Parasound 5250 or Rotel 1095?

[Tuddy]

Dealer called and the B&W 804S's are in, picking up tomorrow
and I am torn between the Parasound New Classic 5250 and the
Rotel 1095

I have read reviews on both, demoed the B&W's with the smaller
Rotel that was 120W 5 channel & it sounded great, so I can imagine
the 1095 will really make the speakers sing

Specs/Power are similiar and I can get a deal on the Parasound, the one
I really want, $2195 from Legacyaudiovideo.com (no shipping or taxes)

Or, would it be wise to buy an AMP that is manufactured by the same
parent company and sold with B&W speakers?

Appreciate any thoughts on the matter

 

[fmw]

I wouldn't buy any of them but let me make some comments that I think might be helpful.

If you look for equipment advice on an internet forum, and the person owns the product, then they are likely to tell you to buy it because telling you otherwise might make them seem like they made a mistake. I don't know why but most people don't like to admit mistakes. Personally, I make them all the time.

If the person providing the advice has no personal experience with the product then that advice is meaningless and that is the kind of advice you will get most of the time on an internet forum.

I should also mention that "reviews" should be taken with a grain of salt when it comes to sound quality. If a reviewer talks about ergonomics or capabilities or measurments then pay attention. It is probably good information. If he talks about sound quality ignore it completely. It is meaningless without objective listening tests.

So here is my advice. Any of the amps you mention will perform exactly the same under normal listening conditions. I'll bet you hard cash you couldn't tell one from another in a properly conducted objective listening test. That's the reality of things. Also, all of them are significantly more powerful than necessary for normal listening in a normal room in a home so don't get fuddled up with watt counting or power ratings. It matters far, far, far less than people on this and other forums would have you believe. Amps with flat frequency response and inaudible distortion are what they are.

Buy whichever turns you on. Simple as that. Whichever one makes you feel good about owning it is the best one for you. Ignore what other people prefer and buy what you prefer. It's that simple.

 

[Tuddy]

thanks FMW

I appreciate the knowledge

Your comment about Watts & Power ratings are in line with an article
I read yesterday at electronichouse.com

it said quality parts and measurment analysis are more important that
higher WATT AMPS, and the increase in Watts intl results in minor
performace enahancements

I was leaning toward a minimum 200 WATT AMP b/c my room is 25/15/20
and it opens up to a another 2000 square feet of an open floor plan

Happy Holidays

 

[PENG]

I appreciate the knowledge

Your comment about Watts & Power ratings are in line with an article
I read yesterday at electronichouse.com

it said quality parts and measurment analysis are more important that
higher WATT AMPS, and the increase in Watts intl results in minor
performace enahancements

I was leaning toward a minimum 200 WATT AMP b/c my room is 25/15/20
and it opens up to a another 2000 square feet of an open floor plan

Happy Holidays

The following is taken from a Stereophile article:

"Sound
Some audiophiles interpret the "less is more" principle as meaning that a low-power amplifier will almost invariably sound better than a high-power amplifier of similar design. They point out that most of the time the power drawn from an amplifier is less than a watt, and it's that first watt that is critical to musical reproduction. "If the first watt doesn't sound right, why would you want 399 more of them?" Presumably, it's easier to get the first watt right if the amplifier has to produce only 40W, not 400W (or, in the case of certain single-ended-triode tube amps, 5W).

To an extent, this argument makes sense. With greater power comes greater circuit complexity and more output devices to be matched. Smaller can be qualitatively better; unfortunately, the majority of today's speakers require substantial power, and many audiophiles want to play their systems at levels outside the capabilities of low-power amplifiers. What would be good to have is a high-power amplifier that sounds like a low-power amplifier except when it comes to maximum loudness capability. And that just about describes the RB-1090. Put another way, the Rotel engineers have assuredly got that first watt right."

If you want to read the whole review, here's the link:
http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/100rotel/

fmw is right, you really have to go and listen for yourself.

 

[cfrizz]

Go have a listen to both for yourself & pick the one you like the best. Both are top notch & will drive whatever speakers you have with ease now & in the future.

As for the debate about the wpc, I would rather have & not need than need & not have. Hence the amp in my signature!

 

[PENG]

As for the debate about the wpc, I would rather have & not need than need & not have. Hence the amp in my signature!

Nicely said!

 

[Warpdrv]

Well I would suggest that you take a look at the Emotiva thats coming out in 6 weeks, for 1/3 the retail price of the Rotel... BTW I have a Rotel and love it, but If I can spend less, all the better..

Have it and not need it...

 

[cfrizz]

He can also get more bang for the buck if he shops for those amps on Audiogon.

Here are some 1095's

http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?ampsmult&1203271903
http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?ampsmult&1202788844


Here is a Parasound 2205

http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?ampsmult&1203370332

 

[Warpdrv]

Funny.... that second link is only a few miles away from me... and Im pretty sure the guy works for my Dealer... and is selling these under the table for a profit here...


I contacted him about the last unit he was selling, and I told him I knew his boss... hehehhehe didn't hear back from him...

But ultimately they are in great condition, and probably a good deal...