I did pull the trigger on a vintage McIntosh SL-1 sub from the good people at The Music Room Audio. Always a pleasure to work with them, especially Ben. I started to buy either a Rogue RP-1 Tube amp or a Bryston BP6 solid state amp from them, but I kind of want to see how much difference the sub makes in the sound. Plus, one thing I do like about my Parasound preamp and Parasound preamps in general, you can set the crossover for the sub and the speakers on the back of them. Hopefully, this will give me a fuller sound.
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.
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.
17 responses Add your response
Send your kids to school to learn a trade, HVAC, medical imaging, anything but college. Burn your money with a blow torch, get more to show for it than a college degree. Plus not create more people who hate their own civilization. Just saying, better you hear it than live the horror show you are about to fund. Save money, better stereo, and they actually get good jobs in the end. Definitely a win-win. |
I have spent a good deal of time the last couple of days listening to various artists in different genres and have come away convinced that my system is pretty good overall. I think it does need tweaking but one piece of equipment at a time, probably starting with the preamp or adding a sub. I have looked at various used preamps online including Bryston, Bel Canto, Hegel, Copland, and Rogue. Some of them are solid state and some tube. As for budget, I don’t have much of one as I have children either in college or about to head to college. My wife and I have always allowed a little “play money” each month that we can use however we want which is what I will save to buy. Thank you all for your input! |
what exactly is the budget ? You have many choices of excellent gear. As Eric wisely said, optimize current setup as your Curl designed components are capable of much. Consider the Jim Smith book - Get Better Sound - to assist you. Ignore the singular product recommendation, typical regurgitation of only what they own, often without any or much depth of experience… Finally, enjoy the journey and congrats on the notion to gift components to son to kindle interest :-) how wonderful! |
Hello, MC is right. The raven is nice but it sounds like you want solid state not tubes. If you are ok with tubes I would say replace your preamp. The preamp is the signature sound, bar none. I like Rogue and PS Audio, but unless you buy used it’s out of your budget for the bigger models like the PS Audio BHK or the Rogue RP5. You have a strong amp you just need to get the finesse back which will NOT happen with the Hint6. Your whole budget should go to a preamp. You need to demo this in your home. I chased the watt dragon for years until I tried a new stereo preamp. It made all the difference in the world. You can run those speakers with a 2.5 watt Decware and it will sound amazing. A Rogue Sphinx v3 for $1599 would also sound amazing. Plus it has a nice phono stage. It’s about the preamp not the watts. If you are in the Chicagoland area this store lets you try stuff out in your home before you buy. https://holmaudio.com/ Add a couple of subs and you are done. |
Hello bcool57. For the money, and if you are handy, the Akitika Preamp is very good. (it is abitious for beginners.) Find an outfit that will let you try out cables: Used Cables.com is one. You can make excellent cables if you can build that kit. It's easy and inexpensive. It might not have an attractive woven nylon cover, but who knows whats under those covers? Your homemade cables might not have gold plated, highly polished connectors (unless you ant to pay for them), but if they sound great, who cares? Try using that leftover TV cable the installer left behind. /think about what kind of frequency response that cable has to have! Contact me for cable making ideas, speaker and interconnects. If the music isn't making it thru your present cables, you won't know how good your components are. The gear you have is good stuff, be sure you can hear it sing. A $50 Chinese 10 gauge, five foot, sheilded power cable from Amazom is worth a try. If that improves things, enjoy it and upgrade later, perhaps. And think just how proud you will be when your efforts give you big rewards! Enjoy! |
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 |
Must of us with great systems got there over decades by upgrading one component at a time… reaching each time to get a significant upgrade. I always go at least 2x in investment on a new component.. 3x is nice if you can manage it. I always try and trade in. I see two obvious courses… preamp or speakers. If you are happy with the overall sound of the Focal, then think of the 948’s. This will get you a big upgrade. If they are just fine, then do some auditioning. Open minded listening until something really grabs you. The preamp is also a big opportunity. Here I would really recommend going used… so you can get into the $6K range. If you want more musical, then go tubed preamp. Be careful on detailed versus musical. It can be seductive to go for components like Benchmark that are very detailed, but can rob you of the emotional connection. To get a firm direction. Find a couple of dealers and listen to a few systems way beyond your means… what appeals to you. Pay attention to the emotional connection. If you can get a firm idea of where you want to go. Then the dealer, professional reviews, and advice can get you there over time. |
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. |
bcool57 OP Nice amps (John Curl design) both the Halo A23 and the A21 they only need 1v in!! for them to give their max wattage output. And most sources today give more than 2v output some even 4v and 6v!!! So you need a preamp with next to NO gain, or go direct from the source if it has a volume control. For preamps that have low gain look at the Schiit FreyaS with remote control!! and balanced, at $599 it gives you the choice of being used as passive, active tube or active solid state. https://www.schiit.com/products Cheers George |
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+. |
Don’t fall for the power/watts BS. Seriously. You have to hear it to believe it. Thank you for saving me some typing! I’ve gone the gamut from 55wpc to 70wpc to 255 wpc to 150wpc to 100 wpc to 35 wpc and finally to 20 wpc, and every step sounded better to me on my system than the last. If I could afford 50wpc to 100wpc that sounded like my 20 wpc, I’d do it, but I much prefer the improved sound over just louder. Buy an amp because it sounds better, not specs better. I've heard good things about the Vincent hybrid integrated amps, but have not heard one myself. |
When I replaced the Paradigm 70P speakers which I had owned for over 20 years a little over a year ago, I considered the Focal and Martin Logan Motion 40 because I had Focal in my car and really liked them. I do wish that I had been able to audition the ML's, but it was almost impossible today with very few audio stores still around. |
1) Performance is not about watts, it is about sound quality. 2) Separates at this price level are almost always far more expensive for what you get especially once the extra interconnect and power cord are factored in. Therefore: 3) Your best idea is the integrated amp. Only, remember the first point, it is all about quality not quantity. The Raven Nighthawk is within your budget and with your 91.5dB sensitivity Focal speakers is plenty of power. We have used it with 87dB speakers. Volume, dynamics, bass response will not be a problem. Sound quality- imaging, depth, detail, truth of timbre- will be so much better than what you have now it will be hard to believe. Don't fall for the power/watts BS. Seriously. You have to hear it to believe it. |
One thing I've noticed with the Focal line is the imaging is hard to get right but sounds really full when you do. Experiment with room acoustics by using pillows, cushions and comforters. See if you like the results of placing them behind, between and to the sides of your speakers. This will help you see if you want to invest in room acoustics next. |