Parasound A21+ Review
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joecoulson
Posts: 4,943
Most of you know my short audio journey as it relates to my time on this forum. I've been into audio for a while, but took a deep dive back in mid 2018. I went from an old 2005 Denon AVR, to using that AVR as a preamp with a NAD power amp, and then on two Linn LK240 monoblocks. Then, I purchased a PS Audio SGC and used that as the preamp, finally adding two more LK240s. I had this powering the LSiM705s for some time.
In early 2019, I purchased the Elac Adante AF-61 floor standers to replace the 705s.
I loved the sound, but it took a few other listeners to help me decipher that bi-amping each tower (with the four monoblocks) was not ideal for this speaker.
I took a chance on a pair of PS Audio M700 monoblocks, assuming there would be clear synergy with the SGC preamp. Late last year, I ended up saying goodbye to the SGC pre and put the Parasound P6 in its place. I mainly chose it for the bass management, but it ended up making my whole setup quite pleasing.
My setup (besides switching to the stand mount version of the Elac Adantes) had been unchanged up until recently. I had been eyeing the Parasound A21+ since it was released. The first version of this amp had great reviews here on the forum, as well as around the web. The “+” version seemed to only add to the style and performance. This was the next intelligent move for me, since it plays off the synergy of P6. I called my local dealer and was quoted a price that I could not pass on.
I've already posted about the build quality and taken some photos. Now, let me get into the performance. I have had this amp playing for a few hours a night for the last two weeks or so. I've left in on all day during this time, but not always actively playing.
My first impressions were very positive with lower volume listening. I thought this must be the pure Class A (a little over 6 watts) operation that I was hearing. Even brand new, it was a solid gain over the PS Audio M700s. As the days progressed, the amp started to open up more and more. The space around the instruments started to increase and I was getting more left to right, up and down, and front to back depth.
This sensation was not new to me as I had it before. However, what I did not have before was a buttery smooth presentation at higher volume levels. My previous amplifiers had a tendency to get a little bright and harsh on heavy transients - not this guy. When I listened to "Celine Dion - The Power of Love" (let the flaming begin) and she starts singing the higher notes, the sound used to get muddled slightly, but not now. When the music comes in to to join her higher notes, there was so much headroom.
"The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?" - I have heard this song hundreds of times. But never with this much clear distinction of each note. This is a very dynamic song, and I was now hearing sounds and imaging I hadn't ever heard. I love it when that happens. Lastly, "Heart- Live in Seattle (Alone)". This song is a live recording, but very well done. When Ann Wilson gets into her second chorus, she really wails! Even though I had it up turned up to ear bleeding levels, her voice never broke up or started to get grainy. There are also moments when cymbals pierce through the dynamics, and I thought to myself “Was that there before?"
I've made many upgrades to my system that allowed for the cleanest signal path possible. The addition of the A21+ seems to have raised the bar of my system's performance even further. In summary, I am very pleased with this amp
In early 2019, I purchased the Elac Adante AF-61 floor standers to replace the 705s.
I loved the sound, but it took a few other listeners to help me decipher that bi-amping each tower (with the four monoblocks) was not ideal for this speaker.
I took a chance on a pair of PS Audio M700 monoblocks, assuming there would be clear synergy with the SGC preamp. Late last year, I ended up saying goodbye to the SGC pre and put the Parasound P6 in its place. I mainly chose it for the bass management, but it ended up making my whole setup quite pleasing.
My setup (besides switching to the stand mount version of the Elac Adantes) had been unchanged up until recently. I had been eyeing the Parasound A21+ since it was released. The first version of this amp had great reviews here on the forum, as well as around the web. The “+” version seemed to only add to the style and performance. This was the next intelligent move for me, since it plays off the synergy of P6. I called my local dealer and was quoted a price that I could not pass on.
I've already posted about the build quality and taken some photos. Now, let me get into the performance. I have had this amp playing for a few hours a night for the last two weeks or so. I've left in on all day during this time, but not always actively playing.
My first impressions were very positive with lower volume listening. I thought this must be the pure Class A (a little over 6 watts) operation that I was hearing. Even brand new, it was a solid gain over the PS Audio M700s. As the days progressed, the amp started to open up more and more. The space around the instruments started to increase and I was getting more left to right, up and down, and front to back depth.
This sensation was not new to me as I had it before. However, what I did not have before was a buttery smooth presentation at higher volume levels. My previous amplifiers had a tendency to get a little bright and harsh on heavy transients - not this guy. When I listened to "Celine Dion - The Power of Love" (let the flaming begin) and she starts singing the higher notes, the sound used to get muddled slightly, but not now. When the music comes in to to join her higher notes, there was so much headroom.
