Parasound Halo A21 or Rogue Audio Stereo 90 amp

dhart86

As usual, I can't make a decision until I get some feedback from my bros here at the polk forum.

I have the Rogue Stereo 90 amp and 99 magnum pre combo. Sounds pretty sweet, but I was thinking about a ss amp and am thinking about the parasound A21 amp. I know some are familiar with both amps here, so I was hoping that you could weigh in with your thoughts as I have to make a decision soon.

All feedback is appreciated

voltz

wow that is a sweet Rogue setup! but just some info on a nice deal from AA, they have some blemished & refurbish A21s for under 2k. not that I'm trying to get you to buy them..just some price info.
do a search on audio advisor and type in PAHA21

Mikey081057

I have the A21 and don't have a comparison to the Rogue.

I can only comment on the A21 using the P5 pre on my SDA SRS 2.3's.

Huge deep soundstage with big accurate bass. Not grainy or forward and plays any genre with no effort. No longer listen to my tube amp as much of what I like about tubes is produced by the A21.

I purchased a B stock from AA and cannot find any marks on it.... not even sure it was a B they shipped my as it didn't sat it was anywhere.

Like any of the John Curl inspired Parasound units it is a sure winner and has been reviewed by many who say it performs way above it's price point.

But hearing is believing and get your ears on it so you can make a decision you can live with.

WLDock

Rogue pre and A21 is in my sites. Never heard the combo but having heard the higher end Rogue pre and feedback on A21....the combo sounds like it might give me what I'm after. I say go for it! You never know unless you try it. Would love to find a nice used 99 at some point myself.

Man do I want to listen to the P5 pre...mated with the A21!!!!!!!!

Heck, I just put down the AA fall clearance catalog...but only have Pangea AC-14SE money now.

dhart86

voltz wrote: »

wow that is a sweet Rogue setup! but just some info on a nice deal from AA, they have some blemished & refurbish A21s for under 2k. not that I'm trying to get you to buy them..just some price info.
do a search on audio advisor and type in PAHA21

Thanks Voltz.....appreciate the info. I just got my AA clearance catalog in the mail, but didnt get a chance to look thru it. People like you make this forum what it is

dhart86

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Huge deep soundstage with big accurate bass. Not grainy or forward and plays any genre with no effort. No longer listen to my tube amp as much of what I like about tubes is produced by the A21.

Mikey......That is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for. Even though you can't give an apples to apples compare.....I know you appreciate tubes, as I do as well
So thanks very helpful

dhart86

WLDock wrote: »

Heck, I just put down the AA fall clearance catalog...but only have Pangea AC-14SE money now.

LMAO

dhart86

DSkip wrote: »

What speakers are you pushing? That's going to be the biggest determinant.

DSKIP.....know u luv your Ushers (lol)

Right now my speakers are the LSIM 705's and SDA 1c's

AsSiMiLaTeD

The A21 is a damn fine amp, but I can't compare directly to the Rogue. Parasounds are on the warmer side of things as SS amps go so shouldn't be too much of a departure in signature from the Rogue. You won't be fooled into thinking it's a tube amp, but I think they're a great option for someone wanting to transition away from a tube amp.

They're my favorite SS amps not because they're the best overall, but because to get something that I would like better would cost quite a bit more money. They also have excellent support here in the US, and there's something about the simplicity of their designs that I like.

I love the idea of tubes, love how they look and love how they sound. But I love the versatility, simplicity and convenience of a good SS amp. Parasound is a great option for someone like me, and I had no regrets transitioning away from my tube gear. I started with the A23 which is actually better than it should be at that price, and moved up to the A21 and am still loving it.

Mike Reeter

Hey Darren, You know I'm thinking along the same line as you are, A21 or St.90/100.

You might consider having Rogue upgrade your current 90 to a Magnum version and dropping in the KT-120 power tubes, they made a major difference in the output of my Cronus.

On the other hand, the Black A21 is just drop dead gorgeous and would drive your speakers with ease.

