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.

 

[Mark M]

I already have 2 outlaw 2220 amps. I could get the A51 to cmplete the bed layer, and keep the 2 outlaw 2220, and add 2 more 2220 amps for the atmos heights.
That would be 11 channels.

 

[lovinthehd]

What is your criteria for each amp you want? Personally I'd look more to Buckeye than Parasound or Marantz....

 

[Mark M]

What is your criteria for each amp you want? Personally I'd look more to Buckeye than Parasound or Marantz....

Why?

 

[lovinthehd]

Why?

Why do I want to know what your criteria is for an amp? Or why I prefer higher value power amps?

 

[Mark M]

Why do I want to know what your criteria is for an amp? Or why I prefer higher value power amps?

Sorry. Why would you prefer Buckeye? Ok, higher value amp. But I already have a Parasound A21+ and I figured matching it with an A51 would make the bed layer more cohesive.

 

[lovinthehd]

Sorry. Why would you prefer Buckeye? Ok, higher value amp. But I already have a Parasound A21+ and I figured matching it with an A51 would make the bed layer more cohesive.

In what way? Same gain or ?

 

[Mark M]

In what way? Same gain or ?

Same A/AB Design

 

[lovinthehd]

Same A/AB Design

That doesn't particularly matter.

 

[Mark M]

That doesn't particularly matter.

Ok. Thanks.
Love to hear from Gene on this one.

 

[lovinthehd]

Ok. Thanks.
Love to hear from Gene on this one.

I hope you hear from many of us. I use combos of AB and D amps, never could tell any difference as long as the amps were sufficient to purpose. Another thought, do you want to limit box size/room to accommodate a particular installation or does the bulk matter at all?

 

[Mark M]

I hope you hear from many of us. I use combos of AB and D amps, never could tell any difference as long as the amps were sufficient to purpose. Another thought, do you want to limit box size/room to accommodate a particular installation or does the bulk matter at all?

I'd prefer less boxes, yes. But I figure the A21+ and A51 have been around a long time (well the a21+ was just discontinued). So why not build around a "tried and true" and timeless a/ab design. I'd be keeping them a long time and they match visually. The AV10 will get changed out before they do. Does the AMP10 match or beat the Parasounds?

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd prefer less boxes, yes. But I figure the A21+ and A51 have been around a long time (well the a21+ was just discontinued). So why not build around a "tried and true" and timeless a/ab design. I'd be keeping them a long time and they match visually. The AV10 will get changed out before they do. Does the AMP10 match or beat the Parasounds?

Never impressed by Parasound, dated a girl who sold for them without a clue as to what they were compared to other gear. Aesthetics are one thing, performance another. I'd prefer to save money myself and still get top flight amplification.

 

[Mark M]

Never impressed by Parasound, dated a girl who sold for them without a clue as to what they were compared to other gear. Aesthetics are one thing, performance another. I'd prefer to save money myself and still get top flight amplification.

What would you choose?

 

[lovinthehd]

What would you choose?

Not Parasound.

 

[Mark M]

Not Parasound.

Right. Got that. Parasound sucks.
What would you choose?

 

[lovinthehd]

Right. Got that. Parasound sucks.
What would you choose?

It doesn't suck particularly but is often overrated/recommended (as well as overpriced). There are so many options out there....so I would start with simple things like how much power for your spl levels are needed, what impedance capabilities, what connectivity/features might be interesting....that sort of thing.