Parasound ZM-2350 - anybody tried this in their two channel system?

What could go wrong? Nothing. I purchased one and paired with the Parasound New Classic 200 pre-amp and couldn't be happier for the past two years. Yes, features for pretty much any situation. A low(ish) cost audiophile solution to get you 90% the way. The extra 10% will cost 10 x the cost of this system, and that I can not afford and thankfully have no way of experiencing.

What piqued my interest is the good reviews and the fact it could be a good driver for my Thiel CS-2.3s, a tough load.  It also provides some flexibility with sub management which could be fun to experiment with.  Another fun feature is the speaker level input, which I assume means I could hook it up in series with my tube amp (BAT VK-55) to get both the power required by the Thiels and the tube sound I enjoy.  So, on one hand, a low cost bandaid, but on the other a potentially nice sounding ICE amp that could fit in nicely with the long term plans I have for my system (hope to move up to Devores in about a year) Current plans and budget do not include an amp (source, room, isolation are the current focus areas) but this one is so low cost I could squeeze it in.

I can see why this piece would be a great go-to for professional installers, but the few reviews out there and the specs make me believe it’s a viable option for a simple two channel system.  What could go wrong? 

I applaud your ingenuity, and could see myself trying to save money this way but I suspect this is not the right thing for you.  It is meant for professional installers, and may not work they way you expect, or leave you with only partially satisfied.

What do you have, and what is your budget???


Best,
E