Help choose best amp/preamp combo?


Hi there
I am new to audio forum.Helo every one here can help me.I do build a 2 channel stereo with JBL sub.here is my system :Parasound a21 amp + Emotiva xsp1(gen 2)+ pair of B&W 805 Nautilus.To be honest, I do loved the sound system very clear and crisp on high and midrange with powerful bass tights.but it is LACKing of Warm sound.I do loved the warm sound is top priority.couple months ago I do have Rotel 1095 amp pair with Rotel rsp1570 + b&w cdm1 Nt sound is clear crisp and WARMER but sound is THIN compare to Parasound.but Rotel sound is warm which I like much.I also heard that Parasound a21 is warm sound too.but in my taste it is not.my question is the amp do produce a warm sound or Pre-amp produce a warm sound or the speaker do make the sound warm?I am confused and I want change my system to Rotel rb1582mk2 + Rotel rc1580 pre-amp because I heard that B&W speaker and Rotel is relate to each other and their product is matching together in sound.especially BW speakers is sound good with Rotel amp.is this true.and how you guy advised me to keep Parasound a21 and changing Pre-amp to either Parasound P5 or Rotel rc1580? Or go full system with Rotel like Rotel rb1582mk2 + Rotel rc1580?I am confused now and need your help.Thank You in advance.
128x128luckyrainbow63

Showing 16 responses by luckyrainbow63

I may try looking for Mcintosh tube Pre-amp like c2200 see how it's work. If I try tube Pre-amp it must be Mac.I won't try the other brand tube Pre-amp because they look so ugly.I do like both warm sound and beautiful appearing like Mcintosh tube Pre-amp.It is just my though or my dream because Mac stuff is so expensive.
Thank You for all your help.I will try Rotel rb1582Mk2 and see how the sound going.I do loved my B&W 805 so much and I won't change it.If I do change it I will upgrade it to 805 D2 or D3.my rb1582mk2 will arrive next week and will let you guy know how it is work.Audiogon forum is very helpful and wonderful place to learn audio gear.Thanks again to all you guy for helping me.
Thank you for very good advised Erik. I just check out the in put impedance from 2 amp + 1 preamp below: Parasound a21: 33k unbalance , 66k balance (xrl) input impedance and input sensitivity 1 volt. Rotel RB1582 MK2 (just bought not try yet) input impedance : 12k unbalance 100k balance (xlr)and input sensitivity: 1.9 volt (Rca) 3.0 volt (xlr).my Emotiva xsp1 input impedance: 50k ohms.my question is how come all input impedance from 3 unit are all different? And are they effect to sound quality or performing?Which amp is matching with my Emotiva preamp?
Thank You for your good advised Auxinput & Andrei_NZ I will listen to two of you guy by keeping A21 and Just found a good deal on JC2 for 2060 used.the Jc2 will deliver on this Friday.I will test it and let you guy know the result.Thanks again
Now I have Rotel RB1582MK2 just bought and not test yet.and my Emotiva Xsp1 gen 2 need to get rid.1582 mk2 is 4 months old and  Emotiva xsp1 is two months old.Any one need it just shoot me email luckyrainbow63@yahoo.com Thank you you guy
I did fixed the problem by adjust the "gain knob" from rear a21 to 12 o'clock and sound back to normal but bass still powerful. I have to adjust the knob from sub to 9 instead of 12 like normal from xsp1.
I just hook up a21 to jc2. I don"t know some thing wrong on it.I hear the huge bass from sub coming out and sound from both BW 805 so small like sound sinking? I hook up sub cable to rec out on rear Uc 2 is this wrong? Some one help pleasant.
You mean use Y splitter in order to split in 2 then I apply both "rec out" instead of one rec out like what I do right now?
I do used xlr cable for amp and used Rca cable for sub.because my Jbl es2500 subwoofer not carry xlr in/out put.rca only.
Please give me time.I will do side by side test on A21 +Jc 2 vs rotel 1582 + jc2 and 1582 + xsp1 vs A21 + xsp1.so far I test Rotel 1582 + xsp1 vs A21+xsp1 there is no big different but 1582 produce a warm sound compare to A21.I would say 1582+xsp1 is good matches.sound warm and comfort sound.i like it better than A21.
I did test A21 + Jc2 couple days ago and I would say: JC2 is perfect matches with A21.It is really made my 805 speaker sing. Sound too good to be true. I can"t image that a preamp is so important in sound field until I got Jc2. Sound is clear transfarent , warm sound but sweet.sound very detail and juicy especially in bass is very tigh and powerful.I am in heavens now.JC2 is worth every penny I spend.
Helo 213runnin my system below:
Para A21 + Jc2 and pair B&W 805 + JBL se2500 (400 watts) sub.Oppo 103 DVDs player.Iused RCA Mit cable branch for the system and sound good.how about your A21 +P7 ? Is this good match? Does it sound warm?
A21 +Jc2 vs Rotel 1582 Mk2 +Jc2 side by side test I would say both of them have a different sound.Both have warm sound ,Detail ,clear, tight bass..,Only the different is A21 sound is more wide open and juicy compare to 1582.but I do love the sound from both of them.Both A21 and 1582 Mk2 is very good amp to own.that is my opion.
Finally I want to Thanks and Appreciate to all Audiogon member and special Thanks to Auxinput,213 runnin, frozen tundra Andrei_nz and Erik_squires for helping me at the begin until I found a right preamp for A21.You guy are awsome.Bye Guy.
I did try it plug in the wall power jack but I still don"t feel any different.What is you guy think?
Hi every one
I need some advised or opion from you guy.That I heard some one said that if you plugs in power cord from Amplifier to wall power jack will produce very good sound compared to if you plugs amp power cord to condition power cleaner filter.Is this right?