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Bryston vs Parasound

mfm22

mfm22

Active Member
Trying to narrow search down. Came up with these
Parasound A21. Or. Bryston 4B ST.

Using with Magnepans .7's.
Bryston used around $1400 , may have more power into 4 ohms

Parasound A21 around $ 1100- $1400 used

Not sure how much difference in sound? But there seems to be mixed opinions on sound quality :scratch2:
 
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I own two Parasound amps, two Parasound preamps, and two Parasound DACs. All of them have been excellent values. They are my favorite go-to brand. John Curl-designed amps are very good. I would like to have an A21. I find their amps to be very neutral in character.

As to Bryston, they are also a good brand. Some will tell you that they are a bit brighter than a Parasound, I am not convinced that is true.

The A21 was reviewed by Jonathan Valin of The Absolute Sound and he found it to be excellent for its $2000 list price. His summation stated, "What the A 21 is is a very fine amplifier at an exceptionally fair price—more lifelike, I think, than much of its more expensive Class D competition. Bottom line: I could not only recommend the A 21 enthusiastically to audiophiles on a budget (what a combo it would make with the Maggie 1.6QRs!), but could live with it myself—in a system that costs fifty times what it does."
 
I'm leaning to parasound - owning an a23 & happy with it
may need more power for maggie's ? may not !
the a21 new is around $ 2500 retail may get discounted to 2k `~ still $$
 
Bryston better. But ParaSound makes great gear for their price. I love both companies here. I think Bryston makes sense for your speakers. And their warranty and support is of the finest in the business.
 
Bryston- new is just too much $$ used is possible - hard to buy used & be confident with product
 
Consider the length of the warranty on it. And if original owner and Bryston agree, the remaining 20 year warranty should be transferable.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Consider the length of the warranty on it. And if original owner and Bryston agree, the remaining 20 year warranty should be transferable.
Click to expand...

The 20 year warranty is transferrable. They repaired a used 7B that had a bad diode on it if I sent it in one of their boxes.
Hard to go wrong with Bryston amps, they sound good and are fairly bulletproof.
 
This is for my 2nd set up
Just set up the mag .7s with a parasound A23 Sounds good ... Very good!
I can see that they like power .

I'll try the Cronos down the road - need to change to 4ohm first.

I wonder how true is the "watts are Watts " tubes vs SS I wouldn't want to run the .7s with less than the A23 200 or 225 W into 4 ohms
 
I was eyeing the Maggie .7's myself, did you have a chance to A/B them with the MMGs?

Thinking either .7's or the Super MMGs as a possible speaker purchase. :scratch2:

I currently have the MG-IIIa's but they are on the side lines until my youngest moves out and I get my man cave back.
 
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