Amplifier for LSiM707 - Parasound A21? Any updates to this amp?

kkdigger

I bought a pair of LSiM707's and have really been loving them. My amp at the time I got them was a B&K AV5000 pushing 100w per channel. The speakers seem pretty power hungry and the B&K wasn't cutting it so I picked up an Adcom 555II (mint!) for $250 locally. I'm fairly happy with the Adcom, but I bought it with the intentions of it being a temp till I find what I really want.

I've had a lust for the Parasound A21 for many years now and that is what I'm leaning toward. Here's my dilemma though - Parasound has been producing this exact amp without any changes for almost 10 years now. It retailed brand new at $2000 and a decade later I can't find a used unit for less than $1500. Does anyone have any idea if or when Parasound plans on coming out with a new version? I'd hate to buy one then they come out with a upgraded one in 6 months and mine is worth half what I paid.

I'm also half tempted to pick up an Emo XPA-2 on sale right now for $800. Problem is, I've never heard one and anything I read is so polarizing love it or hate it, one star or five stars. It drives me crazy I cant find a level headed review or comparison to other hi-fi amps.

Also, my Pre-Pro right now is a B&K Ref 20. I think I'm pretty happy with it, but honestly I have no idea what I'm missing (if anything) to upgrade that to a Integra 80.3 or Marantz 8801?

My only reason to upgrade any component right now would be for higher quality music, I'm completely satisfied with my current system for movies.

Where do you think I'd find the biggest improvement for music in my system?

Thoughts? I'm open to any suggestions.

kkdigger

I see a A21 in the for sale section but I'm not allowed to see it with only 2 posts. Anyone mind telling me how much he wants for it? Thanks!

marvda1

$1500+shipping

pretzelfisch

One nice thing with emotiva is they have a 30 day return. Try it if you don't like it return it.

If your looking for the next big improvement, you probably want to look into room treatments.

F1nut

It retailed brand new at $2000 and a decade later I can't find a used unit for less than $1500. Does anyone have any idea if or when Parasound plans on coming out with a new version? I'd hate to buy one then they come out with a upgraded one in 6 months and mine is worth half what I paid.

If you keep looking at audio gear that way you'll never buy anything. Buy the Parasound and be happy.

chumlie

2nd the Parasound.

kkdigger

F1nut wrote: »

If you keep looking at audio gear that way you'll never buy anything. Buy the Parasound and be happy.

How Clever! ...except it's not that simple. It hasn't been until just very recently that I've been able to afford an amp like the Parasound. I'd think it's probably fairly common around here for people to dream about equipment outside of their budget hoping it will one day be within their budget. Am I not being reasonable to ask if anyone knows about planned updates to a 10 year old model? Just thought I'd ask a few enthusiests for their thoughts, thats all.

chumlie

I doubt their going to bring out a new model. The A21 has been going strong for a reason. And if by some off chance i'm wrong. It will not decrease in value the way you think. Give Parasound a call, there CS is great. They will tell you what there working on, if anything.

kkdigger

chumlie wrote: »

I doubt their going to bring out a new model. The A21 has been going strong for a reason. And if by some off chance i'm wrong. It will not decrease in value the way you think. Give Parasound a call, there CS is great. They will tell you what there working on, if anything.

Cool, thank you. I think I will give them a call.

cfrizz

Welcome Kkdigger!

By all means call Parasound, but also if you have always wanted an A21 then get it. It will give you years of enjoyment and will be money well spent since it is always what you wanted.

Jason_k

Haven't heard of any updates but I think Parasound makes minor tweaks to there line from time to time. I bought one last year, no regrets.

WLDock

If I had the cash and a set of 707's I would not only pick up that A21, but that BAT VK-30 tube pre amp as well!

As far as resale....the thing that you are missing is.....even if an improved Halo comes out the day after you buy this one it is not going to cost $1400! Are you willing to pay closer to the $2300 retail? The chance of something besting this decade old model means that it 'Might" have a slightly higher MSRP? I have yet to see any "killer" deals on new Halo products. IMO, every hundred saved is money that could be put towards something else. A new A21 right now might cost about $1900 at the lowest...that's $500 that could go towards a used Oppo 95 for example.

