Any thoughts on the Parasound Halo P3?

audiocr381ve

I'm seriously considering one of these if the funds allow in the next few weeks. It has balanced inputs and outputs (not truly balance) and a phone section which is a big draw for me. I'm really interested in how this unit sounds.

I also have my sights set on a Dared SL2000a but am more drawn to having a preamp with more inputs and a phono section.

Has anyone heard the P3? If so what are your thoughts on it and experience with other gear?

leroyjr1

I've owned the P3 and thought it was a very nice unit for the price. What other gear will you be running with this pre?

Serendipity

The unit sounds very detailed, to my ears. Love the blue lights and elegant front panel. Unfortunately, the top end was a little grainy on both units that I heard. One of them was on Thiel's and the other was on PSB speakers. Great sound, just won't work for me though...

doctor r

I owned a P3 for a short time and had the same impression as Serendipity. The presentation was very detailed, but a little dry with the top end having a slight grain to it. I thought it would improve with time, but there was no audible change after a few months so I felt the need to move on. I replaced it with a passive pre and then a Dared SL2000a (the beginning of my tube addiction). The Dared was very nice and responsive to tube rolling. It necessitated the purchase of a phono pre which I ended up with a tube based AES PH-1 (Cary). Having the two inputs was all I needed in my two channel since I only doing vinyl and CD. This of course could all be system dependent. At the time I was using my Monitor 7bs with the peerless tweeters that are actually not easy to make sound grainy.

audiocr381ve

doctor r wrote: »

I owned a P3 for a short time and had the same impression as Serendipity. The presentation was very detailed, but a little dry with the top end having a slight grain to it. I thought it would improve with time, but there was no audible change after a few months so I felt the need to move on. I replaced it with a passive pre and then a Dared SL2000a (the beginning of my tube addiction). The Dared was very nice and responsive to tube rolling. It necessitated the purchase of a phono pre which I ended up with a tube based AES PH-1 (Cary). Having the two inputs was all I needed in my two channel since I only doing vinyl and CD. This of course could all be system dependent. At the time I was using my Monitor 7bs with the peerless tweeters that are actually not easy to make sound grainy.

Man the Dared preamp keeps coming up. How does it sound compared the parasound?

Leroy, I'll be running the amp into a B&K Ref 200.2 S2 amp. Sources include an old Technics turntable and NAD Cd player. I'm working on a DAC and Squeezbox touch. My wallet absolutely hates me right now.

heiney9

It will "kill" the Parasound in tone, bass, soundstage, air, etc. It's dead quiet. But you don't get a great remote nor do you get the flexibility. You can run a sub since it has dual outputs, but no bass mangement.

You can't really compare the two on paper since they are designed to be used differently in a system.

There is no comparison sound wise, the Dared with the right rectifier and signal tubes will sound a whole lot better. It sounds better than my Adcom GFP-750, by a nose and the 750 is a better sounding pre than the P3. In fact I am amazed at how similar the Dared and 750 sound. The nod going to the extra clarity and depth of soundstage with the tubes. Just a more 3D presentation and vocals are so vivid (like they are in the room) with the Dared. But they are damn close on some material.

The 750 is more neutral and just a tad drier than the Dared. I will say it again, I never expected the Dared to stay so long, it never missteps in my rig and I thoroughly enjoy it. I have no reason to chase another tubed pre at this time.

H9

chandler9a

AudioC, Just get the Dared and let me know how it works for you ... I keep thinking about it too and have a feeling it will be a purchase this year for me.

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

It will "kill" the Parasound in tone, bass, soundstage, air, etc. It's dead quiet. But you don't get a great remote nor do you get the flexibility. You can run a sub since it has dual outputs, but no bass mangement.

You can't really compare the two on paper since they are designed to be used differently in a system.

There is no comparison sound wise, the Dared with the right rectifier and signal tubes will sound a whole lot better. It sounds better than my Adcom GFP-750, by a nose and the 750 is a better sounding pre than the P3. In fact I am amazed at how similar the Dared and 750 sound. The nod going to the extra clarity and depth of soundstage with the tubes. Just a more 3D presentation and vocals are so vivid (like they are in the room) with the Dared. But they are damn close on some material.

The 750 is more neutral and just a tad drier than the Dared. I will say it again, I never expected the Dared to stay so long, it never missteps in my rig and I thoroughly enjoy it. I have no reason to chase another tubed pre at this time.

H9

Wow! I was thinking that if I got the Dared and paired it with a DAC that had multiple inputs then it wouldn't matter that the Dared only had two. There was a Dared on the Klipsch forum for $300 shipped with upgraded NOS tubes that slipped through my hands.

I'm putting this search to rest... I'm going with the Dared.

audiocr381ve

chandler9a wrote: »

AudioC, Just get the Dared and let me know how it works for you ... I keep thinking about it too and have a feeling it will be a purchase this year for me.

Your wish is my command! I'll let you know how it turns out. There is one on Ebay for $375 shipped but doesn't include the remote which is a deal breaker. I'm going to keep my eye out.

chandler9a

Yea I saw that too, I think there is another one as well. I feel like I should buy this type of thing from an authorized dealer, mainly because I know so little about tubes.

Good luck with your search.

audiocr381ve

chandler9a wrote: »

Yea I saw that too, I think there is another one as well. I feel like I should buy this type of thing from an authorized dealer, mainly because I know so little about tubes.

Good luck with your search.

Another one on the Klipsch forum?

If you bump into another one used, let me know.

Serendipity

FYI, I was originally going to go with a Parasound HALO A51/A21 with a C1 or C2 as a pre, but found that the sonic signature of the HALO lineup was too detailed and slightly too grainy for my tastes. As doctor r noted in his post, "At the time I was using my Monitor 7bs with the peerless tweeters that are actually not easy to make sound grainy." YMMV.

Upstatemax

I have the Dared Sl2000a and I LOVE it.

I saw this on Agon:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/467901

Devlon

heiney9 wrote: »

It will "kill" the Parasound in tone, bass, soundstage, air, etc. It's dead quiet. But you don't get a great remote nor do you get the flexibility. You can run a sub since it has dual outputs, but no bass mangement.

You can't really compare the two on paper since they are designed to be used differently in a system.

There is no comparison sound wise, the Dared with the right rectifier and signal tubes will sound a whole lot better. It sounds better than my Adcom GFP-750, by a nose and the 750 is a better sounding pre than the P3. In fact I am amazed at how similar the Dared and 750 sound. The nod going to the extra clarity and depth of soundstage with the tubes. Just a more 3D presentation and vocals are so vivid (like they are in the room) with the Dared. But they are damn close on some material.

The 750 is more neutral and just a tad drier than the Dared. I will say it again, I never expected the Dared to stay so long, it never missteps in my rig and I thoroughly enjoy it. I have no reason to chase another tubed pre at this time.

H9

H9, I've just become aware of the Dared Sl2000A because of your post here. In search on Audiogon I see where there are also MP-7C models. Do you know what the main difference is and do you have any experience with these?