Parasound vs. Krell for 2 channel

@krell_fan1 yeah I need to send my 5200 in and get the xd upgrade. I will do that when I move in 4-6 months so save the hassle. 

And yes @arrowheadrss I agree w/ you - my thought is to actually stick w/ what I have and add a dedicated 2 channel pre...like a Mac 2600. or maybe an anthem

I have a Chorus 5200 and love it! I also have the Krell Duo XD and highly recommend it. It is SUPERB. I don't honk you can do better for the price. And of you have the standard issue 5200 I recommend you send it back to Krell to have it converted to XD. There is a WORLD of difference with the XD topography, trust me. 

Both Krell and Parasound make great amps which one is better for you is all about personal choice, your equipment, listening tastes, and the size and shape of your listening room. You will never realize the full benefits of having a high-quality amplifier if you are using a multi-channel processor. The best way to benefit from a quality amp in a multi-channel system is to install a quality 2 channel preamp that has a Home theater bypass. I just looked up the specs on the biggest JTR speakers, with a sensitivity of  95db at 4 ohms any good quality 5 channel amp that is rated at 150 watts at 8 ohms (usually double in 4 ohms) will have more than enough power to drive your speakers. With your speakers, it only takes about 65 watts to drive them to 112 db, which is hearing damage level. I don't know if you know but the Parasound JC 5 is like having 2 mono A21"s in one unit.

I've never heard the Krell, but I own the Parasound A31, and recently upgraded to JC-5.   I don't agree that some descriptions of Parasound's sound being dry.    I would describe it as neutral to slightly warm.

However, I agree that some people might find it 'boring' or 'uninvolved'.   I felt a little bit the same way when I was still auditioning the JC-5.  But then I started to really see that it is actually a nice attribute about Parasound.  It just gets out of the way and delivers that smooth sound every time.   The more I listen to it, the more I really appreciate that transparency, and with the JC-5, it's got nice tight bass and very smooth mids and highs, plus I love the sound stage and the spaciousness of the music.    Oh, and that low noise floor.

This is what so cool about this hobby.  Everybody has different taste, it really comes down to your personal preference.  Cheers!

I have never heard the Parasound but I have a Krell 400xi.  Krell is known for their deep and tight base.  
 

My experience:  I first attempted to consolidate and went for a Marantz 7-Channel amp in order to "do it all".  My main LR speakers sounded, well, not so good.  I repurposed the Marantz for all 7-channels to be used in a 9.1 system (Dolby Atmos overhead speakers plus center, sides, and rears) and bought BAT (Balanced Audio Technology) electronics for my main preamp and power amp.  The BAT preamp allows you to set a source input as "fixed" whereby I can then use the Marantz pre/processor as the main controller for HT and the RL  information passes through the BAT preamp to the BAT power amp.  Voila, I have two systems that serve both of my needs.  A great sounding HT system and then a superior, stand alone 2-channel system for playing vinyl.  No matter how you end up with your design, I can't recommend using a multi-channel amp for your main RL speakers.  Nowhere near the control or sound quality that a dedicated 2-channel amp will provide for 2-channel music sessions.  Krell is a fantastic product, especially if it is from the D'Agostino design days.  Use that for your main RL speakers and a multi-channel amp for everything else.  My two cents on the question.

@auxinput yeah I saw that as well...I know that dealer - I think he said the 7200 has been plagued w/ issues more so than the 5200. But also, I would want to the XD version....though I could just buy and upgrade later :) 

There's a Chorus 7200 also on audiogon.  You could get that and then sell your 5200.

@auxinput yea now its probably out of my range...I just added a second sub and side surrounds to go 7.1. I had been thinking of getting a duo all along, maybe I'll just wiait and do that :)

I had both Parasound and the Krell Digital Vanguard. The Parasound always seemed lackluster to me. I found the Krell superior and very resolving. Krell is close to me in CT and has top notch customer service!

A note on Class D amps with switching power supplies.  Even though the amp will produce more watts per channel, the switching power supply can limit the strength of the bass.  This can be why the D-Sonic sounded thin/weak in comparison to the sliding-bias Class A Krell amp with a linear power supply.

This is likely way over your budget, but there's a Krell Duo 300 amp in audiogon for $4900 or best offer.

Thanks for all the replies - I really didn't think the difference for HT would be noticeable, so I was considering that part a wash. The D-Sonic actually sounded similar enough for HT, it was the 2 channel that I felt was lacking. Maybe I'll try and hear one in person again - or see if anybody local has one I can listen to. I just don't love the idea of having the class D amp, but I guess if I use it solely for sides its okay :) 

Always loved Krell amps especially the older units. Parasound just too dry sounding and uninvolved sound especially for HT IMHO.

The Parasound is going to be significantly different in sonic signature.  You will definitely notice this on movies.  The Parasound is a very slightly warm and dry sound.  The Krell Chorus 5200 is a sweeter smoothed over sound.  The "clinical" description that oldhvemec stated is really on the older Evolution series amps.

I know the A21, but the Krell, I don't. Krell is very clinical to me. I've owned their older models. The A21 has great bass control, but I always though the mids were some of the best, highs, well it's SS, usually are good. But the mids, I listen to a lot of music, with congas, pans and, kettle drums... The A21 will do it all..Bass is just a given..

Will it be BETTER? I don't think so, at least not by any great margin, if at all. Will it sound different? I think so. Maybe a slight nudge in the mids for the A21. The A21 has a few more watts, and you can bridge.

Krell though... good stuff. For what you doing... Space?

Regards...