2. amps-preamps
  3. 176095-172723

Move from Parasound A23 to A21/A21+ or Something Else?

Hello, looking for some advice on an amplifier upgrade. Some years ago I was able to get an original Parasound A23 for a really great deal. I like the amp quite a bit and it was a wonderful upgrade from a class d amplifier I was using. I am mostly happy with the amp but I have noticed on loud or complex passages that the music can become strained sounding. It will shift from a nice layered and smooth sound to a more brittle and flat sound. It’s like the soundstage collapses to one dimension right between the speakers and music gains a hardness to it. It’s hard for me to explain exactly as I not that great at descriptors for audio.

Anyway, it doesn’t happen all the time only when listening to dynamic and busy music at higher volumes like 85+ db average at the listening position; about 3 meters from the speakers. The room is around 4500 cubic feet and semi open to other rooms. The speakers are Focal Kanta 2s. When I calculate the actual needs for wattage based upon distance and sensitivity, I "should" be fine with the A23. However, I wonder if a more powerful amp would help with the issue?

I like the signature of the Parasound so I am thinking of a used A21 or maybe even the A21+ if I could snag one at a good price. Is there anything else that should be on my radar? Looking to spend up to $3K max, less is better. Or, I could save up and maybe get a JC5 in 9-12 months if it was really worth it.

Open to thoughts and ideas.

mrteeves
yyzsantabarbara
5,026 posts
 

The new Duo lineup from KRELLL seems very well built. I have had the K-300i and now the 175XD and cannot fault them operationally. In fact, the K-300i was the very best implementation of ROON READY that I have tried because it also controls volume.

On a lark I tried my KEF LS50's with the KRELL 175XD and what a great sound. I always felt the LS50 (the original one) scales with better amplification. My Benchmark AHB2 and this KRELL Dou 175xXD (very different sonically) really take the LS50 to great heights. I am going to keep this combo with a KEF KC62 sub in my small office.

christianb5s4
238 posts
 

@mrteeves I ended up buying and receiving a mint, one year old JC5 today. Initial impressions are that it's an immediate step up in clarity, detail, sound staging, and bass (both quantity and refinement). Everything feels more effortless and flows more smoothly. And that's just out of the box.

 

I'll let it run in for a bit and get more time on it to see how things go but wanted to share. Makes my Arcam amp sound muddy and unrefined by comparison and I wasn't even unhappy with that amp's performance previously.

vlach
7 posts
 

@avanti1960

Re: there are people who prefer the sound of the a23 vs. the a21 FYI. 

Are you one of them? I think i prefer the A23 as well (i own both), however it is system dependent. I've had the A21 for 10 years and recently purchased the A23 for a secondary system. Just out of curiosity i decided to do a direct comparison with the A21 to evaluate the differences in my main system. I was pretty surprised to find that the A23 sounded more articulate and detailed in the mids and livelier overall. Now, that is probably due to system synergy since my speakers are rich, full range, full bodied and lean slightly on the warm side. I think the A23 injects a little more clarity into them than the A21 does. The A21 sounds a little slower and slightly darker.

The A21 is now feeding the bookshelf speakers in my secondary system which are faster and leaner in nature than the speakers in my main system. The A21 makes them sound fuller and yields a more neutral tonality. Again, it's all about combinations and synergy.

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