+Bass grip. +First 15 watts are so smooth due to the class A. +Very versatile. Smooth class A watts for low to moderate volume 2-channel listening. 350 class ab watts for home theater explosion. +Crisp, spacious highs. +Excellent stereo image. +Awesome dynamics.

-There are smoother amplifiers out there in the high frequencies. I'm not saying this isn't a smooth amplifier; it is. But offerings from Arcam and Musical Fidelity are slightly smoother in the high frequency ranges. But this amplifier has aspects that trump similarly priced offerings from those companies... not really a negative, more a sonic character. -This amplifier has very low WAF. It is huge, heavy, and runs pretty hot. It won't fit on many cheapo consumer audio racks. First, it needs more air flow around the massive heatsinks and above the unit than many provide. Second, it is very deep (20") and very heavy (close to 100lbs). Don't even think about putting it in some enclosed cabinet from Best Buy. That said, there's something about having a giant amplifier with industrial heatsinking and handles that has some appeal.

An honest 350w amplifier by a respectable audio company? Under $1,500 used? First 15 watts pure Class A? Wow. If you can find these on the used market, go for it. I did and I've been very pleased. This is a very versatile amplifier. It has double binding posts for bi-wiring, XLR and RCA inputs, and is a true dual mono design (each amplifier side has its own power cord). Enough of the spec, you say, how does it sound? Well, I run full range towers tuned to 30hz and was in the need of some serious bass grip. The Parasound HCA-3500 delivered in spades and beat out everything else I was considering. Rotel, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Onkyo Integra, Hypex, you name it... The Stereophile review directed me to this amplifier as the reviewer said this amplifier delivered more bass grip than Rotel's flagship amplifier, the 1090. Boy were they right. Deep bass, tight bass, controlled bass. This control extends up to the highest frequencies. In fact, control might be the one word I could use to describe this amplifier. No matter what I've thrown at it, it responds flawlessly and with authority. It adds very little sonic character of its own. Are there higher-fi offerings out there? Yes. Not at this price range. I heartily recommend giving this amplifier a listen if you seek class a sound with loads of power to back it up, if necessary.

Customer Service

None needed. Unit works flawlessly and is built like a tank.

Similar Products Used:

Hypex UCD 400 Based Amplifier Onkyo Integra M-504 Musical Fidelity A3.5 Rotel RB-1080

Clear midrange and highs A lot of power Extremly good control of the woofers, much better in every way than the Rotel 1090 even if Stereophile didnt think so. I believe they did not spend 200 hours to brake it in before testing. 36 kg heavy

Very long, difficult to find room for it. 36 kg heavy Does not have Krell or ML label

The first amp that managed to drive my superdifficult Infinity Kappa 9.2i without problems. (The speakers are 4ohms but dips to less than 1 ohm at the worst) Clear super sound after 2-300 hours of break in period. Very very good control of the woofers, tight with great slam ! Never trouble even when pushing hard for many hours.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 1090, Carver X 760a, Vincent 991, NAD 218

bi-wired ready and strong sense of open soundstage and detail.

power comsumption 1amp at idle for each channel.

I purchase this amplifier more thn two years and it has got incrediable soudn stage very detailed and open because I have revolution reference XLR cable from preamp to the amp using lab cables for ac line on both monoblocks that makes it alive realistic not stale. I listen to jazz,classical hard rock,country,blue and I can not see why anybody frowns on HCA-3500 amplifier? I hope they are not using crappy sony audio gear on it then that would explain everything!!!! Only amp I might replace it with is a Mctinosch model 352 the amp is a little warner in sound but it is a little better in the bass a fuller and tight bass.

Similar Products Used:

mctinosch 352

If the site of muscle cars makes you adjust your trousers, than the looks of this baby will make your heart pound for its visceral big block proportions. It's mucho- big.

Best kept in the center of your room to help establish male bounding. Don't.......I repeat, Don't turn it on! A open exhaust throaty V8 sounds better.

