2-channel separates for less than $2k?

[3db]

Aughhhh, you guys are making me crazy! ;-)

So, use the Yamaha as a pre-pro? And maybe spend a few more on the power amp? And I did see the stuff on the noisy volume control on the p5. What would make you all say that the Yamaha as a prepro would be as good as (or better than) the Parasound?

The specs for one thing. And then ask around this site who are using their Yammy as a pre-pro and how they like it. You'll be pleasantly surprised. We're just giving you options to consider.

 

[3db]

I feel the same but the OP like the look of the matching pair plus the pride of owning a separate pair vs an AVR turned prepro. It is obvious by now that's a deciding factor for him.

Apparently not that obvious as the option was only considered by my post and now his subsequent investigation into it.

 

[vantara]

The specs for one thing. And then ask around this site who are using their Yammy as a pre-pro and how they like it. You'll be pleasantly surprised. We're just giving you options to consider.

I definitely appreciate/understand that. I had no idea I could use the Yammy as a pre-pro. I'm not Audiophyte for nothing.

 

[Seth=L]

Aughhhh, you guys are making me crazy! ;-)

So, use the Yamaha as a pre-pro? And maybe spend a few more on the power amp? And I did see the stuff on the noisy volume control on the p5. What would make you all say that the Yamaha as a prepro would be as good as (or better than) the Parasound?

It has the benefit of superior level control, input selectivity, and processing.

The drawbacks are that it won't match aesthetically with most if any other amplifier, and the pride of ownership.

Monkey wrench

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s1000_black__u/?mode=model

 

[3db]

It has the benefit of superior level control, input selectivity, and processing.

The drawbacks are that it won't match aesthetically with most if any other amplifier, and the pride of ownership.

Thats why I left the escape clause in my post when mentioning the Yammy as a prepro..

 

[vantara]

Well, I'll be heading out shortly to look at the Parasounds, and I will definitely ask about the noisy volume control. I think I'm sold on this combo because it hits just about everything that's important to me.

That said, now that I know I can make use of the Yamaha as a pre-pro, I may take to doing a little fiddling with it as a second system. Again, I really appreciate everyone's input here.

 

[slipperybidness]

Well, I'll be heading out shortly to look at the Parasounds, and I will definitely ask about the noisy volume control. I think I'm sold on this combo because it hits just about everything that's important to me.

That said, now that I know I can make use of the Yamaha as a pre-pro, I may take to doing a little fiddling with it as a second system. Again, I really appreciate everyone's input here.

2nd, 3rd, etc, systems are always fun! Put it in the garage, bedroom, or man-cave!

Another nice thing about a 2nd system is that you can try out new gear and get the bugs worked out on the 2nd system and not be stressed out about taking down your primary system for extended time.

Please report back to us on what the dealer has to say about that scratchy pot on the P5. Be aware, there is a good chance that he does not know about this yet, so it may be news to him. Be sure to voice your concerns, and see what his plan will be if you purchase a P5 and later develop the scratchiness.

 

[vantara]

I definitely keep you in the loop on my findings. Is it really an analog pot, or solid state?

 

[slipperybidness]

I definitely keep you in the loop on my findings. Is it really an analog pot, or solid state?

Post#88

TLS is the best resource to educate us on these types of items.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/parasound-volume-pot-part-two.93353/page-5

 

[3db]

2nd, 3rd, etc, systems are always fun! Put it in the garage, bedroom, or man-cave!

Another nice thing about a 2nd system is that you can try out new gear and get the bugs worked out on the 2nd system and not be stressed out about taking down your primary system for extended time.

Exactly.. I'm considering buying this to replace my Technics in my second system as I need more inputs.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/ottawa/yahama-rx-v1500-av-receiver-7-1-channel/1049849741?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[vantara]

2nd, 3rd, etc, systems are always fun! Put it in the garage, bedroom, or man-cave!

Another nice thing about a 2nd system is that you can try out new gear and get the bugs worked out on the 2nd system and not be stressed out about taking down your primary system for extended time.

Please report back to us on what the dealer has to say about that scratchy pot on the P5. Be aware, there is a good chance that he does not know about this yet, so it may be news to him. Be sure to voice your concerns, and see what his plan will be if you purchase a P5 and later develop the scratchiness.

So, got to look at the Parasounds. Placed the order... got a very nice deal, $1,830 for the P5 and A23 combined. As for the issue with the noisy volume pot on the P5, you're right... they weren't aware of it. Their response was that it would have to be serviced by Parasound... but that if it were to go south in, like, the first 30 days, they'd probably just send me a new unit. They also mentioned that it could have been a bad production batch. They knew of no specific info coming out of Parasound to indicate that they've eradicated the issue.

 

[vantara]

On a related note, it was mentioned that the sensitivity rating of 86db on the NHT Absolute Towers is on the low range. Should that be a concern with the A23 amp?

 

[PENG]

On a related note, it was mentioned that the sensitivity rating of 86db on the NHT Absolute Towers is on the low range. Should that be a concern with the A23 amp?

Not at all, the A23 is rated 225W per channel into 4 ohms. You can probably cook those speakers with it if you want to.

 

[Seth=L]

Not at all, the A23 is rated 225W per channel into 4 ohms. You can probably cook those speakers with it if you want to.

I prefer my speakers raw.

 

[highfigh]

I definitely keep you in the loop on my findings. Is it really an analog pot, or solid state?

