Parasound 5250 vs Emotiva XPA-5

[JaBear]

Hey guys I'm looking into getting an amp to go with my Onkyo SC-5507, I really have been looking for a good priced XPA-5, mainly just waiting for it to go on sale at Emotiva. However I came across the other day a Parasound 5250 for around the same price of the XPA-5. Now this unit normally costs around 2700 and when this thing is at full price pretty sure I would have never even looked at the product. Now that they are around the same price it has me wondering if I should look at the Parasound 5250. It does seem on the surface to being similar products.

XPA-5
* Number of Channels: 5
* Signal to Noise Ratio:
1 watt: >97db
Full Power: >111db
* Input Impedance:
Unbalanced – 23.5kohms
Balanced – 33kohm
* Transformer Size: 1,200VA
* Secondary Capacitance: 60,000uF
* Output Devices: 6 per channel
* Topology: Fully Discrete, Dual Differential, High Current, Short Signal Path Class A/B
* Power output (all channels driven):
300 watts RMS @ 4 ohm (0.1% THD)
200 watts RMS @ 8 ohm (0.1% THD)
* Power Band Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz with less than .05db deviation at rated power
* Broadband Frequency Response (-3db): 5Hz to 150kHz
* Amplifier Gain: 32db
* Size:
Unboxed: 17” wide x 7.75” high x 19” deep
Boxed: 23.25" wide x 11.5" high x 24.5" deep
* Weight: 66 lbs (86 lbs boxed))


Parasound 5250
# Continuous RMS Power Output
20 Hz - 20 kHz, Five Channels Driven
250 watts x 5, 8 Ω
385 watts x 5, 4 Ω
# Current Capacity
45 amps peak per channel
# Frequency Response
20 Hz - 50 kHz, +0/-3 dB, 1 watt
# Dynamic Headroom
1.6 dB
# Total Harmonic Distortion
0.025% at full rated output
0.02% at average listening levels
# IM Distortion
0.05 %
# Transient IM Distortion
Not measurable
# S/N Ratio
114 dB at rated output, IHF A-weighted
106 dB at rated output, unweighted
93 dB at 2.828 V output, IHF A-weighted
84 dB at 2.828 V output, unweighted
# Input Impedance
33 k Ω
# Input Sensitivity
1 V in for 28.28 V out, THX standard
1.6 V for full rated output
# Inter-Channel Crosstalk
85 dB, 1 kHz
73 dB, 10 kHz
67 dB, 20 kHz
# Damping Factor
Over 150 at 20 Hz
Auto Turn On - DC
9 - 12V, 15 mA
# Auto Turn On - Audio
1.2 mV - 12 V, adjustable
15 minute turn off delay
# AC Power Requirement
110 - 120 V / 220 -240 V, 50 - 60 Hz
3 watts standby; 2500 watts full output
# Dimensions
17-1/4" Wide
18-1/2" Deep with connectors
7-5/8" High with feet, 7" panel only
437 x 470 x 193mm, 176mm panel only
# Net Weight
69 lbs., 31.4 kg

Now what I could gather from other people that posed this question a couple years back that for the price emotiva was better but you got better sound out of the parasound because it had a bigger Transformer Size and Secondary Capacitance, that being said I can't find out any of that info for the parasound to even confirm that. Once again for the price I will be able to get this at it will be roughly about the same price, this is for the older model not the v2 btw of the parasound. One thing that I do like over the XPA-5 is that fact it does have some balanced inputs which my onkyo does have...that being said these units will be right on top of each other and I know it won't be much of a sound difference, but I like the look of xlr cables...lol

Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

[Mike Ronesia]

I would grab the Parasound if it were me.

That said my XPA-5 is an excellent piece of gear and is more then I need and has a warranty.

 

[ougrad02]

I'd agree with Mike. If you get the Parasound and for some reason you don't like it you can always throw it on audiogon, sell it, and then get an xpa5 then. The xpa5 will be there in a month or so. It could potentially take you a bit to find another good deal on a Parasound.

 

[JaBear]

Yeah I knew I should have pulled the trigger yesterday Ultimate Electronic by me is going out of business and they had it for 900 as an open item. Someone else got in there a picked it up. I kinda thought the same thing I could always throw it on audiogon but I had some def tech given to me as a wedding gift and with UE going out of business the market is flooded with cheap ones make it impossible to move right now. Thought that might happen with the parasound too.

 

[tjf120]

The XPA-5 has balanced inputs, not that it may make a difference.

 

[PENG]

If you can keep your interconnects shorter than say 20 ft, go with the Parasound. It has more power reserve and not designed to be unnecesarily heavy.

 

[darien87]

If you can keep your interconnects shorter than say 20 ft, go with the Parasound. It has more power reserve and not designed to be unnecesarily heavy.

The Parasound's already gone.

 

[sharkman]

Yeah, when you see a deal like that you need to move fast.

 

[zumbo]

I would grab the Parasound if it were me.

That said my XPA-5 is an excellent piece of gear and is more then I need and has a warranty.

All that bashing towards me, and now this.

 

[oppman99]

The XPA-5 has balanced inputs, not that it may make a difference.

The XPA-5 has XLR inputs. They are not balanced.

 

[zumbo]

Pretty cheesy.

