Parasound and Legacy.... Opinions anyone??

[eraserhead]

Looking to see if anyone in the forum has any experience with the parasound line and legacy whispers / marquis center / victoria surrounds. I’m considering an upgrade in the very near future – and am assessing the economic feasibility of the move.

I’m currently running a c1/a51 combo – driving M&K s150’s. There’s nothing terribly wrong with my current setup, albeit – I am in SERIOUS doubt about M&K’s future – and am really thinking that now would be a good time to find a buyer for my gear – before it devalues. Granted, legacy's price-point is a huge jump from M&K... but as long as i'm taking the dive - i figure it would be best to be in it for the long-haul.

The whispers are quite a set of speakers, there’s no doubt about it – in the long term – I will probably be upgrading the amplification to the JC line to facilitate the power requirements of these speakers.

In a round about sort of way – my questions are as follows…..

1. Has anyone heard this combination of gear? What did you think? (i do understand that sound quality is very much in the eye of the beholder - nevertheless i'd be interested in hearing impressions).

2. Will the a51 be okay for the first few months of ownership – whilst I rustle up a few more grand for a proper amp upgrade.

3. Is the JC-1 the direction to go if I wish to upgrade my amplification?? Any better suggestions?


Thanks in advance for any / all input…

[blownrx7]

Legacy would be an excellent choice

First my disclaimer, no I do not own the speakers in question.
I used to own the Legacy Classics and I still own the Silver Screen.
As far as sound is concerned, I feel you will be making a HUGE step up.
From what I understand, the M&K's can sound a little shrill, so the Legacy's will be a lot more gratifying to listen to.
I sometimes wish I still had the Classics - they were that good and a bargain at the price-poiint.
I still own the Silver Screen because it is that good - timbre matching be damned - it just sounds great as a center channel.
BTW, oh yeah, Parasound content: I'm using my C1/A51 to drive Von Schweikert 4.5's, VR2's for surround and the SilverScreen center.
So, to answer your questions:
1. I never owned the speakers you want, but knowing the product-line/sound signature, I feel you can't go wrong here. The Legacy's sound great to my ears, do nothing one could consider objectionable and have plenty of ooomph for HT. And still a bargain compared to many other speaker lines. It will be awesome!
2.You wont go wrong with the A51. Hey it's still 200 WATTS! Unless you're trying to fill a REALLY big room with high SPL, the amp won't run out of steam.
3. That being said, the JC1's would be an even nicer match and the direction I would go if I had the funds.

Hope this helps.
Envious.

[REOFan]

You Can't Go Wrong

I own a pair of Whispers (Walnut with cherry stain) and drive them with JC 1s. It's hard for me to imagine that you will be disappointed. I love the sound of the Whispers (and the bass, the quality of which seems to be questioned on some internet forums, is more that satisfying). I listen primarily to classic rock, but also listen to jazz, blues, pop, and country, and the Whispers always deliver the goods--they rock, they boogie, they waltz. Plus, for me, the Whispers certainly look striking (sans grills). They do duty in my two-channel set up. Many visitors have suggested they would be wonderful in a home theater set up--and I agree.

Someday I may just set them in a stereo/home theater system. I bought the Whispers (after auditioning the Focus 20/20s in my home) after a visit to a Chicago dealer because I was convinced--still am--they would work in either a small or large room. My audio room--in the basement of my home--is small, but the Whispers work wonderfully. My best friend, who purchased the 20/20s the year before I ordered my Whispers, agrees with me. But when the day comes that I move into a larger space (say my living room when my 10-year-old son goes to college), I know the Whispers will suit that environment just fine.

I ordered--and used--the Parasound Jc 1s before I even contemplated owning the Whispers. They certainly controll the Whispers--particulary the bass. I biwire, which I think helps. I have no complaints with either the loudspeakers or the amps.

As I said before, I cannot imagine you will not be satisfied with a Parasound - Whisper set up. I've auditioned many loudspeakers in my time, but the Legacys (any floorstanding model) deliver the best overall sound I've heard: rich, full, musical, and holographic.

One caution: I bet you have the entire neighborhood over once your system is up and running. You may have to purchase a popcorn machine. undefined

Please let me know if have any other questions.