Parasound A21+

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joecoulson
joecoulson Posts: 4,980
in Electronics
Good people of PF

Anyone had experience with this “+” version of the A21?
Thoughts?
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    I heard that the Benchmark AHB2 is better.
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,980
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    Lol. Thank You Drew for your input. However I asked if anyone had “experience” with this amp, not opinions...
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
    edited September 2020
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    I'm going to reach out to my contact at Parasound to see if he can share any first hand listening impressions on the A21 vs the A21+ or about the A21+ in general.
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,980
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    Thank You señor
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,742
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    Oh, that’s right. We know someone who knows someone!
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    Yes! Phil Jackson at Parasound is a class act, great guy.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
    edited September 2020
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    Guts:
    a21+inside_300.jpg
    Rear panel:
    A21PlusC.jpg?v=1569323752
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,980
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    Stunning
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN2JlLKMqVA
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,742
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    That is an impressive build.
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,980
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    Sold!
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,584
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    And they said I was easy!
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,400
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    If you have a chance to listen at a dealer see if they have a Parasound Zone Master 2350 on hand to compare. I had multiple listening sessions comparing tha A21+, A23+ & the ZM 2350. All were driving the incredible & I mean incredible KEF Reference 3 & Reference 5 speakers.
    I own the KEF R3 monitors so I am very familiar with the KEF signature.
    When all was said & done the ZM 2350 was the one I went home with.
    It is a class D but with Parasounds analog stage. There in lies it's magic. Even the guys at Parasound will tell you that the ZM 2350 is a real sleeper in their line.
    From what I understand the new A21+ & A23+ bring a lot more to the table than their predisesters.
    As usual when it comes to all things in audio everyone's mileage will vary.
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,980
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    Thanks for your feedback.
    The part I’m interested in is the pure Class A- A/B as It gives me the best of both worlds.
    Coming from Class D, I am familiar with that power. But I also have a P6 pre. So that’s only going to add to the synergy
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
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    FWIW, The Binding Posts on the later Halo Series are the best I've had experienced. Large Spade connectors slip into a 'slot' on the bottom edge of the Posts. The Spades are held in place by the Posts with no lateral movement, they lock in SOLID.

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 770
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    I have an A21 driving my 1C’s ....
    Love it !

    I also have used it with my Salks, and its fantastic there as well .

    I’m sure the + version is even better , but not sure you’d hear the difference - it’s basically the same amp internally with 50 more watts.

    Output current remains the same at 60 amperes.
    Filter caps go from 100,000 to 108,000 , although their website says 88 to 108 - but the 88 is the earlier A21’s - the later ones had 100.

    Bk

    PS Audio S300 , WiiM Ultra , Yamaha wxc-50 , Salk SuperCharged Songtowers , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 48” - 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 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Towers , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN system

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sony 65” TV - PATIO
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,980
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    Looking forward to it.
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  • BlueBirdMusic
    BlueBirdMusic Posts: 3,135
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    @pitdogg2,
    I remembered seeing this HCA-3500 on US Audio Mart a few days ago, and here it is below. When I saw the listing, I looked at the details because I had never seen one. How does the price on this one compare to the one you let slip through your hands?

    All of these Parasound amps are impressive, and I am sure Joe will like his new one.

    https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649652705-parasound-hca-3500-amplifier-the-holy-grail-2-x-350-wpc-8-into-ohms-john-curl-design/
    7a747r0ckc1b.png

    "Sometimes you have to look to the past to understand where you are going in the future"
    Harry / Marietta GA
    m9iutt1ly1yd.png
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,905
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    I used to see those HCA-3500s often being sold for around $1K to $1.5K more than ten years ago. The two power cord thing is pretty cool.

    They are old enough now they may need some fine tuning inside.
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  • Unknown
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,980
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    So the eagle has landed.
    Plugged in and started the break in process.
    I do like what I am hearing. Especially at lower levels.

    oteot6x4pql6.jpeg
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 12,020
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    B) !!!
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.

    “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
    --Mark Twain.

    “If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,980
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    I will leave my review for after break in

    As far as how the thing looks and the tech, outstanding!
    Built like a tank and very clean finishes.
    Here are some outside shots:

    e9rnkraklcix.jpeg
    28bx38ghxrop.jpeg
    qkn2wiwe9rj4.jpeg


    The inside is just as beautiful, popped the top (as most of you know I am prone to do) and took some guts pix

    24cgnuqp650c.jpeg
    aiotppbccrkn.jpeg
    42tit72cf24i.jpeg
    vf61m22tdua6.jpeg

    And one last one for reference. That transformer is massive. Taller than it is wide.

    1pvqdarie02c.jpeg
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    What gauge is that wire, I'm assuming it's the output wire, is it 10 gauge?
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,980
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    Not sure
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    These?

    py6uc2bdydoe.png

    Those are running from the input/pre board to the main board. Looks more like 14ga to me.
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    The camera must add 10 lbs then, they looked thicker in the picture. Nice amp.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    I've thought about asking Parasound for a JC5 to review, but I don't want a herniated disc from trying to put it on top of my rack.
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