The XPA-5 has XLR inputs. They are not balanced.

 

[jostenmeat]

All that bashing towards me, and now this.

There is a difference between when a Mustang owner gives respect to a Corvette, and another when a Corvette owner tells the Mustang owner that his car is a pile of garbage.

Pretty cheesy.

Most consumer electronics that have XLRs are not balanced, or so I believe I have read here. It's probably different with pro amps and the like, since those usually are* used in situations with a lot of electrical noise over extremely* long runs.

 

[zumbo]

There is a difference between when a Mustang owner gives respect to a Corvette, and another when a Corvette owner tells the Mustang owner that his car is a pile of garbage.

Sorry, I didn't know the rules. Never actually said a Mustang was a piece of junk. I said it was an unfortunate coincidence that so many here recommended Mustangs to newbies.

Most consumer electronics that have XLRs are not balanced, or so I believe I have read here. It's probably different with pro amps and the like, since those usually are* used in situations with a lot of electrical noise over extremely* long runs.

This is the first thing that came right to mind. I mean, why put them there?
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s2000_black__u/?mode=model

 

[Mike Ronesia]

All that bashing towards me, and now this.

I'm not a fan of buying used but am a fan of a good deal and it sounded like a good deal. I'm sorry he missed out on it. Most of my speakers were bought used.

My issue with you on the other hand came from the fact that you bashed a product that I get the impression you have not tried. You put up a trash can implying Emotiva amps are junk and I feel that is wrong. It's not fair to the OP asking a question about a product you don't know enough about to comment on and it's not fair to Emotiva.

It seems you have a lot of good knowledge to share but my feeling is it would be respected more if you stuck to positive feedback about what you do know instead of negative feelings based on misconceptions.

Maybe I'm off base, but derailing a thread by talking "trash" helps no one and hurts you in the eyes of others.

But what do I know? I haven't had a date in 7 years.

Edit: I have never liked Mustangs and do trash talk about them when given the chance but only in good fun and never when someone is asking a serious question and looking for advice. Solid rear axle... Ha! Dressed up Pinto is all it is and not even dressed up good.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

We know Emotiva is made in China.

I've read that Parasound is also made in China.

Yet, Parasound seems to command a lot more respect than Emotiva.

Is it because Parasound measures better or because they look much better aesthetically or cost much more or what?

 

[zumbo]

I'm not a fan of buying used but am a fan of a good deal and it sounded like a good deal. I'm sorry he missed out on it. Most of my speakers were bought used.

My issue with you on the other hand came from the fact that you bashed a product that I get the impression you have not tried. You put up a trash can implying Emotiva amps are junk and I feel that is wrong. It's not fair to the OP asking a question about a product you don't know enough about to comment on and it's not fair to Emotiva.

It seems you have a lot of good knowledge to share but my feeling is it would be respected more if you stuck to positive feedback about what you do know instead of negative feelings based on misconceptions.

Maybe I'm off base, but derailing a thread by talking "trash" helps no one and hurts you in the eyes of others.

But what do I know? I haven't had a date in 7 years.

Edit: I have never liked Mustangs and do trash talk about them when given the chance but only in good fun and never when someone is asking a serious question and looking for advice. Solid rear axle... Ha! Dressed up Pinto is all it is and not even dressed up good.

So, you have owned a Mustang? Bashing it pretty hard. Kinda the same thing, no?

 

[Mike Ronesia]

So, you have owned a Mustang? Bashing it pretty hard. Kinda the same thing, no?

It was a joke and not in response to someones serious question in a thread they started on mustangs so no not the same thing at all. That is my point, I would never have put that in a thread where the OP was asking about mustangs. It would not have been appropriate. Maybe when you're a little older you will figure it out and kill that inner troll. I have hope for you.

 

[its phillip]

I have never liked Mustangs and do trash talk about them when given the chance but only in good fun and never when someone is asking a serious question and looking for advice. Solid rear axle... Ha! Dressed up Pinto is all it is and not even dressed up good.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1010_2011_2011_ford_mustang_gt_vs_2011_bmw_m3_comparison/index.html

Lap times:

 

[InTheIndustry]

We know Emotiva is made in China.

I've read that Parasound is also made in China.

Yet, Parasound seems to command a lot more respect than Emotiva.

Is it because Parasound measures better or because they look much better aesthetically or cost much more or what?

Not every Parasound piece is mfg overseas. However, the new New Classic line is. As are lots and lots of other things.

Parasound has been around many many years and has one of, if not the, most bullet proof names in audio. The name has been built over time by producing incredible products, true to their world class standards of realized performance and value. I don't know if you can find a legitimate bad word written about it.

Some of the biggest movie studios use Parasound amps to test their releases. If it's good enough for Lucasfilm, Universal, Warner Bros., Pixar, & many other production houses & directors.... It's good enough for me &, IMO, anyone else.

 

[zumbo]

It was a joke and not in response to someones serious question in a thread they started on mustangs so no not the same thing at all. That is my point, I would never have put that in a thread where the OP was asking about mustangs. It would not have been appropriate. Maybe when you're a little older you will figure it out and kill that inner troll. I have hope for you.

Ahh. The age thing again.

I have got to learn these rules about posting my opinion.