Have the upgrade Bug again, Questions

[ImcLoud]

congrats, that sounds like a good price. I like the black better..

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Finally pulled trigger and got the A51/A21 amps. My dealer gave me a great deal on the A51 Demo w/full warranty and new A21 4700 for both. I was really leaning towards ATI based on feedback, but I have been 100% satisfied with my 52 series halo's just wanted a little more juice.

My bedroom systems sounds a lot better two as my old 52s are now driving my GoldenEars. Glad my little Integra 30.5 has pre outs!

General comment, the Black Halos look strange to me coming off the silver ones they replaced.

When my new home is completed I will be upgrading my HT speakers and seriously considering a Bryston Pre/Pro, but that won't be for about another 6 months so I have time to look/listen.

Congrats. I am sure Parasound sounds as good as any high-end amps out there.

I don't know about the Bryston pre-pro, though. It is a lot of money for something that is basically a multichannel preamp with no RC (like Audyssey XT32 or ARC) and no Sub EQ (like the Audyssey dual Sub EQ). And the warranty is like what 3 YR? For $10K+? I just don't know.

Bryston needs to change with the times and get on board with the best new technology, instead of being stuck on the "No RC, no Sub EQ" and "Hey, let's rebadge an Axiom speaker" approach.

 

[RichB]

Congratulations.

I love my A51 in black.
Originally, I did not consider them because I had no idea they came in black.

The Audio Critic review basically shows the A21 power curve shows the amp performs well into 4 ohms and stable into 2.
Also, it measures well with -60 to +60 phase angles.
It wrestles my Salons into submission

- Rich

Edit:

Here is the Audio Critic Review.

 

[Cos]

Congrats. I am sure Parasound sounds as good as any high-end amps out there.

I don't know about the Bryston pre-pro, though. It is a lot of money for something that is basically a multichannel preamp with no RC (like Audyssey XT32 or ARC) and no Sub EQ (like the Audyssey dual Sub EQ). And the warranty is like what 3 YR? For $10K+? I just don't know.

Bryston needs to change with the times and get on board with the best new technology, instead of being stuck on the "No RC, no Sub EQ" and "Hey, let's rebadge an Axiom speaker" approach.

I understand the concerns with Bryston's lack of RC and no SubEQ. I want to move on from my 80.3 and will wait until the new Pre/Pro's come out for 2014 that support HDMI 2.0, etc. I have time, so I am going to take my time comparing items. I can forgo the Bryston and pick up a set of Paradigm S8s for about the same cost.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Congratulations.

I love my A51 in black.
Originally, I did not consider them because I had no idea they came in black.

The Audio Critic review basically shows the A21 power curve shows the amp performs well into 4 ohms and stable into 2.
Also, it measures well with -60 to +60 phase angles.
It wrestles my Salons into submission

- Rich

Edit:

Here is the Audio Critic Review.

Oh, yeah, well my amps measure well for +/- 120 degrees phase angles. So there.

 

[PENG]

I can forgo the Bryston and pick up a set of Paradigm S8s for about the same cost.

In that case, I would forgo the Bryston and get the S8 (that's if you really like Paradigm). The fact that you would even consider Bryston prepro implies you really more interested in pure direct kind of sound. If true, then your Integra, or any D&M near flagship AVR or prepros should do just as good as Bryston or any other expensive preamps regardless of price.

IMHO, next to the recording/mastering quality, speakers are the bottle neck once you get pass mid range AVRs, preamps and amps. Upgrading to the S8 should get you much more audibly different sound quality than by simply upgrading your electronics. Or if you can get pass Paradigm, take a listen of the higher end Revel, KEF or Focal at slightly above the S8's price point.

 

[PENG]

Congratulations.

I love my A51 in black.
Originally, I did not consider them because I had no idea they came in black.

The Audio Critic review basically shows the A21 power curve shows the amp performs well into 4 ohms and stable into 2.
Also, it measures well with -60 to +60 phase angles.
It wrestles my Salons into submission

- Rich

Edit:

Here is the Audio Critic Review.

