Parasound processors

Nicknice

Has anyone used a Parasound processor? I'm thinking about getting the C3 HD processor when it comes out. Just wondering how the Parasounds sound?

aghuey

I'm also thinking of picking one up when it comes out. I hear they are great processors; the C1 and C2. I have an A52 five channel amp and I love it!! The sound stage is very wide open and accurate.

Looking for an A23 for sale. Anyone have one to sell? If so, Pm me. Thanks.

Blownrx7

I have the C1 (BTW, the C1 and C2 processors are identical) and I love it.
I don't love that Parasound never followed through on any "upgrades" to this unit (see the expansion port on the back that was never utilized...).
But, if you don't care about video processing, this unit will satisfy your needs VERY well!
The sound quality ranks up there with the best of them and can be had for a real bargain nowadays.
I'm sure that the C3 will be excellent as well but, while you're considering options, I would also take a close look at Anthem and the Denon AVP depending on where the C3 price falls.
You can't beat the Anthem and Denon for video processing and an audiophile who I consider to be quite discerning chose the Denon over the Anthem D2 w/ Audyssey/Room correction.

I like Anthem for their easier user interface and their upgradeability. I feel the Parasound had better audio compared to the Anthem AVM series but I never got to compare it to the Statement D1/D2.


More options.... I hope I didn't confuse things for you...

Nicknice

Thanks for the input. From what I have read about the C1 and C2 people seem to like them. The only complaint I have found is what Blownrx7 pointed out, about the expansion port that was never utilized. As far a price the C3 is supposed to be under $3500 according to Parasound, which is allot less than the Denon AVP, and probably the Anthem D2. I'm not set on this processor yet, going to wait to see more up to date specs from Parasound, which are supposed to be announced sometime next month.

Blownrx7

Yeah, as far as when Parasound will release the C3 - good luck on figuring that out. They are notorious for missing release dates - now supposedly scheduled for late summer (I won't hold my breath).

That's what killed their Halo D3 universal player. By the time they got it to market, everyone else had one in that price range and consumers were moving on to hard drives etc. It is a great player for the current used price (well under $1K) after Audio Advisor blew them out for $1K new last year.

The Parasound forum on HT Guide is figuring they are delaying release to incorporate the latest surround mode (Dolby Pro Logic IIz) and to get the bugs out on their room equalization.
The other surround modes will certainly be different but others will debate all day long if they are better. Frankly, I will wait until the next great revolution in HT processors before I trade out my C1

Again, if you are willing to forego video processing, the C1/C2 is the way to go.
For the money saved, you could get a separate video processer such as the DVDO. That would be an awesome setup!
You would miss out on room equalization...

donedroolin

I have the C-2 controller and the A-51 amp. They are IMPECKABLE peices of electronics. I would reccomend PARASOUND very highly. They build QUALITY products and back them very well. I have to check out the C-3 does it have HDMI on it. That is my only disappointment with my C-2. I would say GO FOR IT and don't look back.

Emlyn

Blownrx7 wrote: »

Yeah, as far as when Parasound will release the C3 - good luck on figuring that out. They are notorious for missing release dates - now supposedly scheduled for late summer (I won't hold my breath).

Parasound was at least a year and a half late in releasing their P7 analog multichannel preamp beyond when they said they intended to release it. And that was just an analog product. Good thing they have amps to keep them in business. Their universal DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio player was so late to market it was so far behind existing technology by the time it was released Parasound had to hold a fire sale to get rid of them not too long after they came to market. It was a good product though.

The high quality of the C1 and C2 may not be a good indicator of quality in the C3 because it is a completely different architecture at a lower price point. MSRP on the C2 was $4K, and the sound quality on the balanced inputs was as good as I've heard from a solid state preamp in stereo mode. They really only did one update to the C2 during its life cycle and that was nothing major. The C3 may be out later this year, and may be relatively bug free, but I'd suggest getting something else at this point. Or, wait until reviews from other users of the C3 are available. It'll probably be a long wait and there are a few other options already available..

Blownrx7

donedroolin wrote: »

... I have to check out the C-3 does it have HDMI on it. ...

Yes, the C3 has FIVE HDMI in and ONE HDMI out.
You can check out the PRELIMINARY info here:

http://parasound.com/pdfs/HaloC3Announcement.pdf

schwarcw

I have the C2 and love it!

Thanks Mark (Emlyn)!:)

polkatese

C3 looks very promising. I wonder if anyone has any opinion on the audio quality vs. B&K REF series. I never owned a Parasound.

Enlighten me guys.

WilliamM2

I'm very interested in the new AVP70, if it's ever released.

If you look at the back panels, the AVP70 and C3 look identical, except for the addition of the balanced conectors, and the absense of AM/FM attena inputs on the C3. The specs say the C3 has a tuner, but no antenna inputs?

aghuey

Has anyone compared the c1 or c2 to Lexicon's mc 12? Thoughts? I currently have a Lexicon Mc4 and am considering switching it with a c1 or c2 or perhaps waiting for the c3. What's the main differences between the c1 and c2 models?

Thanks!!

Blownrx7

The C1 has an extra component video input and the display monitor on it's panel. The power supply is larger to accomodate the display requirements. Performance-wise others have been hard pressed to see a difference between the two.
The C2 is the better value, the C1 is the better looking component.

danz1906

You cant go wrong with Parasound:D