Parasound Products - Thoughts?

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
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Another show and another great performance by the Parasound JC1 monos and the associated Parasound preamp. At RMAF, the JC1's rocked out the amazing Joseph Audio Perl 3's, producing one of the best sounding rooms. Ditto at CES on the KEF Blade 2's. The same Blade 2's didn't sound half as good with another amp. I've asked around and a lot of folks in the industry, own Parasound products themselves.

Why no love for this brand? Too inexpensive? Been around too long? Would love to hear from current or previous Parasound owners.


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I thought it sounded really great too Mike. Same with last year. Both times they were using a sub 600 dollar DAC and a MacBook as a source.


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The amp lineup is getting age on it so I wonder if it's holding people back thinking that it may be replaced soon


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bthomas9 said:
The amp lineup is getting age on it so I wonder if it's holding people back thinking that it may be replaced soon


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I talked to the owner of Parasound about this and he said him and Jonathan Curl daily, but they refuse to bring something out just to bring it out, unless it's truly better - and they're not there yet.
 
To me, Parasound is a good pre-amp / amp manufacturer.

If somebody is looking for a BS-free workhorse that's reliable, easy to audition, easy to service, and delivers consistently solid performance, then Parasound gear is pretty easy to recommend.
 
I've owned a couple of their amps including the JC1s and they sounded better than many many amps I had in my room at the same time. I was using the JC1s as my sub amps as I used the Dag Momentum amps for the speakers. I compared them to many top amps that dealers gave me to try to replace my Dags and they are scarily close to many very expensive amps.

They do run HOT!

Resale was ok - not bad but not good. Most everybody said that the original price was sooooo much lower that even tho these were new it didn't make any difference. They weren't worth the money because they could wait for a 5 year old version for a lot less.

I think that in general, every product that has had price increases but not a model change has this issue.
 
Parasound JC1's at RMAF were maybe the best sounding amps I heard there. I know they're not the newest and hottest thing, bit they always sound amazing in any combination that I've heard!

John Curl is underrated, VERY!
 
Would you guys buy Parasound products yourselves?


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I own a Parasound A21 amp that I gave to my son. It served me well over the years. It is built like a tank with a lot of features. It has brute force power and and very tight, controlled deep bass.

My only issue with it is that it had a hint of grain and that it could use a bit more air and transparency. It however does not belong in the same league as my Pass X250 except for the fact that the A21 has better attack. Guitar strings have a better leading edge and are crisp and more realistic. The A21 does pair well with other Parasound gear.

The A21 could use an overhaul as it has not been updated since its inception I believe. However, at its price point it is hard to find better.
 
I've owned a mess of their little ZAmps. I currently have one serving office duty powering my Audience ClearAudient The Ones. I love the little amp.

- Woody


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I wouldn't say no to a set of JC-1's.

That said, I readily admit that I'm not their target audience. I'm the kind of audio geek who mingles with the more esoteric side of hi-fi. For example, if I had to choose between an Odyssey Audio 'Khartago' amp and the Parasound Halo A23, I'd pick the Odyssey Audio piece without batting an eye.
 
Zero said:
I wouldn't say no to a set of JC-1's.

That said, I readily admit that I'm not their target audience. I'm the kind of audio geek who mingles with the more esoteric side of hi-fi. For example, if I had to choose between an Odyssey Audio 'Khartago' amp and the Parasound Halo A23, I'd pick the Odyssey Audio piece without batting an eye.
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The A23 amp is not a baby brother of the A21. It uses different circuitry and it is not as refined. The A23 is more of an entry level amp even it is in the Halo Line.

For anyone into spec's check out the specs on the A21. http://www.parasound.com/a21.php#
Too bad it does not sound as good as the spec's.
 
Mike said:
I'm curious...what do you mean about that? You own the A21, are you not a fan?
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Sorry, all I meant was that spec's are not everything. I like the A21 and have no reservations recommending it. It specs out better than a lot of more expensive amps ( including my Pass amp) but does not sound as good as them. I like the sound of the A21 at its price point and feel it is a bargain with a lot of features and good sound. I did get to compare the A21 directly to the Van Alstine newer R series hybrid tube-ss amps and the all solid state Synergy amps. The R series amps blew the A21 out of the water but they are $600 to $1K more. The Synergy amps sounded slightly better in some respects and are priced near the A21.

My A21 has been retired to my son's system paired with the Pass B1 preamp/buffer that we built together. Lucky 23 year old, he has all my hand me down gear and is a budding audiophile
 
Mechnutt said:
Sorry, all I meant was that spec's are not everything. I like the A21 and have no reservations recommending it. It specs out better than a lot of more expensive amps ( including my Pass amp) but does not sound as good as them. I like the sound of the A21 at its price point and feel it is a bargain with a lot of features and good sound. I did get to compare the A21 directly to the Van Alstine newer R series amps and the all solid state Synergy amps. The R series amps blew the A21 out of the water but they are $600 to $1K more. The Synergy amps sounded slightly better in some respects and are priced near the A21.
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Thanks. Appreciate the honest feedback.
 
The John Curl designs are what counts!

All other Parasound amps are good, but the JC designs are special!!!
 
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