Parasound NewClassic 2125v2

[luckybaer]

I needed an inexpensive 2-channel amplifier for a secondary system. I wanted to stay with Class A/B. Originally ordered Schiit Vidar, but after 6 weeks, got tired of waiting - especially when no ETA could be provided.

Ordered a Parasound NewClassic 2125v2, and, as luck would have it, it was on sale for $599 including FedEx shipping.

I have it installed now, and it is playing music to burn-in/break-in/warm-up. Time will tell if it punches above its price or if I “got what I paid for.”

[Kenwood KD-2070+Parks Audio Puffin | Nakamichi DR-2 | Marantz CD5003] -> Khozmo Passive Preamp -> Parasound 2125v2 -> Polk Audi RT25i + Klipsch R-110SW

Interconnects are BJC Belden 1505
Speaker Wire is AudioQuest Type 4 w/Bananas, terminated by Audio Advisor’s experts.

 

[luckybaer]

Initial impressions: Sounds really nice with the Polk Audio RT25i speakers. Out of curiosity, I plugged my Dynaudio Evoke 10 speakers into the “B” plugs and tried listening. Did not like what I heard. I unplugged them and put them back with my Rotel RB-1582 MkII.

I will have to keep pushing music through this amp for the next few days. Eventually, I’ll try connecting the Evoke 10 again - this time without the other speaker pair connected. Not sure that would make a difference...

 

[opnly bafld]

If the other pair is switched off, no difference.

 

[luckybaer]

If the other pair is switched off, no difference.

Makes sense. I don’t intend to use the Evoke 10 with this amp, but I wanted to see how speakers known for being “power hungry” would sound with the 2125v2.

I’ll try again at some point in the near future. My Polks are not overly bright sounding, but they are brighter and more forward in the treble than the Evoke 10. Perhaps switching back and forth just exacerbated the differences in presentation - kinda like diving into an icy pond and then quickly jumping into a non-heated swimming pool. The swimming pool feels SOOO warm. Haha...

 

[luckybaer]

I tried the 2125v2 with the Evoke 10 again, and was happy to find that the combination sounded very nice.

The only thing I did differently was make sure the Evoke 10 were the only pair connected to the amp. The last time, my RT25i were connected to the “A” bindings, and the Evoke 10 were on the “B” bindings.

I made sure I did not run both speakers simultaneously the first time, but the Evoke 10 sounded dull and lifeless. There are some settings I need to review if I were to ever connect two different pairs again, but since that’s not the plan, I’m not worried.

I like this amp, and I’ll post further impressions as I get more listening in.