Belles 350A or Parasound Halo A21

Earthy
Earthy Posts: 488
edited December 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
I am seriously considering one of these two amps to power my SDA SRS 2.3TL's. I have been looking for a decent priced A21 for a while, and now think I should consider the Belles 350A. Any thoughts on which would be the better match?
Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL
Parasound Halo A21
Parasound Halo P3

Home theater
Polk LSiM 707, 706c, 703, 705
Polk Blackstone TL3 for height
SVS PB12-ISD Sub
Denon AVR-X6400h
Parasound Halo A51
LG OLED65B7A
Sony UBPX800
Logitech Harmony Elite
PC LSiM 703
Spare LSIM 702 and 706c

Home Theater #2
Polk Audio LS70, CS350LS, LSF/X, S4
Onkyo TX-NR808



Post edited by Earthy on
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Comments

  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2010
    Belles 350a. If the Reference, even better. I had the base model and upgraded to Ref. The base is actually a very nice amp; Neutral and can handle any load. The Ref. adds a tad more detail maybe, and lots of more bass.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Earthy
    Earthy Posts: 488
    edited November 2010
    I think the Reference is out of my price range. I am most interested in how the base model would stack up.

    Thanks for the feedback.
    Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL
    Parasound Halo A21
    Parasound Halo P3

    Home theater
    Polk LSiM 707, 706c, 703, 705
    Polk Blackstone TL3 for height
    SVS PB12-ISD Sub
    Denon AVR-X6400h
    Parasound Halo A51
    LG OLED65B7A
    Sony UBPX800
    Logitech Harmony Elite
    PC LSiM 703
    Spare LSIM 702 and 706c

    Home Theater #2
    Polk Audio LS70, CS350LS, LSF/X, S4
    Onkyo TX-NR808



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  • TG Meat
    TG Meat Posts: 159
    edited November 2010
    I have not heard the Belles, but the Parasound is a very nice amp. Powerful and refined. Some say the a21 gives about 75% of the JC1's performance, although I'm not sure about that, I heard the JC1's twice and loved them, but I dont have room for two mono blocks.
    Anthem D2v
    NAD M50 Music Server
    B & K Reference 200.5
    Parasound A21
    B & W 804 (Mains)
    B & W HTM1 (Center)
    Polk Rti4 (Surrounds)
    PS3
    Seaton Submersive HP
    Pioneer PDP 6010FD Kuro
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited November 2010
    Belles over Parasound IMHO. Reference is better than standard but Standard is a real nice amp.
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited November 2010
    I think you're trying to compare Apples to Oranges :wink:

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • Earthy
    Earthy Posts: 488
    edited November 2010
    So would the Belles OCM 800 even fit in this fruit basket? My first choice would be the A21, but there are a couple of Belles in my area for sale so that's the main reason I ask.
    Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL
    Parasound Halo A21
    Parasound Halo P3

    Home theater
    Polk LSiM 707, 706c, 703, 705
    Polk Blackstone TL3 for height
    SVS PB12-ISD Sub
    Denon AVR-X6400h
    Parasound Halo A51
    LG OLED65B7A
    Sony UBPX800
    Logitech Harmony Elite
    PC LSiM 703
    Spare LSIM 702 and 706c

    Home Theater #2
    Polk Audio LS70, CS350LS, LSF/X, S4
    Onkyo TX-NR808



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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited November 2010
    I think if nothing else, you could get the Belles and resale it if you didn't like it over a Halo A21 amp. I may give the edge to the Halo A21 amp myself, but maybe happy either way if I didn't compare one for one.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited November 2010
    what are their prices if you dont mind me asking?
    mole'
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  • Earthy
    Earthy Posts: 488
    edited November 2010
    I can get the 350A for $1800, but I have seen several A21's go for $1100 to $1300 recently so that's my target range on it. Now that I read about the OCM 800, ($1000) I am not really interested in it.
    Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL
    Parasound Halo A21
    Parasound Halo P3

    Home theater
    Polk LSiM 707, 706c, 703, 705
    Polk Blackstone TL3 for height
    SVS PB12-ISD Sub
    Denon AVR-X6400h
    Parasound Halo A51
    LG OLED65B7A
    Sony UBPX800
    Logitech Harmony Elite
    PC LSiM 703
    Spare LSIM 702 and 706c

    Home Theater #2
    Polk Audio LS70, CS350LS, LSF/X, S4
    Onkyo TX-NR808



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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2010
    $1,800 is too much for the 350. You can get a reference for $2,200ish.

