Parasound Owners Thread - Page 8

I have a quesiton, I am looking at using Parasound Halo 21 2.1 amp with my Def Tec 7001 main speakers and Parasound Halo A51 5.1 amp for my C/L/R 2002 center and 4 BPVX surrounds. Anyone using these amps with Definitive Tecnology Speakers? I auditioned the amps today (more detailed than the Anthem amps I also checked out) but did not have access to Def Tec speakers. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hello,
Your proposed amplifier combo A21/A51 is absolutely excellent and will have no problems driving your Definitive Technology Speakers.

The A51 is one of the best 5 channel amplifiers on the market. There are many professional reviews out there backing up that assertion.

If you are budget conscious the Parasound HCA-2205AT is virtually identical. The only differences are XLR's, slightly larger transformer (2kVA vs 2.2 kVA) and slightly more capacitance (150,000 vs 164,000).

They both use the same number (8) of bipolar output transistors per channel.
The same 60 amp per channel rating. And were both designed by John Curl.

While the A51 sells for 4000 Dollars, the HCA-2205 can be found under 1500 Dollars used. I demoed a A51 to compare to my 2205 AT and really could not tell much of a difference at all. The A51 has a far more attractive Industrial Design. However, internally, they are unbelievably similar.
Cheers,
AD

has anyone compared the Parasound Halo JC2 preamp with any of the Sim preamps like the P7?

very interesting, thanks for your input.

Before I purchased my Halo A51 I was very curious about the design and sound-quality (and build quality) of the HCA-series product. I assumed it did'nt yield as "refined" sound-quality as the Halo-series. I noticed that they were also designed by John Curl. Never had the opportunity to actually see any product up-close in-person........I wonder if the part quality is equal though (component-for-component)? Are they using different series of part No.'s?

I have a question for Parasound Halo owners, I have a dilemma and since you own the Parasound equipment I thought I would ask your opinion.

Here is my quandary; as I mentioned in another post, I have two main speakers; Definitive Technology 7001SC's (each speaker has a dedicated 1,500 watt amp to power an enclosed subwoofer), an un powered 2002 Def tec center, two large unpowered Def Tec rear surrounds and two front height ambient speakers. I am thinking about buying the A51 to run my mains, center, and rear surrounds and buying an A23 to power the front height ambient speakers because they do not need nearly as much power as everything else and the sonic information going to those speakers is very minimal.

My other option is to buy the A51 to power my center, the two rear surrounds and the two front height ambient speakers and to then buy an A21 for my mains. The problem with this option is it is more money than I want to spend. My main question is this; is option #2 overkill (250 watts for the two front height ambient speakers which will never use a 10th of the power the A51 is putting out).

I also need to know if there will be much of a sonic difference between the A51 and the A21 when I am just using the amp for TWO channels? Those who own the A51; how do you like the sound of your A51 when you are just playing two channels?

Why did you buy your A23 since you have the A51? Is your A23 also doing "light duty"?

Another question; for those who have the A51 and A23, how do you like the overall sound of your set up? How do the amps sound together, any down side?

I am thinking about buying the ONKYO 5507 pre-pro when it comes out, does anyone own the Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro? How does it sound with the Parasound amps, especially when using it to output in 2 channel stereo?

Thank you for your helpful advice in advance.

option 1 is the way to go!! more than adequate. another option would be 2 use 2 or 3 a23's (400wpc as monoblocks) and an a52 which would save even more cash... the onkyo prepro will be great if you are running hdmi sources only, its downfall is analog.

cheers!

Option 1 does sound really nice. If I had had the cash I would have gone with an A21 for my mains and an A52 for the rest.

I do dual duty with 2-channel though and may be biased towards a dedicated amp for my mains.

(A52 + A23 + Quad L series = happiness)
((What is a front height ambient speaker?))

I have had A51 for many years running Monitor Audio Gold Reference 5.1, just bought A23 for 7.1. If I had known I would go 7.1 I would have got A21 for mains and A53 for all the others. Much cheaper and these amps are so powerful, I don't reallu need 250w for centre or surrounds. Have not set up the 7.1 system yet.

Jmouse007: if you speakers require 125W amps then the A23 are fine. If they need up to 250W, go for the A21. But it sounds the A23 should be more than sufficient.

I would still prefer 250W per/chan as opposed to 125W per/chan, more dynamic. Which Gold Reference models are you using?

I posted this on a seperate thread, I guess it belongs here.

