Parasound PSP-1500THX A/V Preamplifier
Parasound PSP-1500THX A/V Preamplifier
USER REVIEWS
[Feb 27, 2004]
rl8139
AudioPhile
Strength:
Detail, features, adjustments.
Weakness:
Gets warm after long period of use This a really nice sounding pre amp with a lot of detail. You can hear every detail of instruments and differentiate between instruments played at the same pitch. Dont know what the problem is with the previous reviewer. Never have any problems with my unit which I have used daily for over a year. I dont play it so loud that all the circuits start to clip which will damage your tweeters. |
[Feb 13, 2004]
blantto
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Pretty good sound when working properly
Weakness:
Not at all reliable, I feel for those who paid even 1/4 the full retail price. A 200 dollar radio shack reciever is better buy than this trash heap. Just want to update my previous review. This damn thing keeps locking up..at loud volumes, yeah I can reset it by unplugging it for a while, but I am waiting for one of my speakers to blow during one of its "lock ups". Still think the sound is good when working, but not worth the reliability issues. I am going to go with the Outlaw 950 processor, this thing simply isn't worth it. Similar Products Used: Can't afford anything else, but almost saved enough for the Outlaw 950, I hope its as good as the reviews. |
[Mar 07, 2003]
Mark
AudioPhile
Strength:
suppose THX certification, but it is comming to mean nothing. Does have decent amount of inputs.
Weakness:
Almost everything, its weaknesses more then destroy any strenghts sadly. I build cinemas (35mm film), and home cinemas. Anyway, the sales guys decided on one of these Parasound's, or as we have come to know them, paralyzed-sound, So far 3 units have been returned due to locking up (2 units) and one went up in smoke. All 3 from the same site. The menu's are a complete joke, very basic, nothing more then level setting and delay, not even a 3 band equalizer. The manual's are wrong, late manual additions are everywhere. It is imcompatable with pal when using the on screen display, has some rather odd artifacts. I'd strongly suggest staying away from this, and all Parasound products. I have a pile of dead parasound gear from mates who have wanted me to fix it. They love using capacitors rated at 52 volts at 60 volts. Rule of thumb for capacitors is never go past 80% of their voltage rating, especially when running at an elevated temperature. BAD engineering/production. Similar Products Used: Meridian, sony, Lexicon |
[Nov 05, 1997]
Alan Murray
an Audio Enthusiast
A very nice pre-amp. I've had mine for about 4 months now with no complaints.Some strong points: *no* crosstalk between channels, easy to set up/use, |
[Mar 30, 2000]
Ron
Casual Listener
After reading all of the reviews on here I was amazed by all the lock ups that just a simple "unplugging and re-plugging" solved. This has never happened to me. I guess I should consider myself lucky. However, I have had to ship it back to Parasound numorous times because of an overload problem. Each time they said the unit had an open resister in it. The last time it was repaired they told me that I should not have to send it back anymore because they found that two pieces in the unit (a resister and something else, I can't recall what) were switched since the day it was built. I have not had a problem yet, but it has not been too long since the repair either. Another weakness, as mentioned by others, is that darn remote volume control. It is very annoying trying to get the sensor in the unit to pick up the signal that the remote is sending. As with the other reviewer, I was given the same response from Parasound on this issue-it is just how it is. Also I would have liked to see the unit with a volume knob (like the Parasound AVC-2500) instead of those two buttons. The humming noise that the unit produces (mentioned by other reviewers) is easily fixed with an inexpensive part which is placed in your cable/TV line. The fix is explained in the unit's manual. Other than those weaknesses it is a fine unit. |
[Mar 07, 2000]
Bink
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Looks great and is built like a tank, Stereo and DD processing are excellent, minimalist on-screen display
Weakness:
No learning remote I purchased the PSP-1500 and PDD-1550 1 year used in excellent shape, and have been nothing but happy with them since the purchase. These were of fairly recent vintage, so I have not experienced any lock-up issues. |
[Dec 31, 2001]
Brad
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Ease of use, preamp direct mode, clean sound. Upgraded power cord and use dedicated outlet and have never experienced lockups of any sort
Weakness:
IR strength or lack of. Very happy with this unit. Great sound. |
[Feb 04, 1998]
Bruce
an Audio Enthusiast
I purchased the P/SP 1500 around 5 months ago and I am very pleased. I found the prologic and ac3 seperation to be excellent.(compared to my high end pioneer receiver) I have had no problems with this unit. I run it about 6 hours per day and have had lock ups or other problems. |
[Jun 07, 1998]
David Garbacz
an Audiophile
parasound 1500 w/ digital decodera definite improvemnet on my old onkyo 919. excellent sound but annoying hum fro m ground loop. Have tried all factory suggested tweeks but no improvement. Their amps are great but I am not too happy with the buzz/humm. |
[May 04, 1998]
David B.
an Audio Enthusiast
All I have to say about the Parasound PSP-1500 Pre-Amp is that pieceof gear was junk. I bought that piece about 15 to 16 months ago and all |