Parasound Owners Thread - Page 2

What does "almost fully featured" mean? It implies that something is being left out? What Audyssey features are not being implemented?

It will be interesting to see what the C3 is like. I finally got tired of waiting for an HDMI capable processor and bought the Integra DHC 9.9. I liked it so much, I sold my C2.

If Parasound adds Audyssey, this will certainly be a nice unit. I wonder what price range they are looking at? Whatever it is, I hope they don't promise upgradeability as a selling point....like they did with the C1 and C2. Not really upgreadeable when you consider HDMI and new HD audio codecs.

I did keep my HALO amps and still love'em.

Will Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume will be implemented in the Parasound units?

Also, the Sound Equalizer has twice the filter resolution for both satellites (32x v 16x) and subwoofer (256x v 128x). Are you saying that the Parasound implementation will achieve the same filter resolution as the Sound Equalizer?

Wow! That will make this one VERY impressive unit.

Pricing Parasound amps:
thinking of selling my 2125 2ch 125w amp.. Can someone PM me as to what to ask for when I sell it? Looking at Emotiva XPA-2 ..Driving Paradigm Monitor 11's.. thanks in advance..

The new units sound like they could be really excellent, if Parasound doesn't make some unfortunate decisions that limit the functionality. If you talk to Richard again, perhaps you could pass on some suggestions? Here are a few:

1. The Audyssey implementation should include a choice of target curves, at least between flat and Audyssey standard (to accommodate both damped, treated home theaters and more lively standard living spaces).

2. Think seriously about adding Audyssey Dynamic EQ and maybe Dynamic Volume. Also, given the target audience, I would strongly suggest Audyssey Pro capability.

3. Don't have "large" and "small" speakers - just allow bass management to be on or off, preferably by speaker pair. And if there's a mode like Onkyo's double bass, include the low-pass filter frequency the sub channel is using in the setup menu.

4. Incorporate some simple, robust means of updating firmware. lt will be needed. It will also allow updating of Audyssey firmware, as it evolves to include more functionality, for an additional cost. I am sure the owners of these products will really appreciate that (brand loyalty big time). I would suggest a USB port would be the easiest. Just download the new firmware to a memory stick, plug it in, and update. Very easy for the user. One thing more - it also would be pretty cool to be able to store your settings on a memory stick, update the firmware, then restore the settings. Most f/w updates now wipe all your settings and it can be a real pain to do them all again.

Implemented properly, with solid analog and digital engineering, these units could be category standouts, like the Oppos. Of course, that would also take some serious commitment to customer service, which I don't know about in Parasound's case.

Seems like this thread has gone dark.

Any thoughts or comments on what fyzziks mention/suggested?

Any update to the HDP70? I am very interested in this, I currently have the AVC2500u.

People are really missing the boat when they overlook the Parasound/Halo product line. I started out with the PSP/PSD 1500 along with the 5 channel Parasound amp that I can not recall what model right now, still have the amp and looking forward to the HDP70.

I've been using an NAD T175 paired with Parasound Halo A51, great combination. Movie soundtracks (SD-DVD & BD) sound exceptionally good with Audyssey invoked, very clean and dynamic. 2ch analog OUT CD playback is very clean via "analog bypass" mode. 2ch and 5.1ch SACD and DVD-A titles sound absolutley beautiful.

I can't imagine how the C3 would sound............

Is it too early to ask what the difference will be between the Halo C3 and the New classic HDP70 besides the balanced XLR inputs and outputs?

Hi, I'm new here. I am Parasound owner, though!

I used to have a TDQ1600 tuner and PLD1100 preamp in my main system. Both were excellent and reliable components, I never tired of them. I sold them to make way for a planned surround system.

My mother, after years of singing in a band, wanted a better home stereo - and wanted it to fit into a funky bit of furniture. She's been delighted with the Zpre2/Zamp v.3/Ztuner system I set her up with.

I have been using a Zamp v.3 in my office for a couple years, running directly out of the souncard. The sound is crap - but that's not the fault of the Zamp! It sounded great driven by the variable output of my old Denon CD player. If only there was a Zdac, I might not be replacing the Zamp with a Peachtree Audio Decco. (If you're interested in buying a Zamp v.3 that's been serviced once, let me know!)

In my current main system, Marantz AV8003/Parasound 2250/Polk LSi15 combo will be performing beautifully as soon as I get it set up (I just moved! I hate it when all my gear is in a pile of boxes.). Yes, it's a 2-channel audio & video system - I may go to surround someday, but the return on investment is way better for me in stereo. The Marantz is a real winner if used simply as a stereo DAC and preamp, and it allows me to integrate all the switching and scaling necessary for video. I'm seriously considering picking up a pair of Era Design 14's to replace the Polks. The 2250 is a fine performer, with a lot of headroom and control, but I might upgrade to something more refined.

