Parasound for main HT.

[Sleestack]

I'm thinking about using the Parasound C1, A51 and a pair of JC1 monoblocks for my main HT system. I want a system that is excellent for music, both 2 channel an multichannel. I won't be running video sources through it, so I don't care about upconversion. Any input on this combination or thoughts about alternative combinations in the same price range? Any reason not to go with the Parasound products?

 

[nm2285]

Parasound has quite a good reputation. I don't think you could go wrong with their stuff. Check out also Anthem and Rotel as alternates.

 

[Sleestack]

Thanks for the input. The Anthem pre/pro was just a bitt too busy looking for me. I'm checking out the Rotel, but I'm pretty sure I'll be going with the Parasound combo.

Anyone else have input on the Parasound gear before I take the plunge?

 

[VS540]

I don't have any actual experience with Parasound, but they only get great write up's, and (imho) look oh so classy and sweet.

The JC-1 is a very highly praised mono-block, http://www.parasound.com/halonew/reviews.php#JC1

I don't think you could even come close to going wrong with the higher end Parasound gear.

Plus, I would guess a pair of JC-1's driving your Onix Ref 3's would be would be some sweet sound.

 

[brushro]

i've owned Parasound & Rotel & still do,BUT wish i could unload them for the Sherbourne unit...happy hunting & listening

 

[jaxvon]

Have you read the Audioholics Reviews?

There's also the amp reviews.

 

[Sleestack]

Have you read the Audioholics Reviews?

There's also the amp reviews.

Yes, but I wanted some user feedback. Thanks anyway. In any case, it is a done deal. I ordered the C1 and A51 for starters.

 

[Sleestack]

I don't think you could even come close to going wrong with the higher end Parasound gear.

Plus, I would guess a pair of JC-1's driving your Onix Ref 3's would be would be some sweet sound.

I'm not sure which speakers are going to end up being used with the Parasound pieces. For now, they will be hooked up to the Def. Tech. setup in my office (BP70001SC, CLR3000, BPVX). Eventually they will be used in my main HT. I'm still in shock over how good the Ref. 3s sound at their $4500 price tag. If the upcoming Strata Grande's sound anywhere near as good as they look, I might get 7 of those.

 

[9f9c7z]

I’m using a Parasound C2 and A52…and there’s a A23 around here, too. When I inquired of Parasound if there was any difference in the sound of the A52 and A51 amps they said there shouldn’t be, just one was designed to have more horsepower than the other. I have since read that John Curl(?), the amps designer, said the components in the A51 were of a higher quality than the A52. Parasound denies it. Who cares…

The JC1 is the only Parasound Halo amp with true balanced inputs. All the other Halo amps have a quasi-balanced input scheme. You should call Parasound (866) 770-8324 (ext 2 or 4) to get the specifics if it’s important to you.

Fwiw, the A52 is supposed to have 225watts/channel at 4ohms available. I used the C2’s auto setup to set the spl and delay for the Vienna Acoustic speakers. With the volume set at –10db I can’t be in the room (18x24x9ft ceiling), too loud. At –15db the bass on Louise Hoffsten’s ‘Knackebröd Blues’ CD is moving stuff around in the room and I don’t have a subwoofer. I don’t have a clue how much of that 225watts is being used but your A51 will likely be more than enough umph for where ever you are going with your audio system.

When you get your C1 you have some work ahead of you. You may want to get an RS232 cable and download the Halo C* upgrades from Parasound’s website. You should read Parasound’s notes regarding which cable to get. The upgrade will allow a more refined bass and treble management scheme, upgrade from a 48khz sampling rate to a 96khz rate, different/selectable frequency zones for bass and treble controls, bass management crossover is expanded to work from 20hz to 200hz in 5hz steps, 7.1 surround is enable with a smorgasbord of appropriate 7.1 formats, Dobly-ex DTS-es and whatever THX are tossed in. You may not care but it also enables a lip-sync function for audio/video applications.

The remote that comes with the Halo pre/pros is pretty good. There is lots of info for programming it on the Halo download webpage. There is also a warning not to use the manf’s original/generic software, only use Parasound’s version. Just so you know, the only difference is that Parasound programmed the ‘on’ and ‘off’ buttons different (reversed) from the generic s/w. If you use the current/updated s/w version from the Universal Remote website you will need to re-assign those two button…no big deal.

When you get all that Parasound stuff installed and working get your hands on a copy of ‘Unearthed’ by E.S. Posthumus, sit back and just listen. It is the product of two brothers, one a conductor/musician and one a recording studio engineer. You will hear more of the audio spectrum from 2 speakers than you ever thought possible. And it’s good music, too!


