Parasound C2 vs Bryston SP 1.7

[dmac71]

Does anyone have experience comparing these 2 items, both in terms of functionality and audio performance? Also, is there any plans for the Parasound unit to introduce Video Processing of any kind?

Regards,

dmac71

[Chris D]

Video processing? Items with video that have been in serious discussion for Parasound hardware upgrades are video upconversion and HDMI switching, off the top of my head.

[Adz]

As individuals are generally very passionate about their equipment with comparisons either inciting a riot or at least an emotionally heated debate that while leads to exciting drama to read, it starts to get personal and those attacks can sometimes lead to the closure of a thread (although there are not a lot of 1.7 users out there so you may be safe and they are quite different units).

To be fair, you'd need to a/b both of them in the same room with the same equipment at the exact same time to really make any fair statement(s) about the performance, and even then what one person likes or focuses on is not always the same as someone else -- i.e., very subjective.

Certainly one can say the Halo has many more features, including video switching, more channels, inputs/outputs, etc. It also just released a software upgrade with DPLIIx. On the other hand, the 1.7 is very basic no frills approach and no video switching at all.

Lets take this one teeny tiny step futher -- Based on anecdotal evidence, one could say that the 1.7 is better known for its 2 channel audio (analogue) performance but that Halo has better surround performance and maybe even slightly better bass management processing - and maybe that's not too far off from being an accurate statement. But then again, that at least in terms of performance across the front 3 channels, the 1.7's sonic performance is hard to beat and compared to even the highest end units with its clean sound. So, it becomes this going back and forth as to what's really better - see??

I will point that Bryston is set to release this year its own software upgrade to the 1.7 which includes a new much more powerful DSP, the TI DA610 Aureus (supposedly in the Spring). They are also seriously considering a second hardware upgrade (more of a question of "when" not "if" I was told) and what may be targeted there are new DACs, pre-amp stage, outboard power supply, additional channels, etc. The point here is that once you buy the 1.7, Bryston has made statements (and backed them up when they went from the SP1 to the 1.7) that you need not worry about obsolesence where some companies make leading statements like that but then come out with a completely new unit every few years and owners of the old units rant and get pissed off (for reference -- see the plethera of Rotel threads on this topic). Although note any Bryston hardware upgrades will not be cheap and its not a modular based unit w/add-ons like a Theta. I don't know what Parasound/Halo has said in this regard.

[jimmyp58]

Both are high quality units having their signature strengths vs. the other. To ADZ's point, the very best you can do is conduct a true A/B with both units in the same room.

It also comes down to an individual's sound preferences. Each manufacturer engineers their own sound design, i.e., what they'd like the unit to sound like and some have a very distinctive sound when compared to another. Again, it then boils down to a person's preferences as to what sounds most appealing and of course too, the features incorporated.

Future upgradability is key too so you are asking good questions. The passion will run high, to ADZ's point, but both are high quality units.

The Parasound, on features alone, will win the contest versus the Bryston as it is a no-frills processor having very few features. Looks-wise, the Bryston has a very conservative look about it so on style points I'd probably give the nod to Parasound too. I have not listened to a Parasound and a Bryston together so it would not be fair to say which sounded better nor the fact I have never owned a Parasound unit so I have no extensive first-hand knowledge of it's sound, etc. But having owned the Bryston, I can say it is a super clean and tremendously clear sounding pre-pro. Being that it is a no-frills unit, the SP 1.7 is very easy to operate. And finally, while they have dragged their feet (but the same can be said for Parasound, Anthem, ARCAM, etc.) with upgrading the unit with some of the new feature ADZ mentioned, Bryston is committed to their customer base. A few years ago, they released their first pre/pro, the SP1. It was a 5.1 unit and it lacked multi-channel audio. A couple of years after introducing it, they released the 1.7 and while, to ADZ's point some companies simply come out with a new processor leaving the customer to have to purchase a whole new unit if they want all the new upgrades, Bryston engineered an upgrade path for SP1 owners to send in their units and for a fee, they'd retrofit it to be a 1.7. Sure, it wasn't inexpensive but in comparison to having to purchase an entirely new unit and then take a beating on the used market, it was a tremendous value.

Lastly, from a customer service standpoint, both are incredible companies. I know firsthand how committed Bryston is and I have read in many a thread here that Parasound has the same zeal toward it's customers.

Jim

[dmac71]

Thanks for the input, you've gone to good length, and I appreciate the thoughts. I will try to listen to both at a dealer, but Parasound is hard to find where I live.

I'd like to take this a step further if anyone has the time.

Here's why I'm asking about the 2 items in the first place. Obviously I'm interested in a new processor. I love Bryston. I have a 9B ST amp, and am currently using a Yamaha DSP A1 Reciever for processing. The Bryston SP 1.7 seems a bit pricier than the Parasound, once you start shopping at places like Audiogon or Ebay, and it has no video switching, so getting their outboard unit drives the price up even more. The Parasound seems like a very good audio processor, has the video on board, but doesn't up-res to HD 1080i, or even convert to Component from S-Video. I would like these 2 things in my processor.

I would love to simplify the video and audio switching that I currently do (my HD Receiver, DVD, and VCR go directly into the TV), but can't really find 1 unit to do both without spending a forture. Am I better off getting whichever audio processor I like, than adding something like a DVDO HD unit for Up-Resing to HD? I'm not sure it's necessary to add the outboard video because my TV (Loewe) has only analog HD video inputs.

If anyone has any thoughts about either of these 2 units, or HT processsors in general, I appreciate hearing them.

BTW, I'm hoping to not start any fights with anyone. I assumed from the start that both the SP1.7 and the C2 are excellent units, worthy of comparison and discussion.

[bhuskins]

It's really hard to compare the two though because of such a substantial difference in design concept. They both do what they intend to very well. If you are interested in an audio only unit you might want to wait for the new Halo P2 coming out. It's an analog only unit with dual 7.1 inputs and 110db channel separation...supposedly a first among Pre's. But, this unit is also completely different conceptually from the C2 or 1.7 because it has no internal DACs. It relies on the player to perform that function. Of all the video upconverting processors out there integrated into A/V processors, none that I am aware of convert to 1080i only to 480i. This will change with the release of the Halcro Logic SSP-100 in April that will upconvert and output up to 1080P. Nice feature but it retails for $10,000.

Brent Huskins