My hometheater and music system is integrated and I want to move to a better preamp just for music which accounts for 60% in my case. I have read several reviews on two Parasound units that seem to be very possitive, the Halo JC 2 stereo unit and the P7-7.1 pre amp. Now, I understand the differences between the two units feature wise, the P7 has a bypass feature which makes it ideal for music and movies but I wonder if it's worth it to instead get the JC 2 stereo prea amp because of its sound quality and if there's a way to make it work in a hometheater set up maybe using its stereo rec-out output to make it compatible for movies, of coarse that would require volume balancing, etc.

Maybe someone has been lucky enough to listen to both units or have a work-around similar to what I'm propposing and provide some input?
__________________

I have the GR60s for the mains, GRC centre, GR10 for surrounds (back) and just added the Gold dipoles for the sides. Still have not set the sides up yet, waiting for some stands etc. probably don't need 7.1 but thought life is short, can't do any harm

I see. I'm running essentially a similiar set-up only using GS60's, GSLCR center, and Energy RC-R rear's.

I think the A51 @250W per/chan is a perfect power-match with the front mains (GR60's and GS60's).

It's interesting to compare specs for both speaker models:
[A] Gold Reference: GR 60

Flagship of the range is the GR60, a no compromise full bandwidth design and engineering tour de force. Two RST® bass units and one RST® mid-range unit work into three separate cavities tuned to differential frequency points, resulting in exceptional power, linearity and grip. The GR60 brings lifelike scale, power, dynamics and realism to music and film.

Specification:

Frequency
Response: +/- 3dB 28Hz-30KHZ
Sensitivity: (1W@1M) 90dB
Nominal Impedance: (Ohms) 6
Power Handling: RMS (W) 200
Drive Unit Complement: 2 x 6.5" RST® bass
1 x 6.5" RST® mid
1 x 1" (25mm) Gold Dome
C-CAM® tweeter
Bass Alignment: Triple chamber differentially tuned sealed mid-section reflex bass sections
External Dimensions: cm approx. 106Hx20Wx33D
Weight: @approx 28Kg

[b] Gold Signature: GS 60

The elegantly proportioned GS60 embodies all the conviction and integrity of Monitor Audio design. Its thirty year heritage is eloquently expressed by a compelling unity of cutting-edge innovation and aesthetic creativity bringing life-like power, dynamics and realism to music and film. Like all models in the Gold Signature range, the flagship GS60 is a monument to the cabinet-maker’s art. Immaculate real wood or piano gloss finishes are blended with a slender, contemporary design and superb attention to detail, investing the GS60 with an air of resolute quality.

Specification

Frequency Response: 28Hz - 43KHz
Sensitivity (1W@1M). dB: 90
Nominal Impedance. Ohms: 6
Maximum S.P.L (Per pair in room). dBA: 112.5
Power Handling (R.M.S). Watts: 200
Recommended amplifier requirements (R.M.S). Watts: 60 - 200
Bass Alignment: Sealed Mid-Range Enclosure. Dual Chamber Bass Reflex with Differential Tuning (HiVe II Technology)
Tweeter Crossover Frequency. KHz: 2.7
Bass Crossover Frequency. Hz: 150
Drive unit Complement: 2 x 6 ½” RST® II bass driver 1 x 6” RST® II mid driver 1x 1” (25mm) gold dome C-CAM® tweeter
External Dimensions - Excluding Plinth.
mm (inches): 1060 H x 206 W x 330 D
(41 3/4 H x 8 1/8 W x 13 D)
External dimensions -
Including Plinth.
mm (inches): 1070H x 322W x 403D
(42 1/8H x 12 11/16W x 15 7/8 D)
Weight (each) Including Plinth: 27.1Kg / 59.7lb

I bought my GRs over 5 years ago, so I think the GS replaced the GRs. The new dipole sides I bought were the GS dipoles.

The A51 matches well with the GR60s, probably overkill for the Center and GR10 backs.

What are you using as your processor? I currently have the C2.

I'm in the same boat with you. I would like to have a separate pre-amp with 2 channel bypass and just change the AVR as changes in technology is very quick. It is cheaper to replace the AVR than replacing an expensive surround processor. So, I plan to get the JC2 since they are coming with the bypass feature and stay with it for about at least 5-7 years and stay with my pio elite for the home theater purposes and just change it as the nees arises.

I guess an A21 (250W X 2) plus A52 (125 X 5) would be the ideal combination.

But my hopes are (after winning the lottery) to one day have a full-range 5.1 set-up (full-range speakers all the way around), all in a nice new open space. I would love to have PL300 fronts, PLC350 center, PL200 rears.


I'm currently using an NAD T175, it's pretty decent sounding for music as well as movie surround sources.

I'm considering switching to the up-coming Denon AVP-CIX combined with a Parasound P7 pre-amp.