"The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?" - I have heard this song hundreds of times. But never with this much clear distinction of each note. This is a very dynamic song, and I was now hearing sounds and imaging I hadn't ever heard. I love it when that happens. Lastly, "Heart- Live in Seattle (Alone)". This song is a live recording, but very well done. When Ann Wilson gets into her second chorus, she really wails! Even though I had it up turned up to ear bleeding levels, her voice never broke up or started to get grainy. There are also moments when cymbals pierce through the dynamics, and I thought to myself “Was that there before?"
I've made many upgrades to my system that allowed for the cleanest signal path possible. The addition of the A21+ seems to have raised the bar of my system's performance even further. In summary, I am very pleased with this amp
Comments
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Joe, a great concise summary of your journey and review of the A21+.
I am glad you are extremely pleased with the Parasound A21+.
It is Magnificent looking and certainly must sound Wonderful. I look forward to hearing it in the future.
Enjoy!!"Sometimes you have to look to the past to understand where you are going in the future"
Harry / Marietta GA -
Harry I was just actually talking to Jody about another “less party-ish” audio gathering.
Would love to make sure it aligns with your schedule. -
Kudos to Drew for helping me put my random thoughts into a “concise summary”
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Loving it, big beefy amps are fun!- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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Congrats on that beautiful beast Joe and your journey has been crazy cool! If I
Decide to try something different from my B2B 100 the A21+ will be what I will shoot for! Thanks for the great story brother!"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
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Thank You guys. Both of you have been close to that journey too. Appreciate you.
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It is surprising, and amazing, what a good, high power, amp will do to a system. Congratulations.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Nice review, that’s a beast of an amp. Congrats.Living Room
Parasound HINT 6, Yamaha Aventage RX-A 1060, Oppo 103D, Cambridge Audio Azur 851N, KLH Model 5s, Polk CSi A6, Samsung 65" LED
Office
Yamaha A-S501, Auralic Aries Mini, LSiM 703s
Douglas Connection ICs and Cables -
I knew you’d like it ..
BkDayens Ampino , Yamaha wxc-50 , Polk SDA 1c’s ( my first love .. ) , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM
B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL
Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Salk Supercharged Song towers ( difficult choice between these and my family if I had to choose ... 😩 ) , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN RIG
PS Audio S300 - sitting in the closet for now …
Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO -
Nice review, Joe. Parasound makes some great amps. I have had experience with A21 and thought that it was one fine amp. I can only imagine how better A21+ can be over A21. How does it run? Hot or cold? Just curious.
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Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
It runs warm. With it being out in the open and we have constant flow (ceiling fans are always on) in our house, it rarely gets above warm. Even when pushed.
But it’s not pushing towers, just monitors. But they are 4ohm 85db ones. -
Congratulations on the new amp Joe! Very nice review,and thanks a whole bunch for making me want to spend money that I don’t have.See my profile for list of gear.
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Nice review and congrats, nice amp.
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Thank You sir.
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joecoulson wrote: »Kudos to Drew for helping me put my random thoughts into a “concise summary”
My pleasure, Joe. I'm thrilled that you have found a perfect amplifier for your listening tastes and musical preferences. I'd wager that it takes a lot of people much longer to find that "perfect" amp!
I hope it brings you years of musical enjoyment. -
I give him 3 months- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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Yea I see a JC5 in his future
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Yep, this one’s a little light. Maybe something from Pass Labs will take its place.
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Wtf
You guys stop giving me the self fulfilling prophecy! I can do it fine without any help. -
you're welcome
OOOO yea I passed over Pass yep that should be ALL CLASS A goodness and would help heat the house in the dead of winter.... -
And in GA would be gone out of my house very soon middle of summer when my wife realizes she can’t keep the house at 73 because of an amp.
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Just having fun Joe
Awesome amp for sure. -
Audio Advisor currently has a black factory refreshed JC5 in stock for around 17 percent off. Nudge, nudge.
But, the A21+ may indeed be the “sweet spot” for Parasound’s current crop of amps on a price to performance basis for normal efficiency speakers.Post edited by Emlyn on -
It has to be the sweet spot. I imagine I would get some diminishing return on investment going to the JC-5.
No doubt it’s great, but wouldn’t be a $3k worth jump. That’s my op.
The best thing about this amp vs the PS Audio M700’s is that it (the A21+) sounds fantastic with more music types. Really enjoying going through my collection.
I honestly didn’t expect this. -
If you ever think about upgrading it, just put a stock power cable on it for a few days and then go back to the aftermarket cable. That'll cure that urge.
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No doubt
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joecoulson wrote: »Harry I was just actually talking to Jody about another “less party-ish” audio gathering.
Would love to make sure it aligns with your schedule.
Sounds good Joe! These days, I have no schedule."Sometimes you have to look to the past to understand where you are going in the future"
Harry / Marietta GA