Good luck! I don't think you can go wrong with either amp!

erniejade

I have heard both but not side by side and not with the same rig. The way people on here are describing the A21 is dead on. Wamer, pleasing but accurate. More tube like then some tube equipment! The Rogue sounded wonderful as well. I actually thought the Roge was more fwd sounding vs the A21 but, again, 2 different rigs and speakers. I heard the Rogue on a set of Joseph Pulsar and the A21 on Vandersteen 2ce sig II.

I don't think you can go wrong with either rig. If you plan on changing speakers, the A21 might be a better way to go so you never have to worry about not having enough power. Are you looking for just for now or 10 year plan?

tonyb

The Pulsars are a mighty fine speaker too, some of you guys should get an ear on those puppies as well.

voltz

Always glad to help. I have a mc100b tube amp and been using it like mad for awhile, so the other day I went back to my Vincent Hybrid SS amp and wow I like it more then I ever had Tubes are Cool - but my Vincent Rocks the house

voltz

I have some Mullard Kt-88's & Tung-sol 6sn7gtb's. well thats hard for me to describe the sound difference, but it maybe just a nice change up from the tubes. I think the sound was tighter and the bass not so loose. I have looked at some treasures but havent made my mind up on the cost of these tubes.

dhart86

voltz wrote: »

I have some Mullard Kt-88's & Tung-sol 6sn7gtb's. well thats hard for me to describe the sound difference, but it maybe just a nice change up from the tubes. I think the sound was tighter and the bass not so loose. I have looked at some treasures but havent made my mind up on the cost of these tubes.

Voltz.....If you become interested in the Shuguang Black Treasure tubes
I have a Brand New in Premium Gift Box, quad of treasure KT-88z tubes from Grant Fidelity.

I purchased them as a back-ups for my Rogue Stereo 90. But since I may be selling that amp, for the Parasound, I wont be needing them. If you become interested, I could let them go to you for a discount. They were only used for about 10 hrs to bias up to make sure that all tubes were in good condition when I purchased them. Let me know

voltz

thanks for the tips Skip
I will try moving them more away and finding a better position for them and see how that goes, plus I think I'll take a look at dhart86'ss treasures (liking trying new ones too) part of learning to get the sound better my 12ax7's in my silk are Mullards also.
I also have to watch myself that I'm not imagining something sounds better when it is just sounding different!

dhart86

Mike,
I have thought about the Rogue upgrade.....but I've always wanted to try the A21 in my rig

dhart86

erniejade wrote: »

I have heard both but not side by side and not with the same rig. The way people on here are describing the A21 is dead on. Wamer, pleasing but accurate. More tube like then some tube equipment! The Rogue sounded wonderful as well. I actually thought the Roge was more fwd sounding vs the A21 but, again, 2 different rigs and speakers. I heard the Rogue on a set of Joseph Pulsar and the A21 on Vandersteen 2ce sig II.

I don't think you can go wrong with either rig. If you plan on changing speakers, the A21 might be a better way to go so you never have to worry about not having enough power. Are you looking for just for now or 10 year plan?

Looking for more long-term commitment

Mike Reeter

dhart86 wrote: »

Mike,
I have thought about the Rogue upgrade.....but I've always wanted to try the A21 in my rig

I wish you would so you could report back with your findings and comparisons, Mikey081057 seems to be very happy with his A21 driving SDA's.

dhart86

Well guys the Rogue Stereo 90 left the house about an hour ago and I am already feeling like I made a mistake. I already miss it. The buyer drove down from Brooklyn. NY. said he was at a music festival recently and met Mark O'Brien. This peaked his interest in Rogue Amp.

He bought some of his reference CD's and kept commenting on how great the rig sounded. He could not get over that fact the the Polk Speakers (LSIM 705)sounded so good. In the 2 hrs he spent, he must have commented on the polks at least 7 times. said he alway thought of them as a Mid-Fi hook up to a receiver kind of speaker.

