Parasound A21+ or Emotiva XPA-DR2

Parasound Halo line punches way above it’s price point. Many of the Halo Line has been designed by John Curl and I often think it is better to look not at a product brand or model but ask “who is designing and engineering” the piece I might want to own.

Nice to hear it all worked out well in the end :)

Thanks for the help!

In the end, I went with the Parasound product and am very happy with it, at least until the urge comes along to replace it with something else as is the usual course of things.

I did find one review on the Emotiva XPA-DR2 from hi-fi news. Anybody that's interested, click the link below.
https://www.hifinews.com/content/emotiva-xsp-1xpa-dr2-prepower-amplifier

I heard a Gold Note P-1175 (?) vs the A21 and thought the Gold Note had more detail and a LOT more foot tapping (musicality) than the A21 

I'm still not sure what your point is.  Different technologies... have you listened to either amp or do you just look at pictures on the internet.  I would suggest that there are a lot of reviews available on both amps including numerous owner reviews of the A23 -  http://www.audioreview.com/product/amplification/amplifiers/parasound/halo-a-23.html

Ok...


https://images.app.goo.gl/GaPejnkS7NMQ1mMG7   

Or

https://images.app.goo.gl/fhgn6bJd4wmadQvt9

He's looking at an A23, not the A21 which is a step up from the A23 and his budget.  

https://images.app.goo.gl/  ST 500

0r

https://images.app.goo.gl/6qwf44Wdp7GAs9qr9 A21+

I owned an A23 and have had a couple of Emotiva amps - the XPA5, which I still have for surround sound duty in my 2nd system and a pair of XPA-100 Gen 2 monoblocks.  They were decent amps, but nothing to get excited about.  The top end of the A23 was a little bright for my taste and it's not going to control the bass with an iron fist, but one person's bright might be another's "detailed".  The Emotivas are decent, but lack some of the detail of the Parasound. 

If I had to pick one, it would be the Parasound, however my advice would be to save a little more and check out a Wyred 4 Sound ST-500 MKII (or find one used for about what you're planning to spend).  It will have more detail, be a little smoother, and give you more "slam".

John Curl... done

Anyone else have any thoughts on this choice or other amps in the price range to consider?

Sorry, OP! I made the same mistake!! :-)
I owned the smaller version, that's about the same size as the preamps.

Best,
E

My mistake. Should have said A23+ (not A21+) v. XPA-DR2
I can acquire either amp for the exact same price.

Thanks erik_squires!

I've heard good things about Emotiva, but the one processor I had from them was horrible.
I've owned 2 A21's and they were really sweet, warm, delightful amps.