CEDIA Disappointment.

[JamesE]

Will 1.3 HDMI be a different hardware configuration or just different software?

[Chris D]

James, there is no problem with buying a used model from a person that got it from an authorized dealer. No company can reject a piece of equipment just because it's been passed on. What they fight is having unscrupulous dealers get their hands on units and then sell them (usually "new) at ridiculously low prices.

I'd just get the serial number of the unit you want to buy and then call Parasound to make sure it's not flagged as a bad source.

As for HDMI 1.3, I'm not sure, but I would guess that it's going to be the same plug and cable, and just have more capabilities. They have been talking about adding a retaining clip to HDMI, though.

[NMyTree]

It's so easy to determine and confirm whether someone is an authorized dealer, just contact the company/manufactor. That goes for not only Parasound, but for all companies. Just make a phone call or send an e-mail.

While I believe some consumers are unsuspecting customers, that get hooked in by "too good to be true prices". They also fail to confirm the dealer as being authorized, because of the "amazing low price".

I feel the consumer has to take a little responsibility too. A simple phone call is all that's required. That's really not much to ask.

If you're talking to Brent, you can't go wrong. Brent is the MAN! Great guy, very helpful, knowledgeble, patient, straight-forward and takes good care of his customers!

[Hirogen]

They have been talking about adding a retaining clip to HDMI, though.

I would sure hope so, the current HDMI plug sucks big time, the connection is way too fragile/loose. I can't believe that they didn't test this aspect more thoroughly before dumping it on the market.

[WOTG]

Ok guys i know it sucks to see your parsound pruducts not beeing state of the art cutting edge technology annymore. But remember this; the halo line is now in its forth year if im not mistaken, in 2002 no one had heard of HDMI and DVI was still in its infancy. Parasound would have to had a completly diffrent hardware and software structure (and maybe a crystall ball :P) to cope with the recent years new tecnologies (HDMI, DVI, Ilink, USB, denonlink, ipod, wlan)
If you need lots og HDMI ports its better to buy a DVDO VP30 or a Crystalio II. As HDMI is a new format there has not been to much testing of its sound capabilities, but the preliminary rapport states tha HDMI has much more jitter than tos-link, aes-ebu and coax. So why bother using HDMI for audio? You want the best dont you?
As for future generations of Parasound products i can only hope that Parasound will take the Integra, meridian aproach to buliding their next preamp. That means having more flexible software and a card based hardware structure. The one thing i hope they DONT change is the design of the products, cus its the best design out there :T
Thanks for reading and coping with my bad english :W

[begood]

Hardware Upgrades are coming for C1 and C2

I have been a long time reader of this forum, but this is my first post. I currently own an A52 amp with a Rotel (RSX-1056) receiver filling in the role as a preamp. After I bought the A52 amp, my next thought was to buy the C2. I knew the Halo processors have been out since 2002 and I was concerned that a new model or possible upgrades may be coming soon. I initially emailed Parasound in 3/2005 regarding this and got the following response from Richard Schram (I was impressed that the president responded to my email):

Dear Mr. Edwards,

Thank you for your inquiry. You've asked a good question.

The C 2 represents the pinnacle of technical prowess and refinement for 24/96k processing. We'll stack up its sound against any competitor's unit which uses 24/192k DACs. That is why not one of the rave reviews we're received has faulted the C 2 for its 24/96k DACs.

That said, a new DSP engine module will be available with 24/192k DACs before the end of 2005. 24/192k DACs are only part of the story, and the reason for developing the new DSP goes far beyond using more modern DACs.

It will incorporate many new features in addition to higher sonic performance. It's been developed with design assistance from Ed Meitner. It will be a drop-in replacement for the C 2's present DSP engine module. We have not worked out the details of an upgrade program yet, nor am I at liberty to discuss specifics of its feature set. Suffice it to say that a C 2 equipped with this will far surpass any controller, other than its big brother, C 1.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance to you.

Kind regards,
Richard Schram
President
Parasound Products, Inc.