Anyway, I miss my Stereo 90 already as I said. Plugged in a Parasound HCA 1200II until the Halo A 21 arrives this week.
Sure hope the Halo A21 gets the Stereo 90 off my mind.

BTW: The Polk 705's do sound pretty good. I could've just left well enough alone.
This damned hobby!

Mikey081057

Me thinks you will be very satisfied with the A21 with the 705's. My modded 703's absolutely sing with the A21... It is BEAST for sure... you will realize that when you unbox it.Please keep us posted of your progress.

Mike Reeter

Atta boy Darren, now you have NO choice but to move on! I'm thinking Mikey081057 says it well, please report back with your findings when the dust settles!

dhart86

Mike Reeter wrote: »

Atta boy Darren, now you have NO choice but to move on! I'm thinking Mikey081057 says it well, please report back with your findings when the dust settles!

Mike I will definately will. I know you have similar leanings and considerations for your rig. Not the best in describing what I'm hearing, but will do my best to relate my findings

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Me thinks you will be very satisfied with the A21 with the 705's. My modded 703's absolutely sing with the A21... It is BEAST for sure... you will realize that when you unbox it.Please keep us posted of your progress.

Mikey.....me thinks your words are well timed & placed. Can't wait to get the Halo A21 and report back. Thanks, feeling a little less anxious

dhart86

nbrowser wrote: »

hrm as a HCA-1200II owner, I'm surprised you haven't commented on how it's dealing with the LSiM 705s...I bet it's nice sound!

Yeah...finally got the chance to sit down for some quality listening for last few hrs. The HCA 1200II ain't bad at all. It's the amp in my 2nd system, but it does a real nice job with the 705's. At first, the sound with this combo sounded a little thinner than with the Rogue....if that makes sense. But I guess my ears have adjusted now or the warmed up amp sounds fuller. The sound is slightly more precise and the highs shimmer a little more. Heck, I could live with this combo if need be.

Concerns about the Rogue ST 90 starting to fade

dhart86

The Rogue gave me great tonality, both (HCA) are musical. The HCA 1200II is giving me a little more details

erniejade

I think the A21 is more full bodied vs the 1200. After a week or 2 of burning it in, i bet you find the bass is tighter with the a21 as well.

WLDock

Nice feedback, enjoy it. Very encouraging.

Mikey081057

Listening to the A21 now (*again) and i am VERY pleased... SDA's don't just like Parasound.... They LOVE them.. Bass is full and rich and never dumpy or farty.

dhart86

Just got the A21 yesterday. Didn't have time for a quality listen. This thing is Beautiful. Solid build and beefy. Quick initial listen, I plugged them up to my modded (westmassguy) monitor 5a's. The 5a's never sounded better than this, not even with the Rogue. The detail and bass were obvious and stood out. Together they produced a very pleasing sound.........

Erniejade and Mikey ....I hear ya! Spot on fellas

Will do more listening on this pair b4 I turn to the 705's.......then the SDA 1c's

Mikey081057

dhart86 wrote: »

Just got the A21 yesterday. Didn't have time for a quality listen. This thing is Beautiful. Solid build and beefy. Quick initial listen, I plugged them up to my modded (westmassguy) monitor 5a's. The 5a's never sounded better than this, not even with the Rogue. The detail and bass were obvious and stood out. Together they produced a very pleasing sound.........

Erniejade and Mikey ....I hear ya! Spot on fellas

Will do more listening on this pair b4 I turn to the 705's.......then the SDA 1c's

Congrats!

I would love to hear a pair of 705's with the A21.. I have mine on the 2.3's and the 703's and it's like adding a supercharger to a big block and a small block

Enjoy!!!

dhart86

Right now ....I can't get myself to take the cables of the monitor 5A's. With the crossover upgrade they sound awesome being driven by the A21. And Just think, I had posted the 5A's for sale a little back . Aint gonna happen now. I will put the A21 on the other speakers later, right now me thinks me likes this combo Mikey