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Moving on from Parasound A21 (maybe?)

I'm currently using an A21 amp to power my Focal 1028 BE speakers and I don't quite feel the love anymore with my music. My system is modest, all solid state, and I'd like to keep it that way. I've been exploring stereo amps ($6K is the limit), but don't know how much of an improvement I can make. A used Pass Labs X250.8 would be ideal if it wouldn't double as a space heater (operating temp is way too high), so I'm left dabbling with the unknown. The new Bryston 4B cubed has caught my eye, but it's too new to find any critical owner reviews. I'd greatly appreciate any ideas on a possible direction to take, if any, that would musically be a step up from my A21. Beyond my Focals, my system consists of: Simaudio Moon Neo 310LP phono preamp, Avid Diva II SP TT with SME 309 tonearm, AT-ART 9 MC cartridge, Bryston BCD-3 CD player, Parasound JC 2 BP preamp, and all of my ICs are Silver Resolution from Signal Cable (XLR wherever possible).
professorsvsu

Showing 1 response by milpai

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milpai
2,458 posts
 
@professorsvsu,
IF the A21 sounds dull with the BE tweeter in the Focal 1028, something might be not matching in your systems. The A21 is anything but dull. I used to have the Signal Cables with A21. But when I moved up to the Clear Day audio, things improved so much. Mind you, I do use a dual mono TVC and not a active line stage. So things are "more pure".
I think that dull you guys are referring too, is probably the "slightly warm" character of this amp. Because if it was any brighter in my current configuration, I would not be listening to my new loudspeakers for more than an hour. The Pass X250.8 would be a great upgrade though, at a price. Once you get that amp, you should eventually go with a Pass pre-amp like the X-10/20. It would be a great match. I have heard that combo, but in a completely different system.
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