Parasound New Classic 2250 or Halo A23 for SRS?

Rex81

I’m thinking of dipping my feet into the Parasound pool. Right now I’m considering buying a used 2250 or A23. They’re the same price.

I know the Halos are spec’d better, but the 2250 has twice the power. 400 wpc at 4 ohms vs 200 in the Halo. I like that the Halo has balanced inputs since I’m currently running a full balanced setup out of my Emotiva DC-1 preamp/DAC. Room is 11x22. I’m currently using SDA SRS 2 but I’m interested in finding some 3.1TL in the near future.

So I guess my question is: Will the A23 provide enough power to drive the SRS 2 or 3.1 TL comfortably? I don't want to lose any of the dynamics I'm currently getting with 525 wpc of class D power. Is there a noticeable difference in sound quality between the New Classics and Halo series?

Any other slightly used amps in the $600 range I should be considering?

Emlyn

I would go with the 2250 in that situation for the extra current capability, but would go for the A23 with any of the last recent generations of Polk speakers. You could also get a B&K 200.2 in that price range which I think would be a better choice. I doubt it will be as dynamic an amp as a Class D amp, but would be warmer and more musical sounding

If you are buying either amp used you should be able to sell them on with no problem.

Mikey081057

Agree with Skip... The A23 has plenty of power. don't get consumed with WPC. I have A23's and an A21 and you would not hear the difference unless you were driving inefficient speakers in a large room. The balanced connection to your pre will give you a lower noise floor with a good set of bal interconnects. I have used both amps with my SDS 2.3's and could be happy using an A23.

Rex81

Thanks for the insights. We think of SDAs as being really power hungry, but they are fairly efficient after all. Seems like they more prefer the current. Certainly the A23 offers plenty of that. Glad to hear of some first hand experience.

Now to seek one out...

michaeljhsda2

Rex81 wrote: »

Seems like they more prefer the current.

Quite true. I'm running a 50 watt tube amp on my 1.2TL's, plenty of power and they sound great.

[Deleted User]

I use a Yamaha PC2002M with my SDA SRS 2s and it can work fairly hard with difficult passages. I say at least 150 a side.

michaeljhsda2

Not trying to crap on anyone's amp choice but IMHO, watts don't mean squat. Well they do but it's all about the amps ability to deliver high current. If watts were all that mattered, then my Kenwood KR6030 (80 WPC) and KR9060 (160 WPC) should have sounded better than the 50 watt Yaqin tube amp. Both Kenwood's fell flat on their face.

I also used a Crown XLS 402D (pro amp) rated at 380 WPC and the 50 watt tube amp sounded better in every way. Solid, tight bass, great midrange and highs with a nice full sound. The proamp was sterile, thin sounding and the midrange and highs were smeared.

michaeljhsda2

I would love to get my hands on a Parasound A23 or A21 and see how it fairs on the 1.2TL's but toobs sound so good.

Emlyn

The Parasound HCA-1500A would also be a good choice.

Rex81

michaeljhsda2 wrote: »

Rex81 wrote: »

Seems like they more prefer the current.

Quite true. I'm running a 50 watt tube amp on my 1.2TL's, plenty of power and they sound great.

Wow, I'm really surprised to hear that. Interesting. You don't notice any loss of dynamics, bass impact, etc? I never thought of looking into a tube amp, but those Yaqins are right in the same price range... Great, now my search just got broader.

Emlyn wrote: »

The Parasound HCA-1500A would also be a good choice.

Yeah, I was looking at the HCA series. Although I'd like to have a newer amp if possible. I don't want to have to service it any time soon.

motorhead43026

I own a less then year old A23 and it punches way above it's price point, and does it very well.

tonyb

michaeljhsda2 wrote: »

The proamp was sterile, thin sounding and the midrange and highs were smeared.

Thank you for that fine description. It's exactly why most of us don't recommend pro amps for in home quality listening.

....and your right, watts don't mean as much as current delivery. If the OP is looking for a used amp in the 6 bones range, hard to top Parasound or B&k amps which gell well with SDA's. McCormack amps should also be on your radar, no loss of dynamics or bass response for that brand.

steveinaz

The HCA series use Jfet/mosfet setups just like halo, and the 1500 has 60amp capability.

Rex81

Ok, so lots of good things about the Parasounds, but now I'm seriously considering a Yaqin tube integrated. They're in the same price range, but brand new. I'll need to research this option more...

michaeljhsda2

No loss of dynamics and room shaking bass. I've played bass heavy music including 20 Hz bass test tones to assess it's limits and the Yaqin/1.2 TL combo didn't flinch. More than enough power to pressurize a 13' x 18' room with an 8' ceiling.