I originally listened to this amp as part of my campagne to move up the audio food-chain. I thought at the time that at its prospective price, it represented good value based on its size and build quality.Further auditions over the course of one month left me hungry for something better. It is a massive sounding amplifier but one that is harsh and rather dry sounding. The soundstage is as flat as a pancake and most timbres are rendered thin and mechanical. I came away thinking that at best, this amp would be a good subwoofer amp but never a vehicle to transport anyone to sonic nirvana. This amp was not in the same league as the krell or creek for that matter. Even rotel could throw down the sabre and claim victory. Hence, if bass supports your need for wood than save dosh and buy the biggest,baddest subwoofer you can find. You will most likely find a support group of Parasounder's nearby.

Similar Products Used:

No genotype available. See muscl&fitness

Detail, bass and soundstage.

Doesn''t say Krell on front.

Assuming that you are using a quality amp I believed amps had little sound of their own. Now after listening to a Carver, and owning Hafler and this Parasound in my system, my point of view has changed. The Carver was truly awful. The quality of the Parasound is smooth and refined. Bass is tighter and the sound is cleaner. This is really in reference to the Hafler XL600 I used for years. Also the 3500 has a blacker background. The soundstage has gotten bigger. These are things that are noticeable and I wouldn''t have believed it someone told me. I listened for days before I''d assess any sound characteristics for sure but they were obvious early on. I am more than pleased as I didn''t expect so much improvement. The build quality is excellent too.

Similar Products Used:

Hafler XL 600, Hafler XL 280, Carver TFM 15.

A lot of amplifier for the money.

Doesn`t like to operate at 4 ohm or lower loads.Sound lacks transparency and detail even at normal listening levels.

Last year my brother was looking for an amp that could deliver kick-ass performance,but not at the expense of musicality.I had seen and heard the HCA 3500 at the Montreal audio show last March 1999 and was impressed by what I saw.The price was also interesting considering the power available.I gave the brochure to my bro and he finally got his hands on one in early july to audition in his home.We had already auditionned other amps including a pair of VTL monoblocks to compare with his amp.We both had high expectations for the HCA 3350,I mean just look at the specs:1.4KV power supply,98,000 microfarad capacitance.And that`s per channel!At higher volume driving into his new CELESTION A3`s (4 ohm nominal) it didn`t quite cut it.But let me point out that this amp is no slouch,just compared to his amp it wasn`t better.The HCA 3500 is in my humble opinion a mid-fi product,albeit a good mid-fi product.So bro sold me his amp and bought the latest upgrade (very slight upgrade) of the same,wich by the way costs about the same as the HCA3500.The specs are a little less impressive but are still eye (ear) opening: 1.2KV power supply,80,000 microfarad capacitance per channel.But as bro and I found out,specs aren`t the whole story.We found out why when we opened the top covers of both amps side by side.It`s evident that the HCA3500`s parts are of inferior quality.Again,I`m not badmouthing the HCA3500,it`s an honest observation that anyone can verify.To have a true hi-fi product with those specs you`ll have to pay at least a grand more (US$).Boy,I can see a lot of readers jumpin`in their seats,wether of anticipation or of rage I don`t know and don`t care,`cause I call `em as I see (hear) `em.That mystery amp I`ve been comparing with,wich I bought from bro,is the CELESTE 4250SE from SIMAUDIO.Now them critters are really hoppin`,but I says:"Down boy down,dang!"Just get your hands on a 4250SE,do the comparo and you`ll see,er,hear.That`s why I can only give the HCA3500 a three star rating.

Similar Products Used:

To be honest I can`t say I`ve used a similar product,because I`m usually into higher end hi-fi.

Build quality, tons of power, warm sounding.

Very long. Will not fit in a regular rack. My rack is 22" deep and it still barely fits!

Right out of the box it was impressive. Should get smoother as it breaks in. Overall sounds smooth and detailed. Very fast with excellent control over the drivers. Very tight powerful bass.