Wow, you pay attention to ACR? I do, and I can ADTG too but you?? Jokes aside, I guess you are just interested in the technical part of their reviews, such as the power cube tests.

 

[Cos]

I used the S8 as a frame of reference, but I will be evaluating a lot of different speakers when I do upgrade and yes the Revel & Focal were on my list.

 

[RichB]

Wow, you pay attention to ACR? I do, and I can ADTG too but you?? Jokes aside, I guess you are just interested in the technical part of their reviews, such as the power cube tests.

Of course, I pay attention to you and ADTG too

Some recent discussions of phase angle, brought me back to that article.
I would like to see more of that type of amp measurement. It seems like a good indicator of performance driving reactive (more realistic) loads.

Btw, my recent acquisition of an XLR switch has provided me with some evidence that all HT processors may not sound the same in Pure Direct mode. Very slight though. Similar enough that without fast switching I am not sure I could have detected the differences.

- Rich

 

[RichB]

I used the S8 as a frame of reference, but I will be evaluating a lot of different speakers when I do upgrade and yes the Revel & Focal were on my list.

Good list

- Rich

 

[Cos]

Though this is getting off topic and I will create a separate thread...Focal Electra 1038 has anyone demo'd these speakers?

 

[slipperybidness]

I have both, Bryston Front and Parasound Rear, and I prefer the front but don't exactly know why. They should make it optional, i.e. owner could relocate them at will.

Well, back handles are particularly nice if you have a stand/ent cent/rack that has an enclosed back. It helps to keep you from damaging any connections when shoving it into the rack.

 

[RichB]

Though this is getting off topic and I will create a separate thread...Focal Electra 1038 has anyone demo'd these speakers?

Another Oppo Beta tester, GSR on AVRForum bought a pair of Focal Electra 1038 BE's.
PM him, he is a good guy and I am sure will give you his impressions.

He brought over the 1027 (I think) bookshelfs and I was very impressed with the sound of these speakers.

- Rich

 

[PENG]

Though this is getting off topic and I will create a separate thread...Focal Electra 1038 has anyone demo'd these speakers?

I did, along with the 804 diamond, S8, S6, some Sonus Faber, and bought the 1028 in the end for my room is small and I planned on using a sub with it if I needed more bass. I think if you like the S8 you would likely enjoy the 1038 too.

 

[slipperybidness]

Congrats. I am sure Parasound sounds as good as any high-end amps out there.

The thing that kills me on the Halo line is that IIRC, they are not truly differential topology. For that kind of $, I expect true differential (balanced) circuitry.

Otherwise, nice amps! I own a Parasound 1206 and can speak for build quality even on the non-Halo line.

 

[Cos]

I did, along with the 804 diamond, S8, S6, some Sonus Faber, and bought the 1028 in the end for my room is small and I planned on using a sub with it if I needed more bass. I think if you like the S8 you would likely enjoy the 1038 too.

I saw the 1038 be2 advertised for 7999/pair which puts them in line with the s8 and home theater.com rates them higher. I will have to check them out. My dealer carries both paradigm and focal, but doesn't have those on the floor only the s8, probably because he is one of paradigms largest volume dealers in the Midwest.

 

[PENG]

I saw the 1038 be2 advertised for 7999/pair which puts them in line with the s8 and home theater.com rates them higher.

Are you kidding? I paid that much for the 1028.

 

[Cos]

Focal Electra 1038BE

No idea if this is legit, but just did a brief search

I will admit I am a little hesitant, but I called them just to ask;

Fears:
1. They are based in NY
2. They stated they will be shipped from an authorized Focal Dealer with full Warranty, they themselves are not an authorized dealer obviously.
3. He dropped his price down to $7500.00 (Damn that was tempting)

Too good to be true often is, so I am very hesitant to buy online, but damn that is a good price.


Also too funny, I was trying to look these guys up and guess who already had a post about them:


AcuDefTechGuy

Here is an example of BBB rating on another one of those sites - Independent Audio Video:

http://www.bbb.org/delaware/business...w-de-32000438/

And here is Digital Craze:

http://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busine...ge-nj-26001020


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