When CEDIA pasted, I too was disappointed because I assumed these upgrades mentioned in the above email would have been announced. I sent a second email and received the following response from Richard after my follow-up email was forwarded to him by a Paul Brownlee:

Hi Eric,

Your last message found its way to me.
The new DSP engine with new DACs and other features is undergoing extensive use-testing.
Because a new engine is so complicated to design and execute It takes many months of testing to make sure it doesn't have any bugs. Paul won't have it on his radar screen until we know it's ready to go.
I'd expect it won't be available until the end of 2005.

I appreciate your ongoing interest and your patience and I welcome you to stay in touch with me.

Kind regards,
Richard

I hope I am not breaking any rules by sharing this information, but it was emailed to me by Parasound so I assume it is safe to assume it is public knowledge. Anyways, the upgrade may or may not contain HDMI, but new DACs and a DSP engine will certainly get me excited.

[cameronl]

that is a bonus for sure

CaM

[Peter Nielsen]

Anyways, the upgrade may or may not contain HDMI, but new DACs and a DSP engine will certainly get me excited.

:agree: This is very exciting indeed. A DAC upgrade would be awesome!

Peter

[Chetk]

That IS pretty good news. Of course, we'd need to see a feature set. Plus, we're getting dangerously close to the end of the year. :B

I wonder what he means by "...a C 2 equipped with this will far surpass any controller, other than its big brother, C 1." Is that because the upgrade will be available for the C1 as well? Or does that mean an upgrade to the C2 would still not be as good as the current C1. I think it would be the same upgrade for the C1, but who knows?

[nicholtl]

Considering the DAC's in both the C1 and C2 are identical, I too am confused by that statement...

Whatever the case, a DAC upgrade would breathe YEARS of new life into the controller! I can hardly wait!

[Hirogen]

It will incorporate many new features in addition to higher sonic performance. It's been developed with design assistance from Ed Meitner. It will be a drop-in replacement for the C 2's present DSP engine module.

Wow that's great news, also it won't hurt that Ed Meitner helped with the design. :T

Since he says it will be a "drop-in replacement" I really hope this upgrade will be user-installable.

[kwojciec]

Hi

I initiated this thread in hope that there is something positive in the air and here comes great news. Let us wait for details.
One more remark about HDMI switcher. It has only one output. It seems that you would like to run the video directly to your TV and avoid going through the processor. On the other hand you have to send audio to the processor, so it seems that two outputs are if not necessary than at least desired

best

Krzysztof

[bhuskins]

I wouldn't keep your hopes up guys.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[Blazar]

Why are people holding their breath for a DVD player from parasound... the look? Besides a compatible look for your rack of gear, there is no convincing reason why a company like parasound who has no significant experience with dvd players would make a great flagship.

I would trust my money with the likes of Denon for DVD any day.... they have a proven track record in this regard.

I say stick to your parasound products that you already like and skip this dvd player pipedream nonsense. All it EVER has been is marketing hype.


I also don't see ANY advantage at this stage to the HDMI interface at this point. Clearly single cable interfaces have some place in the grand scheme of things, but there are no major advantages in the current implementation, especially given conflicts with video formats and audio formats that are up and coming.

What we REALLY need is an ANALOG 7.1 channel pre-amp that is "fully-balanced". We need a completely SEPARATE box for audio/video switching so you can easily upgrade interfaces. We also need a separate box for the audio and DD/DTS dacs so these can be upgraded as new stuff comes out when you really are ready to use them. This would also pave the way for outboard SACD/DVD-A dacs if the manufacturer chooses to make them.

Why we haven't moved to pure analog pre-amps is because the manufacturers don't make as much money if you don't upgrade the whole pre-amp every 10 minutes.

[Peter Nielsen]

I would trust my money with the likes of Denon for DVD any day....

Good point, but for professional audio Denon really does not cut it. Denon's flagship is more expensive than the Parasound D3, yet it does not even have balanced outputs which I regard as an absolute necessity for professional gear... True, the D3 might not be state of the art, but at least it fits well in the Halo line with balanced connectors and a matching look.

Peter

P.S. I see that the Denon flagship can be had with balanced outputs and a lot of goodies for $6,600 but at that cost it's already almost three times as expensive as the D3...

