Emotiva LPA-1 and Parasound HCA-1000 direct comparison

[tjhenry]

Just wanted to add my experience with the Emotiva LPA-1. I read everything I could get my hands on about this amp, hoping it would sound as good for music as the Parasound HCA-1000 (125W x 2) I have currently. I have never found any direct comparisons of sound quality of the LPA-1 versus any other stand-alone amp. First off, build quality is impressive, as everybody has said. A nice looking amp. But, SQ was my primary concern. At $ 500 with free shipping, I REALLY wanted this amp to compare favorably to the Parasound. Styles of music for comparison included rock, blues, reggae, jazz, and bluegrass played through Energy Ref. Conn. RC-10s.

The LPA-1 is a great performer, but it was outclassed by the Parasound in almost every category. Highs through the LPA-1 were bright and the midbass region was thin in comparison to the Parasound. Male vocals lacked weight through the LPA-1. Deep bass through the LPA-1 had more weight, but was not as tight as the Parasound. Imaging and soundstage were also superior through the Parasound. Sound appeared to be floating from further out of the speakers when played through the Parasound. This isn't to say the LPA-1 didn't play midbass well or the soundstage was absent; the Parasound was just better. I obviously can't say which amp is more "accurate" to the source, but I preferred the SQ of the Parasound. I would approximate the performance of the LPA-1 to be 80% that of the Parasound. Not a night and day difference, but noticeable.

As a quick note, I also own a Proton AA-2580 5 channel amplifier (80W x 5). The LPA-1 destroyed the Proton in every way. Greater dynamics, better imaging, better separation and detail. So, the LPA-1 is a clear winner as an upgrade from a receiver or a lower quality amplifier.

I live almost on the West Coast, so the $ 50 return shipping I paid, while a bit high, was worth the peace of mind for me.

Hope this helps.

 

[mattburk]

Are you going to try the RPA-1 too?

 

[MDS]

If you already own a Parasound amp and are happy with the sound, why on earth would you even bother to spend more money to buy another amp that is essentially in the same class?

If you ditch the Parasound and use the Emotiva exclusively for a month so your impressions would likely change as your ears adapt to the sound. Chasing 'sound quality' by constantly changing amplifiers is a futile (and costly) endeavor.

 

[WmAx]

Deep bass through the LPA-1 had more weight, but was not as tight as the Parasound.

Perhaps try wrapping a strong leather belt around the LPA-1 and 'tighten' it up.

Imaging and soundstage were also superior through the Parasound. Sound appeared to be floating from further out of the speakers when played through the Parasound. .

Ah. Yes. Common problem. You can order the optional pontoon floats for the LPA-1 and then place it into a large plastic Rubbermaid container(included with the option) filled with water to render this a non-issue. I think that you will find this amp will 'float' like no other with this optional package.

-Chris





BTW, this is the Audioholics.com forum. Did you expect a serious response to that crazy sounding Stereophile-style post?

 

[jcPanny]

Did you give the Emotiva Amp time to break in?

Just kidding,
Good feedback on the amps. The Parasound products are obviously in a different price and performance range than the LPA-1. I wonder how the higher end emotiva products would compair?

 

[WmAx]

The Parasound products are obviously in a different price and performance range than the LPA-1.

Obviously? Well, different price range, perhaps. I saw no credible evidence that they were in a different performance range, or even the same performance range. The Emotiva might be a better amplifier(better ability to handle complex loading) for all I know at this point. What use are such non-controlled listening experiences that allow psychological factors to rule one's perceptions?

-Chris

 

[tjhenry]

Cripes!

What's the deal? I wanted to help some potential buyers out there by posting a comparison of 2 affordable amps. And I don't really believe trying to find a good sounding amp on a limited budget is a futile endeavor. There are so many in the $ 500 to $ 1000 (new and used) price range to choose from and limited opportunity to audition, even in the larger city I live in.

I was looking for a 5 channel amp, because I was using the Proton to drive my center and surrounds and the Parasound was powering the L/R channels. There was a HUGE difference in sound quality when effects would pan across the front channels during movies. So, I was looking for a 5 channel amp that would perform closely to the Parasound for stereo listening.

On a cost basis, I would agree that the Parasound might be in a different category than the Emotiva. When new, the 2 channel HCA-1000 retailed for $ 600 compared to the 6/7 channel Emotiva LPA-1 for $ 500. But again, you never know until you hear it.

Ultimately, I was trying to help interested LPA-1 buyers by offering my opinions on a comparison to an affordable amp that someone else may be doing research about and spare them the hassle of lugging a 76 pound shipping container to FedEx to return. Obviously, it's my preference and opinion that I liked the Parasound more, but I spent cumulative days trying to find a thread about the LPA-1 compared to ANY amp and could never find it. So much for trying to help.

 

[Adam]

tjhenry, please don't be discouraged. Personally, I'm glad that you posted your review. I'd seen that amp recommended a few times on this forum, but (like you) I hadn't found much in the way of comparisons.

I appreciate you taking the time to share your impressions of that amp. This forum is to share knowledge and opinions, and I'm glad that you did.

EDIT: On a side note, my Arizona brother, it's wicked hot today! Tucson's a little cooler than Scottsdale, but it's still no picnic.

