joecoulson
CUPBOARD BROKER
Not me. Just the 23+ vs 21+
Parasound Fan thread
- Thread starter joecoulson
- Start date
The one big difference that I noticed when comparing them was that the A21+ has a dead black silent background and more low end grunt. Notable improvements are the signal to noise ratio, the THD (distortion) is halved, and crosstalk is improved. The hefty weight difference when lifting them is readily apparent and likely due to the larger transformer (and thicker heat sinks...maybe).
Excerpt taken from the Parasound website:
Changes from the original A 21→A 21+
Excerpt taken from the Parasound website:
Changes from the original A 21→A 21+
- 250 → 300 Watts (8Ω)
- 400 → 500 Watts (4Ω)
- 750 → 1000 Watts (bridged)
- Filter cap: 88,000 uF → 108,000 uF
- S/N: 112dB → 115 dB
- THD (at full power): 0.2% → 0.1%
- Crosstalk (20kHz): 63dB → 70dB
- Transformer size: 1.2 kVA → 1.3 kVA
- Weight: 60 LB → 71 LB
- Refined Halo cosmetic with aluminum end caps & gold highlights
- Updated rear panel with heavy duty speaker terminals from JC 5
- Upgraded internal gold on gold audio connections
- Updated auto turn on circuit
thanks for the info. Looking back I wasn't clear. I'm interested in the SQ of the older vs the +
The "SQ" of the A21+ is better than the older model mainly due to the aforementioned dead black silent background and more low end grunt. It is slightly on the warm side, which is excellent if you have bright speakers, but if you have very dark speakers it could be too warm, in which case the comparably priced line of PS Audio amps (M700) might sound better as they are much brighter (too bright for me).
The P8 sounds interesting....
https://positive-feedback.com/indus...-line-and-a-sneak-peek-to-pacific-audio-fest/
"Eagle-eyed journalists will get to see a passive prototype of a new preamplifier which is scheduled to replace the Parasound Halo P 6 preamp next year. Since its 2018 debut, the Halo P 6 has been celebrated for accuracy, low noise, useful mixture of analog XLR, line-level, and digital connections, and for its unmatched 2.1-channel analog bass-management system as well as validating our value-engineering audio solutions. The forthcoming Halo P 8 will include a 2.2-channel preamp and DAC. It will have more digital inputs, a new volume control with a dedicated power supply, and full stereo subwoofer capabilities with variable XLR and line outputs. In addition, the new remote control will allow users to adjust the audio controls, including subwoofer level."
I like what I'm reading on this placard:
https://positive-feedback.com/indus...-line-and-a-sneak-peek-to-pacific-audio-fest/
"Eagle-eyed journalists will get to see a passive prototype of a new preamplifier which is scheduled to replace the Parasound Halo P 6 preamp next year. Since its 2018 debut, the Halo P 6 has been celebrated for accuracy, low noise, useful mixture of analog XLR, line-level, and digital connections, and for its unmatched 2.1-channel analog bass-management system as well as validating our value-engineering audio solutions. The forthcoming Halo P 8 will include a 2.2-channel preamp and DAC. It will have more digital inputs, a new volume control with a dedicated power supply, and full stereo subwoofer capabilities with variable XLR and line outputs. In addition, the new remote control will allow users to adjust the audio controls, including subwoofer level."
I like what I'm reading on this placard:
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joecoulson
CUPBOARD BROKER
Definitely cool. If I was to upgrade though, I think I would move up the line. Like a JC2
While the JC2 sounds marvelous, it is a bit too outdated for me... it doesn't have a subwoofer output, and no digital inputs. Plus it cost way too much for something that lacks those features.
runnin'
Super Member
I think the JC2 is for those who don't need or want a sub, because their speakers do bass with enough authority for them. Then there is the audiophile design, like the isolation, the discrete circuitry, the walling off of the power supply. It takes "do no harm to the signal" to ridiculous levels. People with separate dacs, and i do have a few of those. I'd buy one if my speakers were something like Tekton Double Impacts.
