Parasound & ATI amps

[Irvrobinson]

If the literature doesn't specifically state the Amp is a fully differential design then it is safe to say the amp isn't fully balanced. Just my understanding of what manufactures are allowed to say / not say.

I don't know of any specific rules, but you're probably correct in the spirit of your comment. Given the added cost going fully balanced you've got to figure that the manufacturer will want to tout it if they've got it.

 

[Cos]

I don't know of any specific rules, but you're probably correct in the spirit of your comment. Given the added cost going fully balanced you've got to figure that the manufacturer will want to tout it if they've got it.

Given the fact that all of you "audioholics" look for it, I would find it highly unlikely that they wouldn't advertise it if it was fully balanced when the competition does.

My A52/A23 are Silver and my A51/A21 are black. It's still funny to me because it almost looks artificial to see Halo in Black.

 

[PENG]

Given the fact that all of you "audioholics" look for it, I would find it highly unlikely that they wouldn't advertise it if it was fully balanced when the competition does.

My A52/A23 are Silver and my A51/A21 are black. It's still funny to me because it almost looks artificial to see Halo in Black.

They did advertize the input stage being differential, that further re-inforce yours and Jin's theory. I am just stubborn in terms not going with internet hearsay any more, used to but not any more. If I were to bet I would also bet it wasn't fully differential as I posted the same (based on hearsay and assumption at the time) in another thread previously. Another thing, even the JC monoblock owner's manual says similar thing about the input stage, so I wonder if even their flag ship model is not differential end to end? Did you come across anything about that on the JC by any chance?

 

[RichB]

They did advertize the input stage being differential, that further re-inforce yours and Jin's theory. I am just stubborn in terms not going with internet hearsay any more, used to but not any more. If I were to bet I would also bet it wasn't fully differential as I posted the same (based on hearsay and assumption at the time) in another thread previously. Another thing, even the JC monoblock owner's manual says similar thing about the input stage, so I wonder if even their flag ship model is not differential end to end? Did you come across anything about that on the JC by any chance?

Parasound Halo's are probably not differential. The marketing material and video focus on reducing harmonics, especially odd to produce a "less fatiguing" sound.

Parasound seems to be about quality parts, great sound, reasonable (relative) cost, and attractive appearance. Thankfully, the epoxy encased transformer effectively reduced mechanical hum in my system.


- Rich

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have to admit that the selling points to me for ATI were fully balanced, fuse-less protection circuit, 7YR warranty, made in USA, and especially the part where ATI makes amps for Mark Levinson, Lexicon, Theta Digital, & Cary Audio.

But "lower-end" McIntosh and Bryston are not fully balanced either, and that really doesn't diminish their value or sound quality.

 

[Cos]

I have to admit, when I was troubleshooting my Anthem Amp with my DHC 80.3 Pre/Pro. My dealer lent me a A52 to try. When I hooked it up and played the last 007 Movie on the Blu-ray, the quality of sound, put a smile on my face. The fact of a 5 year warranty, John Curl's design, or the units excellent measurements were just a nice bonus and made the decision to buy easier. At the end of he day, it was the sound that put a smile on my face that influenced my decision most

What can I say, I just don't need to see a measurement sheet when I buy my equipment........doesn't mean I don't look at them before I open the box though

 

[melody3310]

Seriously you guys need to sign up for some weightlifting class before buying those amps. It's not that hard to move them in to place.

It is not that bad:

1. Place a small towel on the shelf
2. With one person on either side, lift the back feet onto the towel
3. Slide it in and adjust (front handles are helpful here, but the Halos are not front heavy)
4. Lift and remove the towel. (rear handles are helpful here )

Getting the damn things in and out of the box, is bad.

- Rich

 

[RichB]

Seriously you guys need to sign up for some weightlifting class before buying those amps. It's not that hard to move them in to place.

The concept is to slide it into a cherry shelf and when you do not want to scratch crap out if it.
I lift 3 times a week

- Rich

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The concept is to slide it into a cherry shelf and when you do not want to scratch crap out if it.
I lift 3 times a week

- Rich

That is why I like glass shelves. Nice and smooth.

 

[3db]

The concept is to slide it into a cherry shelf and when you do not want to scratch crap out if it.
I lift 3 times a week

- Rich

Me too..... 8oz arm curls are really starting to show results.

 

[RichB]

Me too..... 8oz arm curls are really starting to show results.

Executive barbells are bar far the safest approach.

Watching the AH videos, I sort of assumed that is a buff audio zone

Edit: Don't forget to stretch.


- Rich

 

[ematthews]

I'm in the same boat now looking at Parasound and ATI. I sold off all my emotiva gear and have a clean empty shelf waiting to be filled. I need an amp and a pre. I can not deiced which way to go with amps. Either both Parasound or Parasound Pre and ATI amp... I really like the made in USA from ATI.
And I have also been looking at Vincent and Peachtree since both have a hybrid design and I am looking for a warmer tone from the Emotiva neutral sound..
Any suggestions from the experts here... Budget is a touch over 2 Grand.

 

[jinjuku]

You could try tube amp and the Parasound Pre.

Also check out NAD. The 1155 and C275BEE.

 

[Steve81]

I am looking for a warmer tone from the Emotiva neutral sound...Any suggestions from the experts here... Budget is a touch over 2 Grand.