 

[tjhenry]

Emotiva RPA-1

I'd like to try the RPA-1, but it's a little out of my price range. I'm hoping to find a 5 channel amp with good sound quality in the $ 700 or less range so I can use it for home theater too. It boils down to me being a cheap bastard. I wanted the LPA-1 to sound comparable to the Parasound, so I could spend $ 200 less than a used Rotel RMB-1075 or Parasound HCA-1205. But, I wish I had the money for a dedicated 2-channel system. I've read a couple of excellent reviews for the RPA-1.

I also want people to know I'm happy Emotiva is in the market. Where else can you buy a new 6/7 channel amp for $ 500? If I had more money, I would have liked to have used the Outlaw 30 day policy to compare the 7075 to the LPA-1. I wonder if that extra $ 200 gets you much more?

I also ordered the LMC-1 at the same time to audition. Again, where can you get a nicely equipped pre/pro brand new for $ 499? Only Emotiva.

 

[highfihoney]

What's the deal? I wanted to help some potential buyers out there by posting a comparison of 2 affordable amps. And I don't really believe trying to find a good sounding amp on a limited budget is a futile endeavor. There are so many in the $ 500 to $ 1000 (new and used) price range to choose from and limited opportunity to audition, even in the larger city I live in.

I was looking for a 5 channel amp, because I was using the Proton to drive my center and surrounds and the Parasound was powering the L/R channels. There was a HUGE difference in sound quality when effects would pan across the front channels during movies. So, I was looking for a 5 channel amp that would perform closely to the Parasound for stereo listening.

On a cost basis, I would agree that the Parasound might be in a different category than the Emotiva. When new, the 2 channel HCA-1000 retailed for $ 600 compared to the 6/7 channel Emotiva LPA-1 for $ 500. But again, you never know until you hear it.

Ultimately, I was trying to help interested LPA-1 buyers by offering my opinions on a comparison to an affordable amp that someone else may be doing research about and spare them the hassle of lugging a 76 pound shipping container to FedEx to return. Obviously, it's my preference and opinion that I liked the Parasound more, but I spent cumulative days trying to find a thread about the LPA-1 compared to ANY amp and could never find it. So much for trying to help.

You will quickly learn that anybody who claims to hear a difference in amplifiers will be roasted over the coals,mostly by the same people,dont let that bother you,there are a bunch of us here who appreciate hearing about head to head comparisons.

Thanks for taking the time to post a review.

 

[cfrizz]

Nice review, thanks for posting it.

As Hifihoney pointed out, there are some on here who do everything in their power to either discredit those of us who know & appreciate what a good powerful amplifier can do for a system.

Or they go rushing into threads that are asking for advice about purchasing an amp, and then post all kinds of reasons why they don't need an amp, rather than being helpful.

They seem unwilling to live & let live & simply ignore any questions or reviews regarding amplifiers.

It's kind of sad.

If you do any other comparisons, do post those reviews as well!

 

[mike c]

and if you have pictures ... post em if you got em!

 

[davidtwotrees]

I didn't know about the great amplifier debate on here! My second Acurus A250 is coming this morning. I built two amp stands, one for each 250 and they are sitting next to my front speakers.
I was told I was a slacker for not owning an SPL meter. I have one now. I used a reference song yesterday, (Portishead, Dummy, It could be Sweet), and took readings while playing it through my server, and off the disc in my 3910. (interesting that the serever was 5dB louder). And this weekend I will take measurments with the Acurus' in the system.

I am a subscriber to StereoPhile magazine. WmAx mentioned their review style and I do agree to an extent that reviewers really "hear" a lot of things that I am not sure that I could. Still, I would jump at the chance to sit in on a review session with the Krell monoblocks and the Wilson Watt Puppies and whatever it was they were reviewing.............

 

[Tomorrow]

I think some of WmAx's warning bells were tripped by:

Your newness to the forum.
Your first posts being of the "hail Parasound" nature.
And mostly your unstated testing/comparison methods.

It's really okay to give your opinions here on Audioholics. Since they're just opinions, while generally appreciated, you might be asked to defend them. As HFH suggested, don't take offense. It's not personal. But it is true that we get company trolls here who come on and immediately start singing the praises of Brand X. It puts doubt in some readers' minds.

Oh, I have Emotiva's baby integrated amp, the BPA-1 (along with other brands), and it's a terrific performer IMHO.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[mattburk]

nice review. It would be a little more practical for me if you were able to compare the parasound to the likes of the rpa-1. It makes more sense to me to compare a two channel amp to another two channel amp.

 

[mike c]

first, tomorrow is right regarding guerilla marketers. one reason why I ask for pics is because, at least then, the guerilla marketers will have to redecorate everytime they want to make a new story.

second, how come wmax gets to keep his audioholic samurai title and the rest of us get the couch potato titles!

 

[Seth=L]

second, how come wmax gets to keep his audioholic samurai title and the rest of us get the couch potato titles!

Umm, it says Audioholic Couch Potatoe now. Congratulations RJBudz, you lazy couch potatoe. (why do we have couches for our computers instead of chairs?)

 

[Tomorrow]

Umm, it says Audioholic Couch Potatoe now. Congratulations RJBudz, you lazy couch potatoe. (why do we have couches for our computers instead of chairs?)

You mean you don't have a couch next to your comp/monitor?!

 

[Seth=L]

You mean you don't have a couch next to your comp/monitor?!

I said "we", sorry I'm French.

 

[mazersteven]

Look at all the Couch Potato's.