+1 alucard19--i'd just add an amp.
Next move from Parasound HINT?
I appreciate all input and experiences…I am considering moving up from my Parasound Halo Integrated. My hope is for better sound quality, particularly with vinyl.
My current configuration is:
1) Anthem MRX 1120 AVR for Home theater (11.1)
2) Parasound HINT to power my fronts (B&W 702 S2) and my subwoofer (SVS PB-3000) and for vinyl playback (Thorens TD-160 Super, Dynavector XX2 cart)
3) Parasound JC3+ Phono Preamp
Needs for Integrated Amp:
1) more refined musicality for analog playback - I listen to a lot of rock, particularly hard rock, progressive and metal. However, I listen to a range of music, as well…from classical to trip hop to new wave…I just want to to really wow me with soundstage, separation, clarity and punch.
2) Home Theater bypass capability - onboard bass management is a plus
3) Balanced In / Balanced Out
4) L/R Speaker / Sub outputs
Do not need:
1) onboard phono stage
2) A whole bunch of digital inputs
3) USB
Thank you all in advance for any helpful opinions!
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- 35 posts total
@usualsuspectx your setup sounds pretty close to where I was thinking I should go from my Parasound HINT. Why did you prefer the NAIM over the Hegel? Are you using a sub when you listen to vinyl? |
Lots of options to process…thanks for taking the time, all! @alucard19 your suggestion is intriguing, but I am not sure I have the shelf height for that amp. Is it complicated to move from Home Theater config to 2.1 music with this setup? |
@geof3 I love the B&Ws. I have found that no matter what floor standers I am using, I prefer a little extra oomph from my sub when listening to music. Sometimes it is necessary to feel the bass… and, I agree with your comments on not moving to separates…a whole other ball of complexity…and space that I really don’t have, unfortunately. |
FWIW, I heard Hegel H390, Naim Supernait 3, and Luxman 590AXII a couple of years ago. I ended up buying the Luxman (bought a used one, new was too expensive for my pocketbook), which was amazing! Had I not bought the Luxman, Hegel would have been next on my list. For some reason, I could not warm up to Naim S3. It definitely had a preppy (I think they call it PRAT) presentation that I found to be a little too much for my taste. Of course this is a very subjective opinion, but I feel that B&W voices their speakers also on the ’preppy’ side of things, and pairing them with Naim might be too much of a good thing. IMO Hegel 390 with the damping factor is a better choice for your speakers. |
- 35 posts total