The MC-30L is an integrated amp and has a remote control (no phono preamp). Price to quality ratio is hard to beat. The amp has Shuguang EL34-B power tubes which IMO are an excellent tube. I've tried others but always go back to these. I seldom see a used Yaqin for sale so folks must really like them I reckon.

Everyone that listens to the system can't believe it's "only 50 watts" and yet sounds that powerful...and great.

Rex81

Thanks for the info. I also see the MC-13S model. It's listed as an upgraded MC-10L. It also used EL34B tubes. Do you have any experience with this model? Looks like it uses 8 tubes instead of 12, 40 watts instead of 45, and doesn't have a remote.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Silk-Audio-MC-13S-Tube-Integrated-Amplifier-Factory-New-from-Yaqin-/322041457571

michaeljhsda2

Rex81 wrote: »

Ok, so lots of good things about the Parasounds, but now I'm seriously considering a Yaqin tube integrated. They're in the same price range, but brand new. I'll need to research this option more...

If you decide to buy one, get in touch with Ray, owner of Silk Audio, on Ebay. He's in the Chicagoland area. He sells the Silk Audio MS-38 which is a rebadged MC-30L. He services what he sells, great communication, fast shipping. Others on this forum have bought from him so hopefully they'll chime in.

If you like the looks of the Yaqin MC-30L, get in touch with Tabnaac (Ebay ID). His name is Song interestingly enough and he ships out of Canada. Shipping to my home in the midwest was only 45 bucks and arrived in 3 days.

boston1450

They are sexy too

michaeljhsda2

Rex81 wrote: »

Thanks for the info. I also see the MC-13S model. It's listed as an upgraded MC-10L. It also used EL34B tubes. Do you have any experience with this model? Looks like it uses 8 tubes instead of 12, 40 watts instead of 45, and doesn't have a remote.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Silk-Audio-MC-13S-Tube-Integrated-Amplifier-Factory-New-from-Yaqin-/322041457571

I owned the MC-10L, it was my gateway drug into the world of tubes LOL. In fact, that was the amp I hooked up to the 1.2TL's and was blown away by how great it sounded. Rocked the house. I wanted the remote so I sold the 10L to my brother in law and got the MS-20L for the SDA 1C's and the 30L for the 1.2TL's.

I would recommend either the 20L, 30L or the Silk Audio MS-38 (looks the best IMO).

michaeljhsda2

boston1450 wrote: »

They are sexy too

Sure nuff! How do you like the CD player?

Rex81

I actually don't care for the look of the MS-38. I prefer the all-analog look of the MC-13S, but I think having the remote with the 30L would be nice.

michaeljhsda2

Rex81 wrote: »

I think having the remote with the 30L would be nice.

For sure. Those days of getting up and down to adjust the volume are over.

boston1450

Sure nuff! How do you like the CD player?[/quote]
.
works great. Save your money. Ive A-B'd it against my Denon 2910 & didnt really hear that much gain. I actually got the cd player way before the amp. Im kinda backwards

michaeljhsda2

Noted, thanks

msg

Wow! @boston1450 ! I had no idea those Yaquin pieces were so attractively built! - I really like those

Rex81

I did it. Pulled the trigger on a 30L from Silk Audio. Wow, that was a huge turn in direction from what I was planning, but I'm ok with it.

Thanks michaeljhsda2 for your inspiration! I'll let you guys know what I think when it gets here!

Rex81

Oh, and thanks again for everyone's advice on the Parasounds. I'll continue to keep my eyes open for an opportunity to demo those.

michaeljhsda2

Rex81 wrote: »

I did it. Pulled the trigger on a 30L from Silk Audio. Wow, that was a huge turn in direction from what I was planning, but I'm ok with it.

Thanks michaeljhsda2 for your inspiration! I'll let you guys know what I think when it gets here!

Cool, congrats Do you have a voltage meter? Although Ray checks the bias before he ships it, double check to make sure it's reading 400 volts per tube. It's a cinch to do btw.

I check mine every month or 3 and it's very stable.

Although you have the 30L it's a good read...http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/165583/tubes-in-the-house/p1

Rex81

Yes, I have a meter and know how to use it. I'll be sure to check.

I'll check out the link. Thanks!

michaeljhsda2

Are your SRS 2's stock?

BlueBirdMusic

Rex81 wrote: »

I did it. Pulled the trigger on a 30L from Silk Audio. Wow, that was a huge turn in direction from what I was planning, but I'm ok with it.

Thanks michaeljhsda2 for your inspiration! I'll let you guys know what I think when it gets here!

Rex81, you have me looking at those on eBay too. You made a fast direction change.