Used parasound silver a31 vs new emotiva xpa 3 gen 3 power amp

[airrace]

So how did this A31/Klipsch system end up sounding?

 

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[perryleros]

On 5/28/2022 at 10:43 AM, airrace said:

So how did this A31/Klipsch system end up sounding?

 

$$

 

I have a similar system rf7 iii and a rc64iii for center.

Used to run them with an Emotiva BasX A3, then switched to the XPA-3 Gen 3 and really liked the XPA. 

Sometimes when watching movies really loud around reference levels the high frequencies were piercing and could seem harsh after a while. (even though audyssey rolls off the highs).

 

Sold the XPA-3 and got a Parasound A31.

Initially I felt it sounded less detailed, kinda muffled compared to the detailed and thinner sounding Emotiva.

After a few hours of listening I realized the Parasound has a much much better grip on the speakers and you notice it in the bass. 

It's really punchy and significantly improved. Also listening really loud there is no fatigue at all.

In general the sound is thicker and more pronounced in the bass/mid bass with smoother highs. Perfect match for the klipsch.

 

After weeks of usage I can tell for sure the Parasound was worth it over the Emotiva XPA-3 for my setup.

Even better for 2ch music.

I don't need to enable the subwoofer anymore, just run the RF7 iii full range for 2ch as it is really punchy and there is low bass enough for music with this amp.