stated that various switch combinations will affect volume.
I'm not at home now so I cannot give you what settings do what. Try setting your center and surrounds to small and see what happens. I do this when listening to two channel and at -10 you will be blown away. At 0 things get ah movin.
I've posted several reviews below and I'm continue to be happy with my purchase. I do wish that there was an analog pass-thru feature.

Digital processor faulty

Just a follow up to my previous post. like the rest, went through a few of these units and none of them work correctly. the background buzz in DD started to drive me nuts. loved the 2 channel stereo sound. Seems parasound has quality control like adcom or HK, virtually nil. Called the companies tech line and they said to return it and it would be repaired. Instead of waiting for weeks to get my preamp back I decided just to bag it and took it back to Goodguys for a refund. Bought a Rotel RSP-976 and it works perfect. Kept the Parasound 5-channel amp though............

lots of power to drive 4ohm low efficiency speakers.

Tuner.Antena placement is fussy. some stations cut out all together.

This is my first DD, DTS amp after using a Yamaha 1070 prologic for 4 years and the difference is obvious. less wattage but more amps when matched with the HC855. great 2 channel. good bass and sound stage. but then a lot depends on the rest of your equipement. highly recommneded for HT and 2 channel music listening.

$1500.00 at Advance.

AVC1800
HC855
Infinity Renaissance 90
Yamaha 705 CD
Toshiba 1200 DVD

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha MX1 for 2 channel music.

Price, upgradeable, well built

Features, refinement, onscreen display

To start, I read all the reviews posted on this item before writting this and unfortunately after buying the 1800. PARASOUND you should be paying attention to the comments here as there is are a lot of audiofiles that are comming to pages like this PRIOR to purchasing equipment!

I want to be upfront and state that because of the poor performance of this unit I have returned it to the dealer after only keeping it for two weeks.

It was returned for the following reasons:
1. Pop and click noises between CD tracks and DVD sceens. This was a problem on both the unit I had and the demo that the dealer had. The dealer was using a low end DVD player and no power conditioner so we though it would go away on my home system. It appears that the auto detect feature looses the signal for just long enough to cause it to have to redetect and this generates an audible pop is all channels being driven at the time.
2. Not enough gain. The -60 to -40 is a flat waste of adjustment and the -9 to +9 is not enough. I found myself listing to movies and some music on the + side! Even my Denon 3200 didn't require this high of a volume setting to achieve adequate sound.
3. The onscreen volumn display is not defeatable and is to large.
4. The auto format detect feature is to slow and you loose the first portion of the CD's first track.
5. If a $500 reviever can get all the above features right then there is no excuse for a $1200 pre-amp not to! Your paying an extra $700 for what? Two good DA's? Buy a good outboard DA and use a receiver. Parasound needs to fix the OSD and get its processor's up to speed with the others on the market! Don't let the BS'ers out there fool you there are equal/better sounding processors in several recievers right now. I will conceed that there are no receivers in this price range the sound better in 2 channel but I feel this is largely due to the better internal DA's on the 1800.

Does it do anything right?! YES.
1. It sounds great in 2 channel mode.
2. When it is playing movies that don't fad out between sceens causing it to pop it has great sound. In fact it draws you into the movie even if its the 100th time you have watched it.
3. The remote is great.
4. Setuo is relatively easy and has adquate adjustments.
5. I like the switched in the back fdor spkr size and sub cross over.
6. The 12V trigger works great.
7. The front pannel has all the necessary control.

I have heard that Parasound has fixed some of the units problems in subsequent shippings. I can't verify that but maybe the 2nd gen. units don't have the same problems. If not for the lack of gain and the spurious noises I would have kept the one I purchased.

One last note, I have auditioned many other more expensive processors (B&K, Lexicon, Sony, Rotel, Classe', Proceed). Some of which seem to have their own querks as well. I came to the 1800 because I haven't the funds to buy in the $2000+ range. I feel that listening to the other more expensive processors has given me a reference point to use for both the receivers and preamps that I have auditioned. I have found that the reviews on pages such as these have given me more insite then the mag reviews because most mags won't tell you the things that the product does bad or if they do they gloss over them.

System info:
NHT 1.2 system
Parasound HCA-2205a
Onkyo C-600 six disk DVD
Mitsubishi VCR and 45 rptv
Poineer 504 LD player
Wireworld spkr cable, svideo, and interconnects
Monster Power HTS 2000ci power line conditioner
Infinity SSW-10 sub
Processor ??????

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There really aren't any at this price point with the exception of Rotel and I was never able to find a dealer who had one to listen to.

Easy hookup, cool blue lighted remote, signal auto-detect, nice sound

Shows the tuner display all the time, rather than audio mode and source which are just little red lights, somewhat poor assembly quality

This thing doesn't seem to have a standy-by mode, so it forgets the surround mode for every source when it's shut off. Not good. As my first DTS pre/pro, I think it sounds great, no weird hums, whistles, beep or pops like in other reviews.

System:

Pre/Pro: Parasound 1800
Amp: Adcom 7000
DVD: Some old junker Panasonic, but w/DTS and optical out
CD: Theta Jade and a Conrad-Johnson DF4
LD: Denon something
Speakers: Martin-Logan Monolith III in front, SL3 in back, Cinema center
Sub: Klipsch

Similar Products Used:

Theta Casanova, Denon 3600 (non-DTS)

Low level noise is very high. In quiet dialog the noise (about 1 -2Kh )is very disturbing. (coming out from the front speakers).

Low level noise is very high. In quiet dialog the noise (about 1 -2Kh )is very disturbing. (coming out from the front speakers).
The human interface need to be improve.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz AV-560