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Replacing Parasound p7, but with what?

The rest of the system is a Nad c565BEE player and a Halo A21.  Speakers are Sierra 2 or Tannoy Saturn DC6, depending on my mood.  With Wireworld Oasis 7 speaker cables and MA3 Morrows with Eichmann bullets.  Also one pair of  Silver stager Solids.  I've got a iPhone doc that passes digital into the Nad, which does a pretty good job with the processing.

It'a half open basement concept, about 500 square feet, but the main listening area is about 17 by18 with 9 foot ceilings, carpeted.  The sound is on the warm side, I fine that the top frequencies are reduced and I've heard that that's Parasound's sonic signature.  I've also read that their amps are better than their preamps.  Also, I suspect that the imaging isn't as good as it could be for that kind of money with the pre.  

So, any thoughts or suggestions?  I've considered the Wyred STP-SE, Nad C165BEE and selling the amp too for Nad's new c388 integrated.  Emotiva won't do it for me, but I'd like a little more top end.
213runnin

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,592 posts
 
As a current P7 owner, I have some thoughts.

I have had the chance to listen to the P7 vs. the Mytek Brooklyn DAC wired directly to my amps.  The Brooklyn has it's own analog volume control.  So I've been able to directly compare how the P7 changes the sound.

By comparison, I don't think the P7 is tonally at fault, so much as  slightly compressed, and lacking in imaging when compared to the very best tube preamps. It doesn't lack extension so much as effortlessness.

Still, it's a trade-off I make for being able to have a single system for music and home theater.  That and the fact I'm not made of money!! :)


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