Parasound Halo A21- any experience?

[awkwardbydesign]

I already have a Parasound HCA-1205A 5 channel power amp, which I no longer need as my speakers have changed. I rather like it, so I wondered if anyone has experience of the Halo A21 power amp.

At the moment it would be only used to power the bass speakers in an active system, but that may soon change to full range duties.

So, has anyone got/had one. or played with one?

 

[JANDL100]

I had one and kept it for a rather astonishing (for me) 18 months.

A thing of wonder - superb power delivery, but very subtley nuanced as well (the first 7.5wpc is in Class A, which probably helps here).

Visiting valve freaks didn't miss their glowing things at all.

You'll be wasting much of its excellence just as a bass amp, though, which would be a shame.

A genuinely great all rounder, imo. :^

 

[lordmortlock]

Visiting valve freaks didn't miss their glowing things at all.

It's true, we didn't. One of my very favourite SS power amps and a fantastic match for Jerrys MBLs. It didn't suit my totem Forests or Phils Snells (iirc) quite as well for some reason but it's much more than just a muscle amp, with a real sweetness and soul which is probably due to that first 7.5w as Jerry says. I'd have had one here if they weren't so freaking massive. It would defo be overkill on low end duties but nice to have if you plan to eventually use it to cover the whole frequency range

 

[JANDL100]

It didn't suit my totem Forests or Phils Snells (iirc) quite as well for some reason

Hmm, yes, that's true. The overall sound was a bit tizzy at the top with those - I blame the speakers. ;-)

The A21 worked superbly with my MBLs - also Apogee Duetta ribbons and Eminent Technology ribbon hybrids and Usher X719 standmounts.

 

[Guest]

I own one, currently driving a pair of Kef 104/2 - Raymond Cooke Limited Editions and testing with a pair of pmc db1i. Can't really fault the parasound, except its very heavy and just about fits in my rack, I had the Parasound HCA-1205A and HCA-1200MKII previously and thought the a21 was a step up when I compared them.

 

[awkwardbydesign]

Wow, that's EXACTLY the kind of info I was hoping for. The active thing is causing me more problems than I need, so one all rounder amp and passive speakers may be better. At the moment it's all speculation and enquiries, but some money is coming next month, so I might be in a position to make changes. The HCA-1205A was a big improvement over the BK Electronics amp (which I see they have now discontinued- too many cheap Chinese amps!), and I have a fair amount of respect for John Curl as a designer.

Now I just have to find an A21 at a reasonable price, preferably 2nd hand.

Thanks for your help, the 'Wam at it's best.

PS, I have some "valvey looking lamps", so I won't miss the valves too much.

 

[RobsterD]

I used an A21 just for bass duties in my system,nice amp but I preferred a Crown DC300A,Bel Canto Ref1000's and now some Ming Da 805's in its place,dunno why it didn't work maybe the Class A up to 7.5 w didn't help possibly it's high damping factor comes in at higher power

 

[SSM]

A thing of wonder - superb power delivery, but very subtley nuanced as well (the first 7.5wpc is in Class A, which probably helps here).Visiting valve freaks didn't miss their glowing things at all.

Mmmmm... very intriguing Jerry.

I am due a visit to the Parasound dealer later this year as I have that acclaimed JC2 preamp on my wishlist. However, it wouldn't hurt to collect a super ss power amp that beguiles the ear like a toob amp. The A21 could hurt my back though at 60lbs.:nerves:Has anyone made a direct comparison between the A21 and its smaller sibling A23? The A23's specs say it runs biased to Class A, so does it sing as sweetly for the first 7 watts. I don't need so much wattage, so the sleeker A23 is more appealing.

SS

 

[JANDL100]

Rumour has it that the A23 is not an A21 writ small. The A21 is a John Curl design whereas the A23 apparently is not. Worth a listen, though, I'd have thought.

But the 60lb is an easy lift due to the 2 substantial grab handles on the rear of the A21. ;-)

 

[kneesup]

Thanks in no small part to Jerry's earlier posts on this thread and a very helpful PM dialogue, I went and got myself an A21 and I think it's a marvellous thing. Size wise it's narrower that my Alchemist Forseti and not much taller than the Forseti power amp and no deeper. It weighs a bit but it's on the bottom level anyway. I really can't see size or weight as an issue at all. The build quality is wonderful, it looks very attractive and is very pre'-friendly, with its variable gain input controls. It's got huge current, too, so clipping is a thing of the past, no matter what the speakers, and headroom is huge. It doesn't even get remotely hot. Truly an amp for life, I think.

I'd love too hear from someone who knows something of the JC2, but by 'eck that's proper money…

 

[kneesup]

delete ref

 

[awkwardbydesign]

My system (and needs) has changed since I started this thread, but I would still like to hear one.

 

[KevinF]

I think you've got off lightly. The Parasound paramilitary may like, but I was not impressed. Harsh, granular HF and typical sand-on-steroids sound. You either get it or you don't. I did not.

Just sayin'.

 

[kneesup]

I'm amazed at the last post. I have extremely revealing speakers and the A21 is monumentally good. I also did a ton research before hand, and spoke to a large number of people with vastly more experience than me, include the UK's premier speaker manufacturer who spontaneously recommended the A21 has a stunningly good amp. John Curl's masterpiece, especially when coupled with his JC-2. There were and are many Parasound amps at many different price points. The A21 may stand alone in quality, I don't know. I haven't heard any of the others. It also sounds quite different cold to warmed up. As you'd expect.

 

[KevinF]

If you like the sound, then that really is all that matters. It's your money, your choice.

 

[SSM]

Thanks for the comments mates. I'm certainly keeping the JC2 and A21 on my tour list.

A new rival for the A21 looms up though. Arcam's soon to be released Class G power amp the P49. 200 watts per channel, the first 50 in Class A. Reads like it could be as sweet and toob-like as the A21.

Just as well I was told in Dec that the P38 was discontinued. :cs: I'd wanted that for a biamp partner with my A38. Sometimes, disappointing news happen for a reason.

This Arcam fanboi now awaits the P49. :22:

SS

 

[joleyami]

I have a Parasound Halo A52 which is a 5 channel amp using very similar circuitry as the A21. It sounds stunning with Dali speakers, accurate and silky smooth and even at very high volumes it has wonderful integrity.

Certainly no signs of harshness.

My local Hi Fi dealer claims the A21 is a stunning power amp, certainly amongst his all time favourites.