2. amps-preamps
  3. 181508-72674

Arcam SA20 vs. Parasound P6

I am adding a A21+ to my system, which is currently ran by an SA20. The speakers I have are a bit more demanding than the Arcam can handle. I really enjoy the Arcam, though, and am considering keeping it to use as a preamp for the time being.

I can't help but think this is a great opportunity for me to upgrade to a P6. I am seeing them for around a grand, which I am willing to pay IF it’s an actual sonic upgrade.

I have heard mixed reviews about the P6. Some say it is dry and clinical. Others say the DAC in it is bad and just there for convenience. Others love it, usually for its feature set. I rarely hear people describe it as musical. Not to mention, there are a lot for sale!

To be clear, I don’t need many features on the P6. Even the Arcam offers more than I’ll ever use. I need digital inputs and volume control, mostly. Balanced outputs are a cool feature on the P6, but ultimately not necessary.

It really comes down to which has the better DAC and which is the best musical representation of digital streaming. Sound stage is important to me and a detailed, but smooth upper midshighs are very important to me.

Well, should I go full Parasound? Is it really an upgrade?

 

 

nickrobotron

Showing 1 response by christianb5s4

christianb5s4
238 posts
 

I originally ran my Arcam AV40 as my full feature pre-amp, streamer and DAC. Even adding a relatively inexpensive Bluesound Node provided improvement a notable improvement in sound despite it running into the Arcam as a streaming source. The amp at that time was the Arcam PA240.

 

You could use the Arcam as your source/streamer and send it into a dedicated pre-amp. Arcam is great for what it is, but it's designed to have a multitude of capabilities at the expense of being special at any one thing.

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