Marantz AMP10 or Parasound?

[Mark M]

I have a Marantz AV10 and a Parasound A21+.
I have a 9.2.4 surround system.
I'd like to upgrade my center, surround, and atmos amps. I'm keeping the A21+.
Should I get an AMP10 or a Parasound A51 and a 4 channel amp for the 4 atmos heights?

Gene??

 

[TLS Guy]

I have a Marantz AV10 and a Parasound A21+.
I have a 9.2.4 surround system.
I'd like to upgrade my center, surround, and atmos amps. I'm keeping the A21+.
Should I get an AMP10 or a Parasound A51 and a 4 channel amp for the 4 atmos heights?

Gene??

Probably the Marantz. That series of gear seems incredibly well made. I have an AV 10, and its quality of construction and performance continues to astound me. That is the first AV Preamp I have owned that is comparable in quality to the rest of my system. The others fall far short compared to that unit. I doubt you will go wrong with the Marantz amp 10.

 

[Mark M]

I'm thinking maybe the A51 to complete the bed layer and an outlaw for the atmos heights.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm thinking maybe the A51 to complete the bed layer and an outlaw for the atmos heights.

The biggest issue with the Marantz is that it has 15 channels. That increases the odds of one amp failing and putting the unit out of commission. The Parasound has five channels. So if both are similarly reliable, and that may well not be the case it reduces odds of failure by a factor of three. I personally favor using 2 channel amps.