• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Parasound Zonemaster 2350 Class D Power Amplifier with ICEpower 700ASC2

SEKLEM

Active Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
275
Likes
326
Location
Indiana
I’ve not had much to post recently since moving and just now starting to get settled. But the delights of having more space has been a driving force into research for more power and after weighing options and lying in wait for a smoking deal I believe I may have found exactly what I wanted.

Parasound Zonemaster 2350

CF13FA17-00B0-435C-B9D6-13517BAB1995.jpeg


The Zonemaster 2350 isn’t particularly handsome with a rather “system integration” aesthetic, but that is the target market. It’s almost the same size as the Niles SI-275, another system integration amplifier, I keep as a backup. The Parasound is a bit lighter than the Niles since it has no transformer or heavy heatsinking.

I’d read the 2350 sported some type of high power ICEpower module. Parasound’s published material would only say that it was a “premium class D amplifier stage”. In the search for class D amplifiers I arrived at ICEpower because they appear to be reliable and appear to use better parts in the manufacture of their modules, which lends to the longevity of their devices.

I’m a creature of habit, and I habitually hunt and wait for bargains. I keep saved searches and check them regularly. The Parasound popped up at a price I could live with and appeared to near new. Worst case if it turned out the info I’d read was incorrect I could at least recoup my investment.

Upon receiving the 2350 I popped the top and had a look around. To my joy, under the heatsink I was able to locate the model of the module, ICEpower 700ASC2, yippee! At the time of the ICEpower 700ASC2s introduction it was their most powerful integrated 2 channel amplifier board. I believe the 1200ASC2 now holds that position.

The 700ASC2 module is purported to be capable of delivering 350 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 700 into 4 ohms. These are Parasound HCA-3500 type numbers, and that amp weighed 88 lbs and required two separate 20 amp circuits to run at full power! Oh yeah, that’s more power than I’ll ever need.

A8E05754-CE0F-4DF0-ACC7-5F5852EF4587.jpeg


The black square you see in the front right of the chassis is the heatsink that was affixed to the 700ASC2 module. I didn’t bother to photograph while I had the top off, although perhaps I should have. It was very difficult to see under the heatsink and I may not have been able to get a good shot of the module in any case. If anyone wants me to take pictures with the cover off, let me know.

BAF9513A-7FA8-4B32-94F6-F7D41DEAB069.jpeg


On the business end there’s a bevy of useful features for numerous applications. The 2350 can serve as a subwoofer amplifier, has high pass filters, high and low level inputs, sub preout, loop output, 12v trigger with loop output, and A&B output. While the feature set is sure to curl audiophile toes, it’s doubtful the features do any real harm to overall quality.

I’ve been playing it for a few hours now and I’ve pushed it harder than the B&K Reference 125.2 S2 that usually resides in the setup. The Vandersteen 2CE Sigs definitely have more to offer dynamically with the 2350. I’ll continue listening over the week and if anything stands out I’ll comment on it, but so far it sounds like any other competent amplifier I’ve used, just with more power.

Edit: title changed
 
Last edited:

pozz

Слава Україні
Forum Donor
Editor
Joined
May 21, 2019
Messages
4,036
Likes
6,825
I'd like to see some pictures with the top off.:)
 

Matias

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jan 1, 2019
Messages
5,029
Likes
10,794
Location
São Paulo, Brazil
ICEpower now calls this module 700AS2, just renamed them. It is the same used in PS Audio Stellar M700, except PS Audio uses mono version (700AS1) and its proprietary buffer before the module. Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE also uses this stereo module.

700AS - 1 channel driven.

700AS2.JPG
 
Last edited:

Ron Texas

Master Contributor
Joined
Jun 10, 2018
Messages
6,074
Likes
8,906
Wyred for sound uses an input stage to provide additional gain. The Parasound requires 2V to hit maximum power which is on the high side for an amplifier which only has unbalanced inputs. While a typical 2V unbalanced output of a DAC would seem like enough, the digital volume control will be so high that there is not enough headroom.
 
OP
SEKLEM

SEKLEM

Active Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
275
Likes
326
Location
Indiana
Wyred for sound uses an input stage to provide additional gain. The Parasound requires 2V to hit maximum power which is on the high side for an amplifier which only has unbalanced inputs. While a typical 2V unbalanced output of a DAC would seem like enough, the digital volume control will be so high that there is not enough headroom.

I have an Adcom GTP-602 whose specs indicate 5v max output unbalanced, does this help mitigate that?
 

Ron Texas

Master Contributor
Joined
Jun 10, 2018
Messages
6,074
Likes
8,906
I have an Adcom GTP-602 whose specs indicate 5v max output unbalanced, does this help mitigate that?

That should knock the ball out of the park.
 
