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Amp Preamp Advice

I am fairly new to the forum and perhaps someone has already had this discussion. If so, please forgive me.

I currently have a Parasound Halo A23 amp, Parasound New Classic 2100 preamp, Marantz 8006 CD player which can also be used for streaming, and Focal Aria 926 speakers. Overall, the system sounds pretty good. But are we ever really completely satisfied with the sound? I have been considering various options to improve the sound quality-more depth and clarity, bigger soundstage, etc. and wanted to see if I could get some advice before I make another purchase. Here are some of the options that I have considered:

1) Upgrade to a Parasound A21 amp which will increase the watts from 125 to 250 and the amperage from 45 to 60. If I go with this option, I will eventually upgrade the preamp, probably to a Parasound P6.
2) Upgrade the preamp to either a Parasound P6 when some are back in stock or to a Musical Fidelity or NAD C165BEE now. I would keep my current amp at least for now.
3) Gift my current amp and preamp to my son to start his first "real" stereo system and purchase an integrated amp which would replace both my amp and preamp at the same time. I know that there is a whole conversation to be had about which are better separates or integrated. But the integrated amps that I am considering are the Parasound Hint 6, the Musical Fidelity M5si and the Musical Fidelity M6si. In a way, I feel that the first two might be lateral moves from where I currently am although they would increase my wattage slightly and probably give me a better DAC than I currently have. The last one is probably more than I wanted to pay for an integrated at the moment, but I might could swing down the road.

What do the people say who probably know infinitely more about building a good sound system than I do? Or should I go with my last option and just be content with what I have? Thank you for your responses.
bcool57

Showing 3 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
4,777 posts
 
Even cold and traveling though the current Bomb Cyclone from Oregon to California the A21+ is so much better than the A23. More bass, way more clarity, not so veiled on top as the A23. This unit is still cold too.

The $599 Topping pre90 works great with the adjustable gain on the A21+. For, the $3K I paid in total for the A21+ and Topping pre90 this is heck of a good sound.

I have had 2 amps work with the Topping pre90, the Parasound A21+ and Benchmark AHB2. Both have adjustable gain.

I also had 2 amps that were awful with the Topping pre90. The CODA #8 and the LSA Voyager 350 GAN. The amps sounded way too loud.

If you can make the Topping pre90 work with your amp then it is a screaming bargain. It has similar character as the incredible Benchmark LA4/HPA4 preamps.
yyzsantabarbara
4,777 posts
 
I have had a Parasound 23 for a few years. It was just OK but I had a crappy room so I did not care. I am getting a used A21+ today. It is for my headphones in the long run but I will listen for a week on my hard to drive Thiel CS3.7 speakers.

This amp is going to be pairedwith a CODA 07x preamp but is in for repairs so I will be using a Topping pre90 preamp to test it this week. Hopefully they are compatible. The Topping is a bit difficult to pair with amps.

I can post my impression of the A21+ next week.

The following is an incredible integrated. It is being compared to $13450 Boulder 866 and some D’gastino integrated for $40K (on Stereophile). I also own this unit and it is exceptional.

Krell K-300i Integrated Stereo Amplifier For Sale - US Audio Mart

Just got the A21+.
yyzsantabarbara
4,777 posts
 
It can be seductive to go for components like Benchmark that are very detailed, but can rob you of the emotional connection.
I am not so sure the super silent Benchmark robs you of emotional connection. I my view it allows the other components, source and amp, to dictate the sound. 

I was just listening to Pearl Jam 'Black' on the Topping pre90 (just like the Benchmark preamps) and the Parasound A21+ and I was moved by the music. 

I have 3 peamps that I have mixed and matched and they are all good with the right pairing.

CODA 07x, Topping pre90, Benchmark LA4


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