Parasound Halo A21

Pinktulip7
Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
edited January 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
I am planning to upgrade my system so any suggestion will be appreciated..upgrade from Carver M-15T to Parasound Halo A21 ..
TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
Post edited by Pinktulip7 on
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Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2010
    Nice amp...should "future proof" you for many, many years to come. I'm looking at an A21 myself--but later next year.
    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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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited December 2010
    yep agree with steve never really met a parasound I did not like.

    RT1
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  • TG Meat
    TG Meat Posts: 159
    edited December 2010
    I have never used a Carver, but I do like my A21 very much. Plenty of power and has a nice sound. I do not like the smaller trigger inputs(2.5mm vs 3.5mm) though, but that may not bother others.
    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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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2010
    +1, love the Parasound price to sound value for a solid state amp. You will to!

    Enjoy!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • dcmartinpc
    dcmartinpc Posts: 844
    edited December 2010
    It is hard to beat a parasound amp in bang for buck. They are great sounding amps and tend to have lots of power reserves. I have not owned any of the newer generation, but I own for of the HCA series amplifiers and would not part with any of them... I have all Parasound and Polk EVERYWHERE. It is a disease....

    Don
    Living Room: Adcom GFP-750 (Upgraded), Squeezebox Touch, Oppo BDP-83, Pioneer DV-79AVi, Parasound HCA-3500 (Upgraded), SDA SRS 2 P/B (Gimpod, Sonicaps, & Mills)

    Theater: Denon 4311ci, Oppo BDP-93, Parasound HCA-2205+HCA-2200II, Polk LSi9, LSiC, LSiFX, LSi7, Custom 18" TC Sounds sub with 2 18" PR, Sharp XV-Z12000, Pioneer Kuro KRP-500M (isf Enabled)

    Bedroom: HK AVR354, Pioneer DV-47a, Parasound HCA-1500a, Polk LSi9
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2010
    It's hard to beat a Parasound, period.
    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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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited December 2010
    Just ordered it through Audio Advisor....
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • Lietuvis91
    Lietuvis91 Posts: 908
    edited December 2010
    Sick! I want one...

    I really love what the 1500a did for my 2 ch rig. I can only imagine how the 21a would sound... :cool:
    Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:

    M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires

    Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :

    LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited December 2010
    Enjoy Parasound is nice.

    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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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited December 2010
    Finally getting over Carver which serve me for long times....
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited December 2010
    Congrats on your new A21! I know that you will love it. I've had mine now for about 4 years. Ones of the best audio purchases that I ever made. Enjoy!

    HaloA23.jpg
    Carl

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  • Earthy
    Earthy Posts: 488
    edited December 2010
    Welcome to the A21 club!
    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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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited December 2010
    it realy looks fantastic specialy the design of the Amp...
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited December 2010
    Its coming today.......
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2010
    I think you should send it to me, as a good karma gesture. I PM'd my address.
    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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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited December 2010
    schwarcw wrote: »
    Congrats on your new A21! I know that you will love it. I've had mine now for about 4 years. Ones of the best audio purchases that I ever made. Enjoy!

    HaloA23.jpg



    What pre are you running with this Carl ????

    Pink I am looking at the same amp. What did it run you ?? Was it new or used ??? Looks like they got some re-furbs on that site.
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited December 2010
    Vette C6.r wrote: »
    What pre are you running with this Carl ????

    Greetings!

    Thanks for asking! I am using a Rogue 99 Magnum. Sylvania 6SN7 tubes. Very nice sounding preamp. It has about 23 dB of gain if I recall.

    AudioRack3.jpg

    Here is a naked view of the innards!

    Rogue1.jpg

    Rogue5.jpg
    Carl

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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited December 2010
    Wow. Very sexy. A bit out of my price range.

    Did you re-cap them or did it come that way ??
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited December 2010
    The Magnum comes with the Mundorf Gold caps, large power supply, ceramic gold recepticle sockets. I've got an upgraded power cable on both the Parasound and the Rogue. Very nice combo! Thanks for asking!:smile:
    Carl

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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited December 2010
    vette c6.r wrote: »
    what pre are you running with this carl ????

    Pink i am looking at the same amp. What did it run you ?? Was it new or used ??? Looks like they got some re-furbs on that site.
    hk 7300
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited December 2010
    Pinktulip7 wrote: »
    hk 7300

    Not sure what question that answers Pink.
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  • playback
    playback Posts: 101
    edited December 2010
    Hi all, I finaly tried the balanced connection on my A21 and it sounds 25-35% more refined and resolving , while giving up none of the goodies that I loved about it before. Soundstage hieght in particular and excellent low level listening. And this was after adjusting for the 6 db of gain. It also got rid of a faint groud loop hum as well ( slience is truly golden) anyone else find simmilar results ? I also finished my cable upgrades on it as well Morrow's MA3 xlr and the Ps audio AC12. Can you say match made in Heaven:biggrin:
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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited December 2010
    Ordered a A 21 today. Going to take a while but very excited.

    Doubt I'll lose sleep like I did for the SRS's but it's possible.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2010
    A21 owners,


    Does that amp get hot? Is it enclosed cabinet safe or does it need a lot of air flow?


    Thanks
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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited December 2010
    I don't have mine yet but when I asked owners of them they said that as long as you have some room in the enclosure that you are ok.
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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited December 2010
    Vette C6.r wrote: »
    Not sure what question that answers Pink.
    Pre Amp HK 7300:biggrin:
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited December 2010
    I am right now in the process of hooking up the Halo A21..No more Bi-Amp and No more Carver M1.5T
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited December 2010
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    A21 owners,


    Does that amp get hot? Is it enclosed cabinet safe or does it need a lot of air flow?


    Thanks

    This is directly from the Parasound owners guide

    • Place the A 21 on a separate shelf that will adequately support its weight.
    • Keep it away from heat sources such as air ducts or radiators.
    • Avoid placing it on carpeting or another material that might obstruct airflow into the openings
    in the chassis bottom.
    • Leave at least 3” of space around both sides and 6” of space above the top. The bottom
    clearance can be a little less.
    • Do not block the front of the A 21 behind closed cabinet doors during use.
    • Do not stack the A 21 with other components inside a cabinet unless you use a fan to circulate
    and exhaust the warm air that builds up between them.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2010
    Vette C6.r wrote: »
    This is directly from the Parasound owners guide

    • Place the A 21 on a separate shelf that will adequately support its weight.
    • Keep it away from heat sources such as air ducts or radiators.
    • Avoid placing it on carpeting or another material that might obstruct airflow into the openings
    in the chassis bottom.
    • Leave at least 3” of space around both sides and 6” of space above the top. The bottom
    clearance can be a little less.
    • Do not block the front of the A 21 behind closed cabinet doors during use.
    • Do not stack the A 21 with other components inside a cabinet unless you use a fan to circulate
    and exhaust the warm air that builds up between them.


    Thanks
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  • analog97
    analog97 Posts: 328
    edited December 2010
    The A21 generates a very modest amount of heat. In an open rack, mine never gets hot, despite some serious pushing. I have seen them in fairly tight spaces, and I would not hesitate to say it should be fine.
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