Parasound 2100 PreAmp

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tophatjohnny
tophatjohnny Posts: 4,189
edited February 2013 in Electronics
Kicking around the idea of getting rid of the Onkyo TX SR805 and getting the Parasound 2100 to go with my Parasound HCA1200II amp. This a good match/change?? Will I notice a big difference, or do ya think I should just sit tight with the ONK?? I'm not hating the Onk, just looking for an upgrade?? Thanks
"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
*****************************
Post edited by tophatjohnny on
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2013
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    You don't need an excuse to "upgrade" around here. You may not know the Club Polk Mantra yet:

    Separates trump All-in-one receivers! So yeah, you'll hear a difference and once you're done with that you can join H9 in his Quest for the Holy Grail of TUBES! But you have to buy a tube amp first!

    Look, there is NO end to what you can do to your system, but at some point you just have to take a break and make some popcorn. That's what I'm doing! If I didn't stop and make some popcorn, occasionally, I'd just "lose" my mind and I'd be living in a BOX on the street (homeless) but there would be ONE HELL of a STEREO system next to me on that CURB! lol.

    Have fun!

    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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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited February 2013
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    Johnny,the biggest change in my two channel was going separates.I used a NAD avr, it sounded good to my ears I kept reading here about separates.I just had to try it and was grinning ear to ear when I changed.Kind of like when you added your amp,its a ear opening experience.
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,189
    edited February 2013
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    Will I still be able to hook up my cable, and DVD player the same so I can hear my Pandora through the Pre Amp?? If so, I may just do this! Plus the Pre Amp has a remote for my lazy but in the bedroom!
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited February 2013
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    I think there are a few pre's with HT bypass.Im not sure what models maybe another member can help with that,or google and see what comes up.
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited February 2013
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    Checkout the Parasound 2100 owners thread at AVSforum. That will keep ya reading till the morning.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,749
    edited February 2013
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    Oldfatdogs wrote: »
    Johnny,the biggest change in my two channel was going separates.I used a NAD avr, it sounded good to my ears I kept reading here about separates.I just had to try it and was grinning ear to ear when I changed.Kind of like when you added your amp,its a ear opening experience.

    Have you gone tubes? If not thats your next best biggest rabbit hole. I went seperates and tubes and new speakers at the same time on my 2 channel and its someplace I NEVER want to leave.

    If anything its making me want to invest more in the tube rabbit hole...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited February 2013
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    tophatjohnny wrote: »
    Will I still be able to hook up my cable, and DVD player the same so I can hear my Pandora through the Pre Amp?? If so, I may just do this! Plus the Pre Amp has a remote for my lazy but in the bedroom!

    If you use your BluRay (and if it has RCA outs) you can listen to Pandora. There are a few options depending on what outputs you have. I can take a look if you like.
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,189
    edited February 2013
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    deronb1 wrote: »
    If you use your BluRay (and if it has RCA outs) you can listen to Pandora. There are a few options depending on what outputs you have. I can take a look if you like.

    Thanks. Looks like I'd have to say Bye Bye to the HDMI cables??
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,077
    edited February 2013
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    Yep, no hdmi, no digital inputs either, strictly 2 channel. Unless you want a HT pre/pro, but thats more coin.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited February 2013
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    tophatjohnny wrote: »
    Kicking around the idea of getting rid of the Onkyo TX SR805 and getting the Parasound 2100 to go with my Parasound HCA1200II amp. This a good match/change?? Will I notice a big difference, or do ya think I should just sit tight with the ONK?? I'm not hating the Onk, just looking for an upgrade?? Thanks
    One word...Yes!...I just upgraded to the Parasound 2100 about 3 weeks ago the detail of this unit to me stomps anything I have had before.I agree with cnh,and the others "Tubes" for a great two channel set up would be my next step.Like h9 would say they add Soul.
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2013
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    Tankman- considering this pre. Are you using a turntable? IF so how does the phono input sound compare to any stand alone phono pre's you've used? I've seen some critical comments on the Halo line as being to sterile maybe or not warm enough- your thoughts and other gear in your chain would be useful.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited February 2013
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    I have the 2100 in a second system and really like it.Phono stage is great unless you are going high end table and cartridge then i'm sure you'd want a better pre.
    Has lots of nice features.A few changes back i had it mixed in with the AVR setup and it worked beautifully when i wanted to break out 2 channel thru that system.
    Just my 2 cents.
    Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC

