Benchmark AHB2 vs Parasound A21+ ?? Driving Klipsch Cornwall IV

[mcgjohn]

for the klipsch, I would certainly be looking at toobe power. Maybe even SET toobe power. The klipsch do not show their magic very well with sand power (SS), they come alive when driven by the little glass bottles.

 

[Frank Sol]

@joecoulson

@prighello

Of the two... And not having heard either with Cornwall IV

I would pick the Parasound also for the Klipsch

 

[wyn palmer]

Can't lose either way as both are overkill, but which one is biased more heavily into class A? That's the one I'd think might sound best of those two.

The AHB2 is not biased into class A in the sense you mean. It's a feedforward/feedback nested design with extremely low distortion, and very neutral sounding.
If you like even harmonic warmth and high levels of interaction between speaker, cables and supplies go with the Pass designs.

 

[joecoulson]

for the klipsch, I would certainly be looking at toobe power. Maybe even SET toobe power. The klipsch do not show their magic very well with sand power (SS), they come alive when driven by the little glass bottles.

Nope
You have not heard them with quality class A SS.

 

[Morgan D]

Nope
You have not heard them with quality class A SS.

That's why I wan't both.

 

[Vintagear]

@Frank Sol, AHB2 hands down.
I have first hand experience with both the Parasound A23 (not 21) and the AHB2 in my home. The Parasound was...meh.

 

[Vintagear]

And all the guys that are selling or have sold their AHB2 say the same about them.

They may like colorations. In comparison to the AHB2, the A23 sounded dull, diffused and homogenous to me.

 

[wyn palmer]

And all the guys that are selling or have sold their AHB2 say the same about them.

Oddly enough I bought my first AHB2 from someone who definitely thought it was meh. I added a second unit and use them in dual mono.
It just so happens that he lives a few miles from me, and we have subsequently become good friends. To his ears the dual AHB2s in my system are a revelation, and he attributes it to having been a single stereo unit versus dual mono.

 

[joecoulson]

They may like colorations. In comparison to the AHB2, the A23 sounded dull, diffused and homogenous to me.

I have heard this about the non “+” versions
But I do know the A21+ has much better low level performance. Meaning that first 6 watts. Critical with the CW’s

 

[joecoulson]

Oddly enough I bought my first AHB2 from someone who definitely thought it was meh. I added a second unit and use them in dual mono.
It just so happens that he lives a few miles from me, and we have subsequently become good friends. To his ears the dual AHB2s in my system are a revelation, and he attributes it to having been a single stereo unit versus dual mono.

And this was Stereophile’s conclusion when comparing the A21+ and the AHB2. That head to head the A21+ won but when the AHB2 was used as a monoblock, the pair beat the A21+
But for some reason they didn’t compare a pair of A21+’s to the pair of AHB2’s?

 

[joecoulson]

But I will conclude that both are most likely at the top of the food chain in that price bracket.

 

[Vintagear]

But I will conclude that both are most likely at the top of the food chain in that price bracket.

...and beyond

 

[Danddd]

If I was to replace my McCormack DNA 0.5, I'd go Benchmark hands down. It seems to be a well executed design. Absolute Sound gave it an excellent review. Even, do I dare say it, ASR likes it....

 

[Superampman]

Interestingly, the AHB2 is coming up for sale quite regularly with the same "best I've ever heard accolade" ,almost parroted, and no reason why they're selling..hmm. Something's up there. Why I decided not to scoop one up.
OTOH the A21+ is rarely seen. Lots of Parasound everything but not the A21+.

 

[Frank Sol]

.

Or... a pair of Outlaw 2220 mono blocks ( But is not recognized as Audiophile )

I wonder how many times the 2220 gets overlooked just because of its make/brand ?

I dont believe I've ever read a bad review of the 2220 or its predecessor 2200

 

[Frank Sol]

@Superampman

I'm guessing the answer is... Poor mating with the Speakers

Like all pairings some folks wont like the AHB2 with certain Speakers/Designs

 

[Superampman]

Who knows. It doesn't explain the "best I've ever heard comment", though. Mind you that line is not in the 4 ads presently in CAM and USAudiomart. None of them mention synergy. There's also an A21+ in USAudio. All of these amps are virtually new. Could be synergy. My guess is they don't better what these guys already have. Having said that they aren't over priced. "Best I've ever heard" level of sq was made a long time ago imo. Probably a tube amp. Audio Research D-150 comes to mind.

 

[wyn palmer]

At 90W into 8 ohms in the stereo mode it's pretty underpowered for many systems. That was my issue with it. I'd often have the clip indicators flashing as I like to listen at realistic levels, but at essentially 4x that as dual mono that has never been an issue, and there's an ineffable sense of ease that seemed to be lacking before.

 

[Morgan D]

At 90W into 8 ohms in the stereo mode it's pretty underpowered for many systems. That was my issue with it. I'd often have the clip indicators flashing as I like to listen at realistic levels, but at essentially 4x that as dual mono that has never been an issue, and there's an ineffable sense of ease that seemed to be lacking before.

Above 90db?

 

[wyn palmer]

Above 90db?

Average about 85-87, peaks in the upper 90s to low 100s.. The loudness that I hear (and measure) at symphony performances in my preferred seating position.