I'm not sure I'd recommend buying an amplifier to act as a tone control, nor am I aware of ATI / Parasound claiming (or third party measurements showing) their products to be anything other than neutral. However, as jinjuku has mentioned, a tube amp would be one way to potentially gain a warmer sound. Other than his suggestion of NAD, one other possibility I'd throw out there is Audio by Van Alstine; he demoed gear at CAF with Philharmonic & Salk, and mentioned that he aimed for a "tube sound" for some of his solid state gear (and there are a few subjective reviews float around that seem to corroborate the story) that might be up your alley.

avahifi - avahifi

 

[RichB]

I'm in the same boat now looking at Parasound and ATI. I sold off all my emotiva gear and have a clean empty shelf waiting to be filled. I need an amp and a pre. I can not deiced which way to go with amps. Either both Parasound or Parasound Pre and ATI amp... I really like the made in USA from ATI.
And I have also been looking at Vincent and Peachtree since both have a hybrid design and I am looking for a warmer tone from the Emotiva neutral sound..
Any suggestions from the experts here... Budget is a touch over 2 Grand.

I could not find impedance measurement but the Siearra 2's but the specs show a minimum impedance of 6 ohms so they should be easy to drive.

I am really pleased with Parasound amps. I have and A51 driving Revel Salons and it does a fantastic job.
Very clean. You can read about the A21/A51 at AH and the A31 at HomeTheaterHifi (which has some intersesting multi-tone tests). These are not the same as the A23 but they are a similar high-bias Class-A A/B design.

A friend just combined a Oppo BDP-105 (acting as a preamp) and a Parasound A21 to drive his Revel F206's and it sounds fantastic. Running those speakers at full range the amp is not taxed. Lyle Lovett as reference volume was as clean as a whistle and the amp remained only warm.

Configuration 1) $2300 List
Oppo BDP-105D Player, Network Streamer, USB DAC, with popular apps like Netflix and Pandora
Parasound A23 (125 watts RMS x 2 @ 8 Ω. 200 watts RMS x 2 @ 4 Ω) $995 List

Configuration 2) $2000 List
Parasound Halo P5 Preamplifier
Parasound A23

You can do better than list with Parasound so both combos should fit your budget.
Personally, if you want a simple system you cannot beat the BDP-105D and A23.
The 105D gives you the option of going multi-channel down the line and support bass management for your sub.

- Rich

 

[ematthews]

These are all great suggestions and I will review all my options before making another purchase. To bad both Hifi centers in my area only carry stuff for 6 digit incomes...
Another suggestion that has come up a few times is Peachtree..Any thoughts? Not sure I want to go class D yet..

 

[slipperybidness]

I'm a little leery of the Peachtree. It seems that at least one of their models has poor performance measurements.

I don't remember which model, but I bet somebody on here will remind us about it.

 

[jinjuku]

Peach Tree had some problems with DAC implementation from what I remember. I wouldn't personally consider Peachtree for my setup.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

When you say "Pre", are you referring to a stereo Preamp or a Pre-pro/processor?

For "warmer" sound, I would get a pre-pro from Marantz or AVR from Denon (like the X4000) and let Audyssey XT32 help out here. I would go with the Audyssey Reference/default setting, which tapers down the treble. You may find the Audyssey Flat and Audyssey Bypass L/R too neutral since they do not taper off the treble.

Furthermore, Audyssey Dynamic EQ may also make the sound richer and fuller and less "thin", possibly less "neutral" and less "flat".

For amps, I would just stick to either the ATI AT2000 or AT3000 or Parasound 250WPC amp.

The main reasons I like ATI:
1) Big metal front handles - love the aesthetics of the front handles (McIntosh, Bryston, Vincent, ATI).
2) price
3) USA built
4) fuse-less protection circuit - no need to replace fuses. When I had my Acurus amps, I managed to blow a few fuses. So that burned into my mind. Don't want to mess with fuses.

You just need to make up a list that is important to you. Obviously, made in USA is one for you. What else? You prefer the aesthetics of Parasound?

 

[ematthews]

When you say "Pre", are you referring to a stereo Preamp or a Pre-pro/processor?

For "warmer" sound, I would get a pre-pro from Marantz or AVR from Denon (like the X4000) and let Audyssey XT32 help out here. I would go with the Audyssey Reference/default setting, which tapers down the treble. You may find the Audyssey Flat and Audyssey Bypass L/R too neutral since they do not taper off the treble.

Furthermore, Audyssey Dynamic EQ may also make the sound richer and fuller and less "thin", possibly less "neutral" and less "flat".

For amps, I would just stick to either the ATI AT2000 or AT3000 or Parasound 250WPC amp.

The main reasons I like ATI:
1) Big metal front handles - love the aesthetics of the front handles (McIntosh, Bryston, Vincent, ATI).
2) price
3) USA built
4) fuse-less protection circuit - no need to replace fuses. When I had my Acurus amps, I managed to blow a few fuses. So that burned into my mind. Don't want to mess with fuses.

You just need to make up a list that is important to you. Obviously, made in USA is one for you. What else? You prefer the aesthetics of Parasound?

Pre-Amp... I still haven't ruled out the Denon AVR that you had suggested in another thread.. Although this is just a simple 2.1 system. I will be honest. I would like to keep it to two channel vs AVR... By the way I am also in the process of treating the room a little bit. I know this will tone down the room a little.