    If you can get the base 350 for $1,300ish then I would buy it, but not more than that.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Earthy
    Earthy Posts: 488
    edited November 2010
    Really, looking on agon, I figured that $1800 might be a good price. I do see one for $1495, but local only far away. If I saw a ref for $2200 I might be tempted. AG's price history must mix the ref and base.
    Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL
    Parasound Halo A21
    Parasound Halo P3

    Home theater
    Polk LSiM 707, 706c, 703, 705
    Polk Blackstone TL3 for height
    SVS PB12-ISD Sub
    Denon AVR-X6400h
    Parasound Halo A51
    LG OLED65B7A
    Sony UBPX800
    Logitech Harmony Elite
    PC LSiM 703
    Spare LSIM 702 and 706c

    Home Theater #2
    Polk Audio LS70, CS350LS, LSF/X, S4
    Onkyo TX-NR808



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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited November 2010
    I've used an A21 to power my 2.3's and it sounds superb. Plenty of headroom. The amp itself is a beast! Parasound service is first class. I'm sure the Belles is also a very nice amp. Go with the "silver"!!!


    HaloA23.jpg
    Carl

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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2010
    I'm sure the Belles is a very fine amp (especially the Reference), but the Halo A21 is also quite a performer, especially for the money. I looked at both, and ended up going for the Parasound. I couldn't find a Belles for anywhere close to $1300, but plenty of A21 came up in that range. I don't think you would be disappointed with either.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2010
    Agree, I doubt the Belles and Halo are an apples/oranges comparison--It would be more along the lines of personal preference in tone. The Halo series is pretty damn formidable.

    My HCA performed very well against a $3k Cary; differences were there, but very subtle.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Earthy
    Earthy Posts: 488
    edited November 2010
    I got lucky and found a super deal on an A21 and P3. Now to focus on updating my 2.3TL's so everything can be burning in at the same time. I might even buy some of those Pangea power cords. From everything I have read, I think this will be the last amp I buy for a very long time. I am fairly happy with my Adcom, so any improvement in quality will seal it's longevity.

    Thanks for the feedback everyone!
    Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL
    Parasound Halo A21
    Parasound Halo P3

    Home theater
    Polk LSiM 707, 706c, 703, 705
    Polk Blackstone TL3 for height
    SVS PB12-ISD Sub
    Denon AVR-X6400h
    Parasound Halo A51
    LG OLED65B7A
    Sony UBPX800
    Logitech Harmony Elite
    PC LSiM 703
    Spare LSIM 702 and 706c

    Home Theater #2
    Polk Audio LS70, CS350LS, LSF/X, S4
    Onkyo TX-NR808



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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2010
    Great purchase. I am biased to the Belles but the Parasound is also an excellent amp.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited November 2010
    I may sell my Belles 350a in the near future. Not due to performance but to lack to time listening to my system. That said my upgraded Anthem Pre2L and Musical Fidelity A5 CDP may also go. Hell I may as well sell my Sonus Faber Grand Piano Domus too!!
    Just no time and place for now here in Rhode Island.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2010
    Belles
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • ecod123
    ecod123 Posts: 379
    edited November 2010
    Congrats on a fine choice. The Belles, especially the reference would also be a fine choice but there is the price difference. Enjoy and let us know how you like the new gears.
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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited December 2010
    schwarcw wrote: »
    I've used an A21 to power my 2.3's and it sounds superb. Plenty of headroom. The amp itself is a beast! Parasound service is first class. I'm sure the Belles is also a very nice amp. Go with the "silver"!!!


    HaloA23.jpg



    Shwarcw. What pre are you using with the A21 ???
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited December 2010
    Rogue Model 99 Magnum. Sylvania 6SN7 gain tubes. This pre provides about 22 dB of gain, IIRC. Sounds fine!!!!
    Carl

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