How do you like your C2? In particularly for music?

I really like my C2 for movies and music. It is getting a bit dated, have thought of upgrading but have spent so much lately. Unfortunately over the last 5 years it has been in the shop 4 times (once not its fault). That Denon AVP-CIX looks really good and well priced. I may look into that to match with my Halo amps. - Just found a comment from another thread, the AVP-CIX may now only be out next summer:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...php?p=17284946

yeah, just read this dreaded news today-- too bad. There goes that idea.

I was avoiding the popular Onkyo Pro PR-SC886P/integra DHC 9.9 unit's. The new Anthem AVM50V looks good, still dealing with issues/bugs, a little pricey. The Arcam AV888 looks intriguing, reading about bugs, a little pricey. The M15HD looks good on paper, a little pricey, NAD product (still needs to be proven).

I like the "new' movement: re-packaging existing, current, receiver products into pre-pro's at decent pricing ($2500.00 and less)

I was not aware that the JC2 had a bypass for hometheater, are you sure about this?

what sort of problems/failures did your C2 exhibit? Have you had any issues with your Halo amps?

I had an exchange of email with Mr. Richard Schramm, president of the parasound regarding the HT bypass feature of the JC2. The HT bypass is a new feature that will be added according to him. It will mostly likely be implemented come November 09. So if you plan to buy the JC2, be sure to ask if they have the ht bypass.

This is the reply to me by Mr. Schramm,

That is great news, All I need is a full range speaker bypass, I wonder what route they will go here.

Considering the cheaper 2100 will play full range, while in HT bypass, I would think the JC2 would do the same.

I would interested in the opinons of anyone that owns or has heard a P7 . I need a pre-amp for my A51 amp. I currently use my HT receiver for analog stereo. Is the P7 going to have as good 2-channel sound as a JC2? If Parasound does not come out soon with JC2 with by-pass or the new C3 isnt out soon and has good analog sound I will have to buy elsewhere. I read in one review comparing the P7 to a Marantz 8003 on analog sound where the top end of the marantz was better. I find that hard to believe.

Me, too.

http://stereophile.com/musicintherou...34/index1.html

I am just wondering how many of you who have heard either of these units, find you agree with the following statements:

Impressed as I was with the Parasound Halo, I found the Marantz moved one step farther toward neutrality, with a bit more definition in the treble, though it sacrifices the Parasound's enchanting musicality. Some of that feeling of neutrality also may come from the very slightly lighter bass presentation of the Marantz. It would be hard to prove which is right, but in any event, we're talking about very small differences. And we're talking about very good performance.

With these CDs the Parasound occasionally emphasized the leading edge of treble sounds. You might say the P7 sounded a little brighter than neutral, but really the overall treble level didn't rise. Instead, only the first part of S sounds and the initial ping of cymbals being struck was emphasized. In contrast, the mbl, Audio Research, and the Marantz all tended to sound as detailed as the P7, yet somewhat smoother, when reproducing these same sounds.

BOTTOM LINE, Parasound Halo P7:
A well-made affordable and luscious-sounding preamp that is close to, but not quite the last word in, treble purity.

BOTTOM LINE, Marantz AV8003:
Viewed simply as a preamp this controller is close to state-of-the-art; considering that you also get a full multi-channel decoder and Audyssey processor it is almost ideal for a mixed music and theater system.

Of course, such observations and conclusions are system-specific.

Buying a MC pre (i.e. Parasound P7) means running lots and lot of RCA cables for 5.1 sound.

That's what I do, but I have no experience with either the P7 pre, or the 8003 pre-pro. After a lot (and I do mean a lot) of thought and reading, I bought a used Bel Canto Pre6, which is something you might consider trying.

OTOH, it may well be easier (and less risky than buying used on Audiogon) to buy the P7 from www.audioadvisor.com as an open-box/demo/factory-refurb. They all come with full warranty when purchased from AA. And you get 30 days to try it, and won't have to feel bad if you return it to AA, but it will likely cost you shipping. The factory refurb is the least costly. Call AA up and ask them to call you up when they get one in.

Just some thoughts/ideas.

Cheers

I know it is a very old model but does anyone know of any reviews or know the specifications of the HCA-1203A? There seems to be conflicting information concerning the size of the power transformer and the capacitance of this model as the manual states 1Kva and 60,000uF where as the specs on the website show maybe 1.5Kva and 90,000uF. Anyone know for sure or checked the insides or anything. The information on the web on this amp seems pretty scarce. I even emailed Parasound support and they didn't know the specs because they didn't have one around anymore. Thanks very much for any help.