Listen to the MP3 of ‘Anitssa’ and ‘Ebla’ here:
http://www.wigshoprecords.com/downloads.html

http://www.esposthumus.com/

 

[Sleestack]

Thank you for the valuable input. I get more excited about my 2 channel setup, but I'm definitely looking forward to hearing and seeing the Parasound products. I'm familiar with the remote b/c my B&K uses the same one. It isn't perfect, but I 'm pretty happy with it.

 

[Sleestack]

Does your A52 run pretty hot? I think i'm going to need a new rack. The A51 and C1 seem large and I am assuming the A51 runs hot.

Nobody seems to use the C1/A51 combo on this board. I hope that isn't a bad sign.

 

[LEVESQUE]

I was able to compare the Parasound C1/A51 to the Anthem D1/P5 and did prefer the Anthem combo.

To my ears, in my room the Anthem combo was better.

Don't forget that the D1 is now at HDMI for the last minute approvals and that the hardware upgrade should roll-on in july.

HDMI 1.1, 4 HDMI in and 1 out, and a really powerful scaler based on one of the newest chip on the market. There is alot of talk (rumors) on the net that it will be Realta HQV (found only on the Denon 5910), but it's still not confirmed by Anthem. This scaler will also be able to take 480i to 1080p IN and OUT, and this will be useful for alot of time.

IMHO, the Parasound combo is a sweet sounding system, but it will lag behind the Anthem combo for sound quality (to my ears) and, very soon, technology wise also.

 

[Sleestack]

I was able to compare the Parasound C1/A51 to the Anthem D1/P5 and did prefer the Anthem combo.

To my ears, in my room the Anthem combo was better.

Don't forget that the D1 is now at HDMI for the last minute approvals and that the hardware upgrade should roll-on in july.

HDMI 1.1, 4 HDMI in and 1 out, and a really powerful scaler based on one of the newest chip on the market. There is alot of talk (rumors) on the net that it will be Realta HQV (found only on the Denon 5910), but it's still not confirmed by Anthem. This scaler will also be able to take 480i to 1080p IN and OUT, and this will be useful for alot of time.

IMHO, the Parasound combo is a sweet sounding system, but it will lag behind the Anthem combo for sound quality (to my ears) and, very soon, technology wise also.

I checked out the Anthem stuff, but really did not like the aesthetics of their products. A bit too busy for me. Also, the custom installer I am working with (who knows my tastes very well) recommended the Parasound combo over the Anthem, Rotel and Denon 5805. As far as video scaling goes, I don't need it. I always run my video sources direct. On the audio end, it is my understanding that most features have been or will be uprgradeable via firmware.


I appreciate the input, but at this point, I have decided on the A51/C1 combo. I'm sure I wouldn't go wrong with any of the choices available to me, but something about the design of the C1 and the reviews of the A51 and JC1 have me stuck on Parasound.

 

[9f9c7z]

Yes, the A52 and A23 both run hotter than I would have expected, even at idle. Actually, the C2 is hotter than I thought, too. Even in standby mode the C2 is like a little heater, the amps are cold. They definitely need the headroom above the units for ventilation. Don’t even think about stacking them on top of each other.

I agree about the appearance of the Anthem products. They scared the crap out of the little lady. She doesn’t share the same affinity for buttons that I do.


As far as Anthem’s HDMI interface, when I spoke with their engineering dept a couple months ago, the feedback I got was that they were not optimistic about the ability to produce a quality result, but they were working at it. Not that Anthem wasn’t capable, but they discovered most manfs of HDMI were not keeping to spec, not all HDMI’s were working with the Anthem upgrade at that time. They said Denon products they evaluated fully comply with HDMI specs. Denon+Anthem HDMI upgrade should be a beautiful thing.


All that Anthem would tell me about the chipset is that it is something normally found only in commercial products, not consumer products.

Also, if you have an Anthem, the cost of that HDMI upgrade is going to blow your socks off!!! Local dealers will be able to do the install so you won’t need to send your pre/pro all the way back to the factor for the h/w. But at $1500 you could get your hands on an external DVDO for less, or even better, you are well on your way to the cost of a Crystalio scaler.

Any difference between the sounds from the Anthem and the Parasound were lost on me, but I didn’t hear them next to each other, either. And as long as I don’t, it will never be an issue. I did hear an Anthem next to an Arcam, the sound of the Arcam was preferred.