I called and asked tech support and was told it's an analog pot. I got mine (P5/A23) Tuesday and am very happy with the sound, although I didn't listen for a noisy control.

 

[PENG]

I called and asked tech support and was told it's an analog pot. I got mine (P5/A23) Tuesday and am very happy with the sound, although I didn't listen for a noisy control.

I doubt everyone will be bothered by the pot issue anyway. It may just be a bad batch and I am quite sure Parasound will fix the issue. To me it is more about for $1K, if sound quality is the top priority, one can do better but to many people SQ is not the only priority, especially when the difference in SQ between well made preamps are most likely subtle, if audible.

 

[highfigh]

I doubt everyone will be bothered by the pot issue anyway. It may just be a bad batch and I am quite sure Parasound will fix the issue. To me it is more about for $1K, if sound quality is the top priority, one can do better but to many people SQ is not the only priority, especially when the difference in SQ between well made preamps are most likely subtle, if audible.

I just signed up as a Halo dealer- the New Clasic and Z-series are sold through distributors, but I wanted what the Halo preamps and power amps have, so....

I hear nothing wrong with mine, at my listening position. If I have to put my ear an inch or two from the tweeter to hear a noise, it's not a problem for me and I have heard worse noises from Citation and other "top-line" preamps, without having to move closer. If it even becomes audible, I'll make a call. In a regular house that doesn't have a closed-off dedicated listening room or theater, these sounds are usually inaudible as soon as a window is opened, the 'fridge turns on or any other low level noise begins.

I see local availability as a benefit- brands that are only available online don't really interest me because I would need to base my purchase on faith in their description and the comments of others. Then, if I don't like it for some reason, I need to ship it back.

In your opinion, what offers a similar group of features for the price, with better performance?

 

[PENG]

In your opinion, what offers a similar group of features for the price, with better performance?

If you ignore look and pride, Denon AVR-4520 for example, or a few Yamaha RX-A AVRs as 3 dB has suggested. For a little more money, the Oppo HA-1 but then you have to forgo some features and perhaps add a phono stage. Since we are talking about noise, I can tell you my Denon AVR-3805 is definitely quieter than the A21 and that's an AVR (pre+amp) compared with just A21 power amp with only speakers connected using even the shortest possible length. Mind you the A21 produces only has an audible hum with ears within an inch to speakers. Then there is mechanical noise, if you have your ear touching the chassis on top of the A23 I am positive you will hear the transformer and that's not ground loop, just mechanical noise from the core and you can flip the ground lift switch and it won't change a thing. The encapsulation must have helped reducing the core mechanical noise already but it still hums louder than the EI core of my Denon AVRs. I posted about transformer noise before but it seems there are very few people who can hear them and I have no idea why other than I may be too sensitive to 120 Hz (for 60 Hz mains frequency in NA) and it's harmonics. All such noises are likely only audible in an anechoic chamber. My point is simply that there is always noises but most people may not even notice.

I don't want to get off topic too much but you can PM me.

 

[highfigh]

0

If you ignore look and pride, Denon AVR-4520 for example, or a few Yamaha RX-A AVRs as 3 dB has suggested. For a little more money, the Oppo HA-1 but then you have to forgo some features and perhaps add a phono stage. Since we are talking about noise, I can tell you my Denon AVR-3805 is definitely quieter than the A21 and that's an AVR (pre+amp) compared with just A21 power amp with only speakers connected using even the shortest possible length. Mind you the A21 produces only has an audible hum with ears within an inch to speakers. Then there is mechanical noise, if you have your ear touching the chassis on top of the A23 I am positive you will hear the transformer and that's not ground loop, just mechanical noise from the core and you can flip the ground lift switch and it won't change a thing. The encapsulation must have helped reducing the core mechanical noise already but it still hums louder than the EI core of my Denon AVRs. I posted about transformer noise before but it seems there are very few people who can hear them and I have no idea why other than I may be too sensitive to 120 Hz (for 60 Hz mains frequency in NA) and it's harmonics. All such noises are likely only audible in an anechoic chamber. My point is simply that there is always noises but most people may not even notice.

I don't want to get off topic too much but you can PM me.

How much gain does each provide? Also, what can each drive WRT difficult loads? The Denon is rated for 6 Ohm speakers and the A23 is rated with 4 and 2 Ohm loads, 45A peak output current. There's no way the AVR will dole out 225Wx2, two channels driven, 20-20KHz. As much as I like Denon (and I do sell that as my receiver line), I don't think its amp can do what the Parasound does. I don't have objective proof (yet) but when I get 0a free day, I'd like to take it to a friend, who can test my AVR-2313CI and the A23, to see what each is capable of.

 

[Seth=L]

0

How much gain does each provide? Also, what can each drive WRT difficult loads? The Denon is rated for 6 Ohm speakers and the A23 is rated with 4 and 2 Ohm loads, 45A peak output current. There's no way the AVR will dole out 225Wx2, two channels driven, 20-20KHz. As much as I like Denon (and I do sell that as my receiver line), I don't think its amp can do what the Parasound does. I don't have objective proof (yet) but when I get 0a free day, I'd like to take it to a friend, who can test my AVR-2313CI and the A23, to see what each is capable of.

I would tend to agree with what you're saying here. I doubt the Denon will be as happy to deliver the power required with the same immediacy as the A23.