I'm not holding my breath waiting for the new P8 preamp after the horrible earthquake that just hit Taiwan- it looks like quite a bit of their infrastructure was damaged:
joecoulson
CUPBOARD BROKER
Wow! That’s horrible
Just had a 7.5 on the western coast of Mexico - no damage reports yet, but that is a whopper...
runnin'
Super Member
I had been playing my Hint with a Rotel CD player since I got it and just connected a new Bifrost 2/64(?) tonight. Wow, what a difference, at least with the XLR outputs of the Bifrost. Bass was amazing, and the imaging was better than the Rotel. Synergy is great with the pair.
I'm also getting great synergy with a pair of Pioneer BS-22, a Schitt Jotunheim 2 as pre and a big ole Adcom pushing 125 wpc. And the latest gen Modi Multibit. I'm kind of shocked the Pioneers sound this good, they were in storage for months.
I'm also getting great synergy with a pair of Pioneer BS-22, a Schitt Jotunheim 2 as pre and a big ole Adcom pushing 125 wpc. And the latest gen Modi Multibit. I'm kind of shocked the Pioneers sound this good, they were in storage for months.
runnin'
Super Member
I'm not familiar with the C2, but it looks like a great unit. My experience with the Hint above with the Bifrost has been eye opening. I thought that the SQ I was getting previously was as good as it would get with the Hint/Rotel cd player. When the SQ increased significantly with the Bifrost, I was taken aback, because it revealed, a) that the Rotel, a 800 player could be bested, and b) that the HInt was being held back by the Rotel!
The detail with the Bifrost reveals depth, something I wasn't even getting with the Rotel. The whole soundstage has improved and reinforced my impressions that the HInt is not warm sounding, but neutral. Or very close to neutral. The Kef Q750 I also thought were on the warm side, but with the Rocket 44 Audioquest speaker cables. there is more presence of highs. The Hint is better than I first thought.
The detail with the Bifrost reveals depth, something I wasn't even getting with the Rotel. The whole soundstage has improved and reinforced my impressions that the HInt is not warm sounding, but neutral. Or very close to neutral. The Kef Q750 I also thought were on the warm side, but with the Rocket 44 Audioquest speaker cables. there is more presence of highs. The Hint is better than I first thought.
Running an older HD-1100 DAC. It’s just lovely and warm I can’t imagine another DAC sounding better. Also running a JC3+ JR phono pre. It’s magical with my Schiit and Rogue pre/amp combo.
I used to have a 2125v2 amp and 2100classic. They were very good bits of gear, although the phono on the 2100 didn’t impress me much. The 2125 was a great amp and I’m always eyeing the A21+.
I used to have a 2125v2 amp and 2100classic. They were very good bits of gear, although the phono on the 2100 didn’t impress me much. The 2125 was a great amp and I’m always eyeing the A21+.
I too have the superb little JC3+ Jr phono preamp playing a Rega P3 with Exact cartridge...who knew vinyl could sound that good...
Go Giants
Super Member
Old thread, but I'll try here. Just received my new Parasound 200 preamp.
Sounds fine on phono...once I flip to mm...duh...silly me.
This preamp doesn't seem to work well with Marantz SA 8005. Only getting one channel.
I've tried a couple of other cd players...a very old Marantz and a Krell Universal DVD player...both sound fine.
Am I missing something here with the SA 8005 and the Parasound 200 combo?
This seems like a very decent pre...especially for the money, but I'd love to make it work with the Marantz SA 8005.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Sounds fine on phono...once I flip to mm...duh...silly me.
This preamp doesn't seem to work well with Marantz SA 8005. Only getting one channel.
I've tried a couple of other cd players...a very old Marantz and a Krell Universal DVD player...both sound fine.
Am I missing something here with the SA 8005 and the Parasound 200 combo?
This seems like a very decent pre...especially for the money, but I'd love to make it work with the Marantz SA 8005.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Check your cables...I don't know how many times a glitch was the fault of a bad cable (usually the ends pulling loose from the internal wiring due too many disconnects). I have the 200 Pre and it is pretty nice. I especially like the adjustable tone /subwoofer controls via the remote).
joecoulson
CUPBOARD BROKER
Swap inputs from the pre and make sure it’s isolated to the one output.