By the way, I've seen questions in a number of threads about the differences between the Halo and New Classic amps. There are 3 big ones:
1. Casework. Obviously, the Halos look sexier.
2. Components. The Halos use upgraded parts pretty much throughout.
3. Bias. The Halos produce more Class A power before kicking into Class AB operation - the big external heatsinks on the Halos are necessary for this reason. The New Classic line is biased lower to run much cooler, which makes a big difference when you build them into a packed equipment rack! Otherwise, the circuits of amps like the A51 and 2250 are much alike. In sonic terms, the New Classics are very well rounded with an emphasis on dynamics and control; but the Halos have noticeably more subtlety, finesse, and musicality.

Balanced operation might also make a difference, depending on your system.

so you get what you paid for in this case?


I'm very intrigued to try a balanced pre-amp/processor. Well, at least some sort of balanced 2ch pre-amp section for playing music sources.

Also would'nt mind trying a P7

Pretty much! I really don't think there's a loser in the lineup.


An old friend of mine gave me excellent advice about balanced components & connections. He said to use balanced connections between balanced components, but use them between single-ended components only if long runs or noise are concerns.

In my experience, that holds up well. If you take a couple of single-ended components with balanced sockets (the Marantz AV8003 & MM8003 are good examples), you won't hear much of a difference between balanced and single-ended connections in most situations - occasionally you'll find some sound worse through the balanced connections (do you really want to run your signal through an unnecessary phase splitter & combiner?)!

On the other hand, balanced connections between fully balanced components (the Marantz SC11S1 & SM11S1 or Parasound JC2 & JC1 are fun) really bring out the best that these designs can usually deliver - very low noise floor, microdynamics, texture and tone, etc.

In a more perfect world, we'd have nothing but balanced audio - at affordable prices!

Sorry for rambling!

this is my understanding as well.


interesting. So these newer Marantz components are not truly balanced (only XLR connectors)?


this is what I hope to try out one day. I'm using a Paraosund Halo A51, it is balanced. I would like to experiment with a balanced pre-amp, at least for 2ch.

P3/A23/T3 user...

Z-phono on another system...

Have my eyes on the P7/A52

New to Parasound and love it. Picked up a 7100/5125 in silver from audioadvisors when they did the combo deal at the end of 2008. Wound up adding a 2250 to the setup and absolutely love it. Would love to graduate to the Halo line, maybe in a couple of years, but this is my first step in the separates world.

Parasound Halo A51 and A23 owner here and I love them. Can't wait for the C3 to come out so I can replace my Onkyo 885.

Can anyone recommend a 5-7 shelf audio rack that will fit the A51? It has to be at least 24-25 inches deep.

I made my own rack for my A51 since I couldn't find anything that was both deep and sturdy enough. If you're open to going the DIY route, google "flexy rack" or "flexi rack" for a fairly easy project that is infinitely customizable.

Have a pair of Parasound amps , an HCA-1500A and an HCA-1203A. Bought them years ago to drive my HT system. Have had zero problems, and sound great. I have no plans to replace them.

I just bought a 7.1 pre/pro. I can't currently fit the back speakers. But I've toyed with scrounging a used HCA-1000 just in case I decide I want to at some point.

I used to own the HCA2205/1000 combo... Now I have the Halo A51/A23. I'm using the A23 (1000) for my 100W rear speakers. No need for a A21!

I have a Halo A51 amplifier that unfortunately has gotten some scratch marks on the front panel, does anyone know where I might get ahold of a used front panel and power button?

Thanks,
David

Hello,

Does anyone know of anyplace that still has the VC5.1 bass management card for the AVC-2500's? I called Parasound but they don't make them anymore and have none in stock...

Thanks.

Howdy peeps, new Halo A21 owner here. I bought it almost simultanously with a set of Paradigm Studio 60s (it's an all-Para setup ) and needless to say it sounds fantastic. However, I'm getting some serious groundloop buzz whenever the tv is turned on. I know the optimal way to eliminate this would probably be to plug the tv into an outlet from a separate circuit. But that may not be possible. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I could do about this? I was thinking maybe try and ground the tv to something besides the power outlet it shares with the other components (a Monster HTS1600 Power Center) by using a cheater plug and separate grounding wire? Would that work, and to what could I possibly connect the ground wire?

Or I suppose I could just never watch tv, which wouldn't be a bad thing ...

I had something similar and I discoverer that unplugging the coax cable from my cablevision box solved the problem. I routed my coax cable through my Monster 3500mkii Power Center to solve the problem, so you my want to look into something similar that accepts coax.