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Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version?

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iron_general

Hello all!
It seems that some Parasound HCA-2200s (the original version, not the MK II version) are becoming available on the used market lately. Has anyone had the chance to listen to the two models? Are there any significant differences between the two amps...would I be better served by waiting for a MK II unit to become available?
Thanks in advance!
Irongen

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Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? - john curl 19:13:02 03/02/02 (6)
Unless you are very handy with a soldering iron, I would wait for the MK2, HC2200.
- Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? - Irongen 23:17:36 03/02/02 (5)
  Hi John,
  Can you elaborate on this? What would I have to upgrade to make a Mark I to Mark II status?
  - Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? - john curl 01:07:41 03/03/02 (4)
    It would be best to not have an IC in front of the amp. The MK2 does not have an IC at the input of the amp. Still, you could experiement with IC's, and maybe you could find one that you liked.
    - Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? - Irongen 09:27:34 03/03/02 (3)
      Hi John,
      So what you're saying is to remove the ICs at the inputs completely? Hmm...could you possibly point me to a diagram of the 2200 Mk I showing this section of the circuit? I'd like to see what exactly is involved before whipping out ye olde soldering iron.
      On a side note, let me ask this: on a scale of 1-100, where the Mk II 2200 equals 100, where would the Mk I version fall on this scale without modifications, and where would it rank after having the ICs removed, assuming they were not replaced? I might be willing to live with something that was an 80 or 90 if I thought the work would be a little more involved than what I'm comfortable dealing with.
      Thanks again!
      - Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? - john curl 13:38:51 03/03/02 (2)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? posted by Irongen on March 03, 2002 at 09:27:34:
        
        You can bypass the input IC, by removing it and running a shielded lead from the input RCA (use another RCA connector and connecting the hot lead to pin 6 on the minidip IC socket of the IC that you just removed. If this is confusing, then don't bother, but buy it and enjoy it as is. Another, easier change is to put another quality dual IC in the place of the AD712 that is in there. You can ask about what might be better on this website.
        For the record, even the HCA-2200 mk 1 is a pretty good power amp, but the IC was added to make it possible to have a balanced input if you wanted it. The IC unfortunately is a limitation in an all discrete design, and we ran into trouble with it at 'Stereophile'. They previewed the product, and decided not to 'review' it, beause it wasn't ready. I then caught hell for leaving the IC in front of the amp, when it appeared to compromise the sound. At the time, it was the best IC that I could find, and my friend had designed it. Well, for the redesign, I went to a discrete fet follower to make it possible to run it balanced, and we still use that technique today. I got criticized for that by some bozo at 'The Audio Critic' because I DIDN'T use an IC. Go figure! Well, the MK2, HCA2200 got a good review in 'Stereophile' years ago, and it is still a pretty good amp. At the moment, My MK1 2200 is on loan to Brian Cheney, and he won't give it back easily. It apparently makes a good backup, when he needs it. My MK2 2200 is in Jack Bybee's hi fi, and he won't give it back easily either.
        
        Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? - adnut 03:51:00 03/04/02 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? posted by john curl on March 03, 2002 at 13:38:50:
        
        Is Mr. Bozo at TAC by any chance to be Peter A.... ?
        
        Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? - john curl 11:06:16 03/04/02 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Differences between the Parasound HCA-2200 and the Mk II version? posted by adnut on March 04, 2002 at 03:51:00:
        
        No, the other one.

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