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Move from Parasound A23 to A21/A21+ or Something Else?

Hello, looking for some advice on an amplifier upgrade. Some years ago I was able to get an original Parasound A23 for a really great deal. I like the amp quite a bit and it was a wonderful upgrade from a class d amplifier I was using. I am mostly happy with the amp but I have noticed on loud or complex passages that the music can become strained sounding. It will shift from a nice layered and smooth sound to a more brittle and flat sound. It’s like the soundstage collapses to one dimension right between the speakers and music gains a hardness to it. It’s hard for me to explain exactly as I not that great at descriptors for audio.

Anyway, it doesn’t happen all the time only when listening to dynamic and busy music at higher volumes like 85+ db average at the listening position; about 3 meters from the speakers. The room is around 4500 cubic feet and semi open to other rooms. The speakers are Focal Kanta 2s. When I calculate the actual needs for wattage based upon distance and sensitivity, I "should" be fine with the A23. However, I wonder if a more powerful amp would help with the issue?

I like the signature of the Parasound so I am thinking of a used A21 or maybe even the A21+ if I could snag one at a good price. Is there anything else that should be on my radar? Looking to spend up to $3K max, less is better. Or, I could save up and maybe get a JC5 in 9-12 months if it was really worth it.

Open to thoughts and ideas.

mrteeves
vanson1
126 posts
 

I had to have a Mc452 repaired under warranty last year which took 5 months. 

In the interim,  I recapped parasound HCA855 to run the front speakers.  My God it sounded great. When my MC452 came back home I thought it sounded lifeless. 

 

On a whim I purchased a parasound jc5. 

 

I'm now using jc5 to  power the front speakers 🔊 

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,723 posts
 

Try a pair of Schiit TYR mono blocks.

https://www.schiit.com/products/tyr

hifi59's avatar
hifi59
51 posts
 

 

“+++I had the A23 5 years ago. Nice amp, but...GaN technology brings a number of benefits to the table, high efficiency, cool running, and most importantly, fantastic sound. I have owned the LSA Voyager GaN 350 for over a year, and thrown all kinds of music at it that I am very familiar with. I can’t imagine a better amp for MSRP $3000, but they do run specials”+++

I have the A23+ and owned the LSA Gan350. The A23+ dominated it! The Gan amp just didn’t project sound like the A23+. The Gan lacked bite and turned out to sound boring. Never got my toes tapping. One can say the Gan amp sounds good, especially on the top end, but it just wasn’t nearly as engaging as the A23+. On the A23+, the bass was tighter, the mids were more prominent and the top end had more sparkle. It was also quieter with no source playing with volume cranked.

After weeks of listening for several hours a day, I wanted the gan amp to be better, but it never happened. On a final note, the Gan amp was less dynamic and it actually raised Sinatra’s voice a half octave where the weight of his voice was lacking. (Compared on a professionally calibrated system using Xtension10 turntable, Soundsmith Paua es cartridge and Modwright PH9.0X phono pre.)

ja_kub_sz's avatar
ja_kub_sz
254 posts
 

I love the Cambridge Audio Azur 851w run in mono and price wise I feel like there in the same ball park. I still love those amps and have them as my second system.

My primary I went...

JC5’s and then bit the bullet and now have the JC1+ amps and couldn’t be happier.

But I’ll be honest SPL’s stereo amp really has my attention and they make awesome stuff.

So my recommendation as a non-parasound brand would be the SPL Performer s800,

Output power (RMS, 4 Ω)

570 W

Output power (RMS, 8 Ω)

370 W

But is $3,500... But cheaper then a JC5 (which is a great amp)

 

ja_kub_sz's avatar
ja_kub_sz
254 posts
 

Or a Peachtree GaN400 ($3,000), but it’ll be a much different sound then your beloved Parasound amps.

• 400 watts per channel
• Fully balanced topology
• Balanced and unbalanced inputs

I was also thinking and the A21+ to JC5 sound jump is equally notable as the JC5 to JC1+, but at a fraction of the cost. I'm a big JC5 fan!

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