Parasound Owners Thread - Page 46

Originally Posted by Gugu_s 

Hi,

I just want to let everybody know, that after heaving problems with my Parasound C2 in and out for a year, thanks to Richard, and people from here, the Parasound service here replaced the plastic housing with the crimped connectors, and soldered the cables directly to the PSU, and everything is working fine now for the past few days. So remember, if anyone has problems with P7/C1/C2/etc. ( they all use the same PSU as far as I know, if it acts crazy, check the wires on the PSU connected with the plastic housing!!!!!

Thanks in advance,
Gustav

Originally Posted by Gugu_s 

Mine had problems like you were able to hear arc building sounds, clicks, etc sonit was definitely some power delivery/contact problems. These sounds are all gone now, because we soldered every wire directly to the PSU.

Originally Posted by 4DHD 

I would think that is exactly it. A small amp, say 100w is one thing. But 220, 250, 400w is something entirely different.

For all of the rest of my gear, I only use a surge protector. Years ago, just for curiosity, I picked up a middle range Monster conditioner from BB. And only b/c of the 30 day return policy. So for those 30 days I had that conditioner in/out of the circuit. And at NO time could I see/hear an improvement with the conditioner in the circuit.

I took it back after 30 days and got my money back. The guy asked why I was returning it, I told him it did not improve the audio or the video. He tells me, well it will still protect your gear from spikes. I told him I could do that with a $40 surge protector, so why would I want to spend $500.

Originally Posted by Gugu_s 

I've got another problem, maybe someone can help us out again.
With the Halo D3 or D200 DVD/SACD player, we are heaving problems playing newer made (produced ) discs, no matter if its original, or CD-R, if it was manufactured after around 2009, it wont play, or if it starts to play, it sometimes skips 30 seconds and has problems. If we put old discs into the unit, it just plays fine... :S we were able to check this with 2 units, and another original new one , right out of the box, and they all behave the same.

Originally Posted by Torqdog 

A few days ago some of us were discussing the benefits(?) of XLR vs RCA cables. I believe it was 4DHD that mentioned that in some instances they could actually cause a slight degradation in sound quality. With my recent addition of the Halo A-31 amp that allows XLR inputs from the C-2 controller and the fact that the Oppo BDP95 I have also has XLR outs, my curiosity got the best of me and I ordered up some cables from Blue Jeans just to see for myself. After hooking up the new cables and re-balancing speaker levels, my observations were as follows. But before that I first have to mention that the Oppo has both RCA and XLR outputs that both run off the improved audio circuitry utilizing 4 stacked SABRE32 Reference ES9018 from ESS Technology DACs for the dedicated stereo outs. With this configuration and the fact that I have the RCAs plugged into the 7.1 channel inputs on the C-2 as well as the XLRs plugged into the balnced inputs, it allowed me to do an A/B listening test as both the 7.1 RCA and XLR inputs are analog bypass on the C-2.

Listening to a whole host of what I consider to be excellent, clear and articulate recordings, I found that the XLRs slightly more edgy on my system. The low end seemed to be just a hair more defined but high frequency sounds like bells and cymbals were just a miniscule tad more edgy and ever so slightly less pronounced. The C-2 manual states that the s/n ratio is a full 9db higher(>107db) on the 7.1 inputs than the(>98db) analog(XLR) inputs so that could be a bit of what I'm hearing. Neither the XLRs or RCAs present any noise what-so-ever so any noise reduction gain realized by XLRs in my case is not an issue.

I had really hoped that these cables would give me another shot of audio improvement but to the contrary, with my setup I actually prefer the Blue-Jeans RCAs to the XLRs.

I have subsequently packaged them up and will be returning them on Monday.

Originally Posted by davee70 

That's interesting because the Parasound manual for my A51 states "We recommend that you plug your A 51 into the same AC wall outlet or power strip that powers your other audio components, especially the preamplifier or system controller. Having all the audio components on the same power circuit helps prevent hum caused by possible ground loops." And that's how my system is set up. I certainly don't find it wanting. But if you can get away with it without any hum, then why not? As for running two power conditioners in series, if I understood the post, I am doubtful. Certainly one should not connect surge protectors in series and most power conditioners include surge protection, or what would be the point? But you're saying the PS Audio can be run back to back? How is that?

Originally Posted by davee70 

Sorry you don't like the cables. Blue Jeans has a terrific return policy so you have nothing to loose by ordering from them. I use both the RCA and XLR stereo out on my BDP-95 to my P7 and I prefer the balanced connections. Both are Blue Jeans cables, BJC LC-1 and Belden 1800F.

EDIT: The Belden 1800F cable is nothing much to look at but it is a pro-quality cable that is widely used by professionals. The LC-1's are much more substantial owing to the extra shielding necessary when you only have a single ended output. Balanced cables don't need all that extra shielding, which is why the single ended cable market is what it is. Looney.

Originally Posted by Nima 

Are there any plans from Parasound to release a HD audio pre?

Originally Posted by Nima 

Are there any plans from Parasound to release a HD audio pre?

Originally Posted by exm 

They announced one a few years ago (C3?) but cancelled it later on... Seems that technology moves too fast for smaller companies to keep pace

Originally Posted by Nima 

Are there any plans from Parasound to release a HD audio pre?

Originally Posted by mookie b 

Any issues stacking A23s on top of each other?...they'll be running surround sides and rears...

Originally Posted by 4DHD 

Use some kinda spacers, to raise the one on top. which is what I do with multiple components on one shelf. I've got my P7 sitting on top of my HK avr, using 1 1/4" tall plastic jar caps, and my Marantz TT sitting on top of the P7. Could also use 4 hockey pucks.

Originally Posted by runnin' 

It might not be necessary to space them depending on the speaker load and volume levels. You could run them for an hour and see how warm to the touch they are, if they are too warm to the touch, then space them out.

Originally Posted by mookie b 

Getting a pair of black A23s for surrounds to support my mcintosh mc205. This will be my first halo amp. I ordered an a52 last week that was DOA. Hopefully these new ones will power up!

Originally Posted by Torqdog 

Personally, I'm partial to the silver Halos. It might have something to do with the fact that the Halo A-31 I recently purchased replaced an HCA1205 that was black. Maybe after looking at that black amp for 12 years I was ready for a change.