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Parasound vs. Krell for 2 channel

Hey there - primarily a HT guy here. lately I have been listening to much more music though. I got JTR speakers but I love their sound/fullness for music. I have been running a Krell Chorus 5200 for 3 years. Love it, but recently added side surrounds. Grabbed a stereo D-Sonic to cover me...and tried it for my LR. I personally thought it felt a little thin/weaker, so I decided to switch back to the Krell for LR. So, I'm wondering if I should just keep it as is, or try to improve my 2 channel a bit. Would a Parasound A21+ sound "better" than the Krell? I have heard the Parasound has great control of bass response in mains, and that many people love their sound. I heard one once w/ Martin Logans and loved it. I also wonder if having 5 channels in the same box isn't as effective. I thought about going Jc1 mono blocks, but I don't have the space. Sorry this was so Long winded, LOL. But to all you out there smarter than me - should I check out a Parasound or just stick w/ Krell? thanks!
128x128ethos4lyfe
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
There's a Chorus 7200 also on audiogon.  You could get that and then sell your 5200.
ethos4lyfe's avatar
ethos4lyfe OP
74 posts
 
@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 :) 
clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 

The high degree of differences between amplifiers has always surprised me.  'A straight wire with gain' - not.  I am not an electrical engineer but I would expect a lot less variance than with electro-mechanical components like speakers, cartridges and microphones.

That said, for my ears Krell any day.  But from the D'Agostino days, not the private equity people, please. The 1980s pure Class A are the best, sadly no longer made because of wimpy environmental issues.  My KRS200 References were modified to issue 400W per side (not Japanese watts, and doubles up, down to 2 ohms), but consume nearly 2kW per side.  No-one gets something for nothing.

mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
935 posts
 
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.
gasnsteering
58 posts
 
I have never heard the Parasound but I have a Krell 400xi.  Krell is known for their deep and tight base.  
 

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