2. amps-preamps
  3. 181522-78474

Not sure what to think or do...

A few months ago, a 4 month old Parasound JC5 exploded and took out a speaker.  They were pair of JBL towers and they sounded fantastic with the JC5.  Parasound warranty replaced the amp with a new open box after determining I was not at fault.  Speakers were long out of warranty so I ended up taking the loss and purchasing new speakers.  I got a new set of Wharfdale Elysian 2.  They look great but everything sounds terrible with the new speakers and the new JC5.  Both the new amp and speakers have about 30 hours on them.  I dont think it is the speakers because I tried with a 8 year old A23 Parasound amp and they seems to sound a little better.  So either things havent broken/burned in yet or I just got some bad equipment.  I hear people tell me it takes 100s of hours, etc, but Im worried and dont expect that big of a change over time.  This has been a bad experience for me and I feel like giving up on the audio hobby.  $6k on speakers, $6k on an amp yet the acoustic panels on my Sony tv also sound just as good so Im confused.  

audioman2015
ronboco
749 posts
 

My speakers took about 3-4 months to fully break in. Yours might need more time to loosen up. Good luck!

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,774 posts
 

Seriously, I would be so frustrated I’d simply return the speakers and ask for a refund on the amp. Then start all over again with different brands. When I’ve had new speakers, they’ve sounded good from the start.

You’ve paid way too much, wasted time, and incurred collateral losses (JBLs) to get sound you’re not happy with. Make some moves while you’re within your bargaining windows. The retailer and Parasound should consider this thread.

Maybe even consider a tube amp! There’s lots of guys afraid of tube amps but they’re actually extremely reliable and you just had a well-revered SS amp blow up your speakers?

sunshdw's avatar
sunshdw
239 posts
 

Maybe I missed it but what JBL speaker did you have? You mention a tower and you replaced them with a stand mount so maybe that's playing into your sound difference? My buddy has the JBL 1400 Arrays and yeah that would be a big step backwards going to the Wharfdales. 

helomech
1,525 posts
 

Some speakers don’t perform well with high power amplifiers, though I wouldn’t expect that to be the case with Elysians. 
 

Sometimes when I think something is amiss with my system or that it doesn’t sound good, I later realize I was just having an off day or in a bad mood. 
 

Also, some of the older Parasound products actually perform better in bench tests than the new stuff. For example, the original A21 is quieter than the JC5. That’s probably not your issue but a possibility. I know I prefer the sound of my 20-year-old, beat-up A21 to the A21Plus. 

roadwhorerecords
257 posts
 

@holmz 

  +1 agree %100 on each point. 

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