Preamp for a Parasound amp? Help please!

[cameron paterson]

I have a Parasound Halo A21 amp but I want to use balanced inputs on it. What is a decent pre amp for 350 or so used that will run just my 2 front speakers with this amp? Thanks guys for your time!

 

[John Parks]

Off the top of my head, this one from SMSL:
Amazon.com: SMSL HO200 Hi-Res Balanced Headphone Amplifier Low Noise 4xPLFC RCA/XLR Input 6.35mm 4.4mm XLR Balanced Output HiFi Preamp Headphone Amplifiers with High Mid Low Gain Control for AO200 : Electronics
$399, but with $60 coupon, brings it down to $349. Limited on inputs, though - one RCA, one XLR.

 

[cameron paterson]

Thats for headphones... Can I run my Denon AVR with a different preamp together? Or do I have to run a single preamp? I was thinking of an 11ch Emotiva and not using the 2 front inputs on the Emotiva. And using the Parasound for the 2 front speakers with a different preamp than my Denon AVR? Would this work?

 

[John Parks]

It also functions as a stereo preamp:

As for AVRs, I'll let someone else answer that as I don't know/care much about them.

 

[its phillip]

Off the top of my head, this one from SMSL:
Amazon.com: SMSL HO200 Hi-Res Balanced Headphone Amplifier Low Noise 4xPLFC RCA/XLR Input 6.35mm 4.4mm XLR Balanced Output HiFi Preamp Headphone Amplifiers with High Mid Low Gain Control for AO200 : Electronics
$399, but with $60 coupon, brings it down to $349. Limited on inputs, though - one RCA, one XLR.

Could also use the corresponding DAC as a preamp

https://www.amazon.com/DO200-MKII-Balanced-ES9068AS-Bluetooth5-0/dp/B0BFHD1RF4/

 

[ban25]

If I understand correctly, you want to use a Denon AVR as a source and the Parasound Halo A21 as an amp for your front L and R speakers. There's no point in using balanced inputs if you aren't going balanced end-to-end through the chain. Even then, the benefit would only be in enabling a longer run. So, TLDR, just use the unbalanced RCAs.

 

[lovinthehd]

If using a Denon there's no point to having a balanced input let alone another pre-amp besides the Denon. If you just need a 2ch balanced pre-amp then SMSL or Topping etc should have a suitable unit for 2ch use in your budget (even if primarily intended for headphones it can still work fine as a pre-amp). Just use the unbalanced inputs on the amp....

 

[cameron paterson]

Whats TLDR and SMSL or Topping. Why do you say theres no point in having a balanced input if I have a Denon? Are Denon AVR's good pre amps?

 

[lovinthehd]

TLDR generally means too long didnt read. SMSL and Topping are brands of electronic audio gear. The Denon has no balanced outputs, so no point to use a balanced connection if the Denon is in the mix. The Denon makes a good pre-amp if it has a full set of pre-outs.

 

[cameron paterson]

My Denon has a full set of pre-outs but I will only be using the 2 front speakers pre-outs. My surround speakers don't need much power.

 

[lovinthehd]

My Denon has a full set of pre-outs but I will only be using the 2 front speakers pre-outs. My surround speakers don't need much power.

Just connect the pre-outs to the unbalanced inputs on your amp....

 

[cameron paterson]

Ok

 

[cameron paterson]

Question. How do I run audyssey with this amp in the mix? I will hook it up to my Denon AVR through rcas and then run the rcas to the amp then wires to speakers. What do I do for audyssey? And make sure the original speaker wire isn't hooked up to to the AVR? Thanks for your help!

 

[lovinthehd]

Question. How do I run audyssey with this amp in the mix? I will hook it up to my Denon AVR through rcas and then run the rcas to the amp then wires to speakers. What do I do for audyssey? And make sure the original speaker wire isn't hooked up to to the AVR? Thanks for your help!

Just run Audyssey now, and of course don't also connect the avr amp for those speakers....

 

[cameron paterson]

Question. How do I run audyssey with this amp in the mix? I will hook it up to my Denon AVR through rcas and then run the rcas to the amp then wires to speakers. What do I do for audyssey? And make sure the original speaker wire isn't hooked up to to the AVR? Thanks for your help!

 

[lovinthehd]

Question. How do I run audyssey with this amp in the mix? I will hook it up to my Denon AVR through rcas and then run the rcas to the amp then wires to speakers. What do I do for audyssey? And make sure the original speaker wire isn't hooked up to to the AVR? Thanks for your help!

Just run Audyssey now.

 

[cameron paterson]

Sorry wrote that twice...