I took the top cover off. It is very impressive. Huge transformer, huge filter caps, 16 output transisters per channel. The face is 1/2" thick. It has handles on the front and back, this is helpful since it weighs almost 100 lbs.

I will write another more detailed review after it breaks in.

Similar Products Used:

HCA-1500, Hafler, Dynaco, Carver

very clear detail open soundstage

none

When I first heard Parasound model HCA-3500 with wadis cdplayer and wadis preamp then took the amp home for demo on
my ps audio preamp model IV w/monster interconnet cables very high pitch "harsh" and no bass then used transparences cables "$325.00 a apair" a bit more bass but not good enough then a used Alpha Sterling with discreet shielding by synergistic Research ..WOW.. what a change I got a deep
rich tight bass not boomy and high end was very smooth clear crisp open sound stage "not harsh".Sounds like a realistic sound there was a lot of music a was missing for long time didd not know it even at high or low volume levels
.if you doubt the quality of sound ,please check out different interconnect cables to fine tune your system you will be surprised it makes a difference.!
equipment used: ps audio preamp IV,thorens mk126 III turntable,nakimichi dragon,teac X-10R open reel "10.5 reel",rotel 940 tuner,time windows mdel 1a,3's ,tributaries interconnect cables w/ yamaha cd player, parasound HCA-3500
amplifier w/alpha sterling w/discreet shielding..sound fanastics...I highly recommend parasound amp.HCA-3500

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macintosh 352 amp,ambers series 70,sonic frontiers monoblock "tube".

First Up my system:
Theta Basic II CD Transport
Tara Decade XLR interconnect
Parasound 2000 DAC
Kimber Hero XLR Interconnect
Parasound PLD2000 Pre-amp
Tributaires SCA200 XLR Interconnect
Parasound HCA3500
10 swg Bi-wire monster speaker cables
Legacy Focus Speakers
Dedicated 20amp circuit to breaker box


First of all, people should realise that this amp is HEAVY ...close on 100lbs. Next it's long. The length could be a real problem if you want to mount it in a standard audio rack. It's 18 inches plus the gap needed for the speaker and interconnect cables - maybe another 6-9 inches. I had to cut a hole in my wall for the cable to route out without putting a sharp bend in them. Also the amp requires two power sockets...seperate power supplies in this design.

Build quality is top notch, heavy duty construction inside and out, with a very high standard of finish. It is 19" rack mountable, but I dread to think what the load would be on the rack if anyone actually did this, mind you the faceplate is easily thick enough to take the strain.

Next, heat...This amp gets very hot. It's set to go into thermal overload at 95 deg. C. At moderate volumes there is a LOT of heat being dissipated. I guess this is the cost of being class A up to 15W. So make sure you are able to provide plenty of ventilation.

Power...huge amounts. The bass from the Legacy's punches you in the chest at high volumes. I managed to destroy 3 speaker coils by doing the 'lets see what this baby will do' trick. I've grown up a lot since then !

Midrange is very detailed with a broad soundstage. My speakers are probably too far apart at about 11 feet, but female vocals sound very clear, rich and distinct. John Armatrading, Sade, Gloria Estafan all sound glorious. Piano is clear and crisp, I'm hearing a lot of the sustain . Orchestral is very detailed and involving.

In buying this amp I wanted huge power without compromising detail, this amp delivers in spades.

Smooth

Heavy

This amp is extremely smooth. I think the first thing I noticed is that my ears aren't getting fatigue listening to it. It's not harsh to the ear. I've listened to more expensive amps and this fits my budget and musical taste just fine. Jazz lovers will appreciate this amp. While jazz can be abrasive, this amp chills it out. I'm listening to with a SunFire Theater Grand preamp, Denon DVD 5000 and Celestion A3's. ....and for surrounds, I'm using the Rotel 1095b 200x5. In summary, the musical side of this amp is great.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel, Sunfire, Onkyo-Integra