    Backup Rig-2 CH-Rogue Audio Zeus w/Factory Special Dark Mods,Joule-Electra 300ME Platinum Preamp,OPPO-105 w/Modwright Tube Mod, Auralic Aries G2.1,Polk 2.3TL,3.1TL's,Dreadnought,RTA-15TL's,1C's All Fully Modded,2xRTA-12c's ,Benchmark DAC3 HGC,Synology NAS,VPI Scout w/Dynavector DV-20XH and Rogue Audio Ares Phono Preamp,Sony PCM-R500 DAT,HHB-850 Pro CDR,Tascam CC-222SLMKII Cassette/CDR,MIT S3.3 Shotgun Cables,Shunyata Hyra-8,Shunyata and Triode Labs Power Cords

    I’M OFFENDED!!!!
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  • blehmbo
    blehmbo Posts: 179
    edited February 2013
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    tophatjohnny wrote: »
    Thanks. Looks like I'd have to say Bye Bye to the HDMI cables??

    The Parasound 2100 has a bypass input that would allow you to use your receiver for HT duties.
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited February 2013
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    Have you gone tubes? If not thats your next best biggest rabbit hole. I went seperates and tubes and new speakers at the same time on my 2 channel and its someplace I NEVER want to leave.

    If anything its making me want to invest more in the tube rabbit hole...

    Yes I went with the Dared 2000a a while back,I still cant believe how smooth things sound.
    Dan
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,077
    edited February 2013
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    Oldfatdogs wrote: »
    Yes I went with the Dared 2000a a while back,I still cant believe how smooth things sound.
    Dan

    Cool Dan, a great bang for your buck when getting into tubes for sure. Someday when your wallet allows, step up to a Rogue, Cary, Conrad Johnson, VTL, Vac, Manley, AR, Bat.....some good steps up can be had if buying used. I know your pretty satisfied now, but just a thought to keep in the back of your brain. This hobby always begs for upgrades.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited February 2013
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    Hey Tony,I have been looking already,there's a BAT on Craig s list in my area.I'm just not ready to sell my truck to get it.:smile:
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,189
    edited February 2013
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    Wow, now I'm hearing that I can't run my DVD player, cable box/TV with just the Parasound 2100 hooked up to my Parasound 2 chanel amp?? This is frustrating!!!!! :confused::confused:
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2013
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    sure you can.... run L & R rca out of each into the pre and then run your video cables either HDMI or Component into the TV and switch inputs on the TV for differant sources.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,189
    edited February 2013
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    I'm trying to figure it out for sure. Thanks
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited February 2013
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    tophatjohnny wrote: »
    Wow, now I'm hearing that I can't run my DVD player, cable box/TV with just the Parasound 2100 hooked up to my Parasound 2 chanel amp?? This is frustrating!!!!! :confused::confused:
    When you do upgrade too a nice per-amp and you get more coin add a nice DAC with a USB port and you will have the best of both worlds..Keep us posted! Like tonyb said gotta luv this hobby.
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited February 2013
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    TNHNDYMAN wrote: »
    Tankman- considering this pre. Are you using a turntable? IF so how does the phono input sound compare to any stand alone phono pre's you've used? I've seen some critical comments on the Halo line as being to sterile maybe or not warm enough- your thoughts and other gear in your chain would be useful.
    That's the one thing that I have found with the reviews on the Halo line being "sterile" it is the mains reason I want too upgrade my amps and I have 3 that I am looking at the Parasound A21,Vincent and maybe EMO's XPA-1 monoblocks but that amp EMO that is I have read is a very"neutral" or sterile"and that's what I am looking to get away from.I like what the Vincent has killer power supply over 5k and lots of headroom and the tubes on the input stage and not a bad price for it too.I think I will give the Vincent a try out soon maybe in about 3 or 4 weeks AA has a 30 day thing on them too.I have been looking into a Turntable too add.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2013
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    I owned that Parasound model last year and it was a significant upgrade over my Pioneer Elite AVR I had at the time. It's a solid unit. The only thing I didn't like was not being able to see where the volume dial was from my listening position. I regret having to move it as my current pre-amp does not equal what I had.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2013
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    I would try a tubed pre as I have wanted to for some time. However, I'm am terrified to try a Integrated. I wouldn't want to clip a tube amp. Period.
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