[nicholtl]

It's not the DVD player I'm waiting for, personally. It's a DAC upgrade. That's the ONLY thing I want.

[kwojciec]

Hi Brent

does your recent post:

"I wouldn't keep your hopes up guys.

Brent Huskins"

implies that we should not expect the upgrade after all??

Krzysztof

[iceman]

The Denon flagship (5910) is actually an incredible DVD player whose Teranex video processing kills the Faroudja based players like Parasound. And the audio is very strong as well. The balanced outs on the Parasound are still not truly balanced as far as I know. It would be hard to put a differential circuit in that unit for that price.

Hopefully Parasound will upgrade the C1, because if not I would say their market presence will diminish more than it already has.

As far as the D3, I say too little too late. Parasound needs to focus on upgrading the C1 and C2.

[Chetk]

I wouldn't keep your hopes up guys.

That's the most honest thing I've heard Brent say yet. :rofl:

Seriously though :cry:, Brent, are you referring to the DVD player or the DAC upgrade? You're not allowed to comment on items/features from Parasound that may hit the market. But there's nothing stopping you from saying what Parasound is NOT going to do. Is there? That comment above sounds like Parasound is NOT going to do something. Why can't you comment on that?

[kwojciec]

Chet

I wonder if you read the posts about the upgrade the same way I did. I mean there will be new DACs etc for the processor, but there will be no upgrade. This is at least, I guess, what Brent suggested. Perhaps they rename C1/2 to avoid further discussions. Well, it seems that we should start CLUB NAD MASTER SERIES. NAD is going to put their master series on the market pretty soon. This includes processor (M15 $2999), 7 channel amplifier (M25 $2999), universal player (M55 $1799) and 2-channel integrated amplifier (M3-2799). Processor looks really good and it is comparable (if not better) with C2, but of course it has all the toys we are waitng for. I personally look forward to test integrated amplifier. I am thinking about upgrading my front amplification. I have Rotel RB 1080 (2x200W) and RMB 1075 (5x120). I was thinking about getting A21 (and eventually A51 later on). Jerry's experience made me wait for new Rotel digital amps like RB1092. I guess I also keep thinking about getting 3 9B NuForce monoblocks for the front and keep RB1075 for the back. However, this M3 looks great and it is powerful enough. I will try to audition M3 as soon as it will be avalable

best

Krzysztof

[Chris D]

I always laugh when I read about "NAD". :rofl: Must be my immaturity coming out. Krzysztof, I'd wonder about a 7 channel amp for $2999--either that's a really good deal, it's a so-so amp, or maybe it's digital.

begood, I realized I never gave you an official welcoming banana. Welcome to the Guide and Club Parasound! :banana:

Brent, any new news that you know that others don't?

[begood]

Thanks for the banana. It made my day!

[kwojciec]

Now Chris

you may ridicule NAD. We proud Halo owners are supposed to own much better stuff and I think it is true up to this point. However, NAD products have a lot of positive revies and Master Series is supposed to be something special. The separate division was created to deal with the Master Series and, judging form the size of NAD, this division may be larger than Halo and may have more resurces at its disposal. Look up the tread on AVS Forum (Ultra High End gear). As far as the amplifiers. I am still waitng to audition Rotel digital amplifiers. If I have any doubts about the sound of RB 1092 (2 x 500 W) then I get myself A51. The problem is that I do not have a chance to audition Halo gear here in Indy. Well, I guess I have to trust Brent and in fact I trust him

best

Krzysztof

[Peter Nielsen]

However, NAD products have a lot of positive revies and Master Series is supposed to be something special.

To me, NAD=Great electronics for the money, a very reputable company (they've been around for more than two decennia), but housed in a box with a very frugal look... Looking at their web pages today, it seems like the NAD amps look exactly the same way today as they did in the early 80's :E

NAD may sound good, but the looks... yeeech! You have to hide it away...

Maybe that's what the "Master Series" is finally all about. A nice looking chassis! :B :T

Peter

[Chris D]

Ah, no actually, no insults being made. I think NAD is fine equipment.

For our international Club members, you may not realize that in American slang, "Nad" = "male genitalia".

That's the funny thing.