The Halo is the one I want to buy someday.....but $1400 is a chunk of change right now for some of us.

billbillw

Hope its not a conflict of interest since I am the seller, but good quality audio gear never depreciates beyond a certain point. Once the initial hit from new to used comes, the value is pretty stable until it is obsolete or the functionality starts to diminish (ie: it needs to be repaired or rebuilt). Amplifier technology hasn't really advanced much in the last 20 years when you are talking about standard class A/AB amps. Obviously the digital amps are a different story.

The Halo A21 is still a very competitive amp in its price range (new), so there would be no reason for Parasound to replace it. Even if they did, the value of a used A21 would not change significantly because any new/improved model from Parasound would certainly be more expensive.

F1nut

kkdigger wrote: »

How Clever! ...except it's not that simple.

Thanks and yes, it is. :cool:

erniejade

billbillw wrote: »

quality audio gear never depreciates beyond a certain point. Once the initial hit from new to used comes, the value is pretty stable until it is obsolete or the functionality starts to diminish (ie: it needs to be repaired or rebuilt).

This is a true statement. Look at this amp, McIntosh, some of the carver/sunfire stuff, they seem to hold value just like Classe or Krell. If you do not over pay for it to begin with, you can usually sell a solid piece for close if not the same price as you paid. A lot of us here give polkies a little break on price so we can continue doing this. A lot of us here change gear a lot just to hear if it sounds better or can we hear a difference and its not that we are rich, we just buy a quality piece of used gear and try it, if it sounds better we keep it and sell the old piece. If not, we resell it and try again!

Sumerian

+1 for Parasound Amp

tonyb

erniejade wrote: »

This is a true statement. Look at this amp, McIntosh, some of the carver/sunfire stuff, they seem to hold value just like Classe or Krell. If you do not over pay for it to begin with, you can usually sell a solid piece for close if not the same price as you paid. A lot of us here give polkies a little break on price so we can continue doing this. A lot of us here change gear a lot just to hear if it sounds better or can we hear a difference and its not that we are rich, we just buy a quality piece of used gear and try it, if it sounds better we keep it and sell the old piece. If not, we resell it and try again!

Amen bro.....plus here you have a history of the piece, threads from different owners, what worked well....what didn't. In addition most members here also take care of their gear, don't abuse it. Can you say the same for buying stuff on Ebay ?

agco

Id just buy it new

tratliff

I purchased a used A21 a few months back to power my SDA SRS's. Could not be happier. Great quality piece of equipment.

Mike Reeter

I lust for the Black A21....oooooooooooooooohhhhh baby

chriscorv58

I just picked up a black parasound a21 to pair with my polk lsim703s. The amplifier is night and day better than my now retired acurus a250. The a21 brings back that sensation of wanting to listen to my CDs all over again. I've noticed huge improvements in imaging, soundstage and low and mid range frequencys. There is absolutely no comparison to a standard receiver or my old acurus, I don't listen at very loud levels 75-80db and the speskers just sing to me. I highly recommend this amplifier, it does have a warm sound I feel that it compliments the polks perfectly.

tonyb

Atta Boy....nice amp, nice choice. We don't recommend junk around here and now your ears know why. Congrats

MarkTX

I have an A21 hooked up to my SRT's. I've cranked that amp several times to "blast" certain parts of songs or movie parts and i've never seen the clip lights even remotely flash. Both are for sale, but not interested in shipping I will say however Parasound has superb customer service. I bought this amp from the original owner and noticed two resiistors under the cover that for one reason or another the legs were starting to corrode. I contacted parasound and they sent me the resistors on the house. Later on the little P in the middle of the amp went out, i contacted them and they sent me the part again free of charge.

drumminman

Solid advice here kkdigger. A good amp can truly make your system come alive. Make the leap and you won't be disappointed.