OP
SEKLEM

SEKLEM

Active Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
275
Likes
326
Location
Indiana
I'd like to see some pictures with the top off.:)

Top cover off. Black plate is a aluminum and secured to the heatsinks of the ICEpower 700ASC2 board with thermal paste coupling them to add to the radiating surface. The plate also aids the prevention of dust buildup on the board.


636AB315-76B2-41B1-935F-C04A04C114B9.jpeg


This was the best shot I got of the model of the board.

ACFFAD99-2F5D-401C-9DEA-215B64B91694.jpeg


ICEpower 700ASC2 2 channel amplifier with built in power supply

DA54C350-5033-4BB9-A10D-7256C95D0A55.jpeg


Bonus shots
 

Attachments

  • 2939DA21-B0F2-46FD-9082-66F18BB5BF70.jpeg
    2939DA21-B0F2-46FD-9082-66F18BB5BF70.jpeg
    885 KB · Views: 463
  • B4E1D892-893F-48DD-A808-C82350C66BE2.jpeg
    B4E1D892-893F-48DD-A808-C82350C66BE2.jpeg
    505.9 KB · Views: 322
  • 98B8FBC3-614D-419A-86DB-547A60F2371B.jpeg
    98B8FBC3-614D-419A-86DB-547A60F2371B.jpeg
    488.4 KB · Views: 333
  • 2B43465D-5ACC-48C8-912A-8E587C53D11B.jpeg
    2B43465D-5ACC-48C8-912A-8E587C53D11B.jpeg
    580.6 KB · Views: 303
OP
SEKLEM

SEKLEM

Active Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
275
Likes
326
Location
Indiana
That should knock the ball out of the park.

I probably shouldn’t try it. Using a receiver as a pre/pro and I can reach uncomfortable levels of output with the Vandersteens. I don’t think they can handle all the amp is capable of.
 
OP
SEKLEM

SEKLEM

Active Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
275
Likes
326
Location
Indiana
That should knock the ball out of the park.

At about 10:30 last night I was listening to the Interstellar OST. It had been a while since I listened to it and forgot how loud it can get. The Adcom doesn't show signs of struggle. The speakers are undoubtedly the limiting factor in output now.
 
OP
SEKLEM

SEKLEM

Active Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
275
Likes
326
Location
Indiana
Sorry to span comments about this over the course of a month or so. I wanted to add a couple observations after reading @VintageFlanker's review of the ICEpower based Apollon AS1200 amplifier.

1. The Parasound 2350 gets a little warm to the touch after being on for a while, regardless of whether idle or under load. The difference in warmth is imperceptible to touch. A thermometer reading would likely tell a different story.

2. The 2350 makes no audible noises while operating other than a series of relay clicks when it comes out of standby. Light hiss from speakers (Vandersteen 2Ce Sigs 86 dB, 1 meter with 2.83 volt input). Some of that hiss could be due to the Yamaha RX-V659 that I'm using as a pre/pro.
 

GeorgeWalk

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2019
Messages
469
Likes
791
I have the Parasound 200 Pre and 275 v2 amp. I like them They drive my Klipsch bookshelf speaker with more than enough power and I think they sound great.
 
OP
SEKLEM

SEKLEM

Active Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
275
Likes
326
Location
Indiana
I have the Parasound 200 Pre and 275 v2 amp. I like them They drive my Klipsch bookshelf speaker with more than enough power and I think they sound great.

I’d like to get a Parasound 2100 preamp for the bypass feature. The voltage needed to take the Parasound to full power isn't available from the Yamaha RX-659.
 
OP
SEKLEM

SEKLEM

Active Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
275
Likes
326
Location
Indiana
Wyred for sound uses an input stage to provide additional gain. The Parasound requires 2V to hit maximum power which is on the high side for an amplifier which only has unbalanced inputs. While a typical 2V unbalanced output of a DAC would seem like enough, the digital volume control will be so high that there is not enough headroom.

The manufacturer specs for input sensitivity

2 Volts = Full output (350 Watts @ 8 Ω)
Total gain = 29 dB (Level controls set to Maximum)

What do you mean the digital volume control will be so high that there is not enough headroom?
 

Ron Texas

Master Contributor
Joined
Jun 10, 2018
Messages
6,074
Likes
8,906
The manufacturer specs for input sensitivity

2 Volts = Full output (350 Watts @ 8 Ω)
Total gain = 29 dB (Level controls set to Maximum)

What do you mean the digital volume control will be so high that there is not enough headroom?
It means if you are using 3db of positive EQ at some frequency you lose that much in maximum volume without clipping. Someone else might be able to explain it better.
 

Zanollo

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2022
Messages
8
Likes
0
My apologies for posting to this old thread.
But I am considering either Parasound NewClassic 2125 v.2 or Parasound ZoneMaster 2350 for a 4 speaker (two room) setup together with a Bluesound streamer.
From what I gather is that the 2125 is a AB THX amp, and the 2350 is a D an not THX?
 
Top Bottom