2. amps-preamps
  3. 1275435034

Parasound A21

Hi Guys,

This is my first post so please accept my appologise for being not technical/ wrong!

I've a set up consisting of

CD Player Primare CD31
Speakers Paradigm S4
Parasound speaker stands
Subwoofer 2 x Rel T3
Preamp Parasound P3
Power amp Parasound A21
Belkin power purifier
Nordost Red Dawn interconnects XLR and RCA
Nordost Red Dawn biwire speaker cables

I'm pretty happy with my system but i still feel somehow it isn't completed! Hence, I've 2 questions which i'd like your advices/ comments on?

1. To me, the use of XLR on my system doesn't produce as good sound as RCA (interconnect between CD player and Preamp) due to RCA allows me to adjust the Treble and Bass on the Parasound P3. Will this story be completely opposite with say the Parasound JC2 preamp?

2. I'm tempting to obtain a used Parasound A21 to trial biamp or bridge mono setup. I do understand this is not a real biamp as i still have the passive cross overs in my speakers! (my gears are still under warranty). Hence, can you guys please give me some advices on whether i should biamp/ bridge mono? I love to have more of that airness sound come out of the speakers (not sure if i've explained correctly here!)

Thanking you all in advance for your advices
Tim
primare_cd31

Showing 5 responses by milpai

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,489 posts
 
I had posted a reply earlier, but this thread got moved from reviews to Amps/Preamps.
Why do you feel your system is not complete? Is it sounding thin or unpleasant? Are you saying that XLR is not allowing you to adjust Bass and Treble? Can you explain that?
While I have the A21, I have not used the XLR. That is because my source does not have XLR. If I get a XLR source, I will go the XLR route - just for "trying" it out.
In the meanwhile why don't you try to bypass the Belkin and connect the A21 directly to wall outlet and see if you can get more airness that you have mentioned. Some surge protectors can have negative affects on amps. I am pretty happy with my A21. Mind you - if the A21 is fairly new, I suggest that you wait for at least 20-50 hours before you make a drastic change to your system.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,489 posts
 
Primare_cd31,
Did you try the A21 without the Belkin? If the direct to wall sounded better, then you might need a non-MOV filter - like the Brickwall PW8R15AUD I have.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,489 posts
 
Good to know. Let us know about the improvements in your system.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,489 posts
 
Does your CDP have Balanced outs? My CDP does not, but my preamp is "truly balanced". So I wonder if having a "balanced" connection between my preamp and A21 will make any difference at all in my system. Thanks for letting us know about the improvements in your system. And enjoy your music :-)
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,489 posts
 
With the new speakers you have the A21 may be the weak link and you are right there. In my system the A21 is awesome and the JC1s would have been an overkill. I have read a review on the A21 where the professional reviewer does mention that the A21 was a different beast with XLRs. I fail to understand that part, as the A21 is not truly balanced.
More to discover