I've been lurking for a while but this is my first post. I'm thinking about adding an amplifier to my current system. I have a Denon AVR4802 receiver driving Paradigm Studio 60v2 mains, 20v2 surrounds, CCv2 center and a PW2200 sub. Sources include a Sony SCD-C222ES CDP, Oppo DV971H DVD and Yamaha YP-D6 turntable w/ Grado Gold Cartridge. I would use the Denon as the Pre/Pro until I could upgrade to a stand alone Pre/Pro. I listen to a mix of movies (60%) and music (40%). I'm looking for a amp that is warm but at the same time very detailed. I'm curious about the Halo A51 and wonder how it would match with the Paradigms. Any insights would be helpful.
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nbourbaki, welcome to Club Parasound and the Guide! :banana: In general, adding a stand-along amplifier to a system with previously only a receiver is a good move, and the A51 certainly wouldn't disappoint. As far as Paradigm specifically, I think we had a club member a while back that used those. Let's see if anybody here currently has experience with that combo.
You may want to look up your local Parasound dealer and go find out yourself, though!
CHRIS
Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
- Pleasantville -
Wow, very similar setup. I added an A51 to my Denon 4802 driving Studio 40s and I could immediately tell the difference. Wider soundstage and tighter bass. There are a bunch of 4802 reviews that praise its pre/pro but say the amp section really muddies up the sound.
You'd do great with any external amp on the 4802 but the A51 is an incredible amp.
-MikeComment
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Thanks for the welcome Chris. The closest Parasound dealer is about 40 miles away. I'm hoping to audition the A51 this weekend.
Mike, I couldn't ask for a closer match. Good to hear that there is synergy between the Halo and Paradigm Studios. I've read one review on Secrets for the AVR-4802 that praised the pre/pro but felt the amp section wanting.
I auditioned the Anthem Statement P5 this evening. The dealer was only 2 miles away. Not a bad amp. Plenty of power but cold. They had it hooked up to a pair of Energy V2.4i. I'm not sure if the speakers were the problem or the amp but the pairing was on the bright side of neutral. I guess the search is half the fun.Comment
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I will say that I am using the 5250 (I know, not the same as the A51) with my Paradigm S8's and LOVE IT!!! I could not ask for better...Comment
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Well I auditioned the A51s today. All I can say is Wow! They were hooked up to a pair of Klipsch RF-83 speakers. Just what I was looking for. Transparency, strong fast bass and a very sweet mid-range. And I'm not a fan of Klipsch speakers. Now I need to decide between a Factory refreshed unit or a brand new one. Difference in price between the two is about $750 USD. Do the Factory refreshed units look like new? Has anyone had any trouble with a factory refreshed unit?Comment
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B-stock (factory refreshed) may possibly have stains or minor blemishes. Don't choose B-stock if you're a perfectionist.Originally posted by nbourbaki
I got all my stuff A-stock, because I was told there is no guarantee against minor cosmetic issues on a B-stock unit...
PeterComment
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I guess I need to spend the extra money. I am a perfectionist.Comment
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Now I'm really excited. My dealer called today to let me know the amp was in. After a few conference calls tomorrow I'll make the 40 mile drive (each way) to pick it up. Last night I assembled my new Salamander Synergy S40 rack to replace the S30 rack (which wouldn't have enough space for the A51). I'm still a week away from having my Van Den Hul integration interconnects. Can't wait until this amp is part of my system!Comment
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Cool, man! Double new toys! :banana: I use a Triple S30 Salamander Synergy rack, of which the middle tower is all my Halo gear. (see the Parasound picture thread) CHRIS
Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
- PleasantvilleComment
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I too, use Salamander racks. Not just for the sexiness factor, not just cause they get listed in Stereophile's Recommended Components, but because how can you beat a name like SALAMANDER??Comment
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Well, I guess you could create A/V racks called "Icky Bathub Drain Hairball", but it just doesn't sound the same.
CHRIS
Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
- PleasantvilleComment
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Hehe, I think that Finite Elemente SPIDER beats that name :B :W :TOriginally posted by nicholtl
PeterComment
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Everything is now set up and in the new rack. The Denon AVR-4802 trigger doesn't seem compatable with the 2.5mm patch cord supplied with the Halo. I set it up for Auto on with the sensitivity at the 12 oclock position. Unfortunately, it shut off in the middle of a movie. Not a quiet portion of the movie but in the middle of dialog. I'd like to avoid making the family turning the amp on a off manually. So I'll have to dial in the sensitivity or figure out what kind of cable I need to use the trigger on the Denon with the Halo. Any advise on that would be greatly appreciated.
The Halo sounds great a real night a day difference between the internal Denon amp and the Halo. It definitely took the edge off the sound. Voices seem more natural. I'll take some pictures later today and post them in the pictures thread.Comment
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I don't think the AVR-4802 has a 12V DC trigger output. However, it does have switched outlets. The solution is to pick up a Radio Shack 12V DC adapter with 2.5mm plug. Plug the adapter in the switched AC outlet of the Denon and let it supply the 12V trig signal. All you need is:Originally posted by nbourbaki
#273-1662 Adaptaplug 12V DC Power adapter
#273-1708 Adaptaplug E 2.5mm
PeterComment
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Thanks Peter that's a great idea! I'll run over to my local Radio Shack tonight for the parts.Comment
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Thanks a lot Peter. That worked like a charm. Now the family won't have to touch the Halo! I hope to keep as many finger prints off of that Amp as I can.Comment
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:T
PeterComment
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I've never been able to get the "auto-detect" working on my A51, either with or without a trigger from the pre/pro on the 4802.
-MikeComment
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What do you mean "with or without a trigger"? The 4802 does not have a 12V trigger, that's why you need to use the trick I describe above.Originally posted by mikepinkerton
PeterComment
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The 4802 does have a trigger, though not a standard jack and I'm not sure what the voltage is.Originally posted by Peter Nielsen
[IMG]4802 Remote Trigger.jpg[/IMG]
Your solution works like a charm and saved me the trouble of figuring out what Denon supplied.Attached FilesComment
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Niles has a device that can work between the 4802's non-standard trigger and the A51. When the the Niles piece is supplied the unknown voltage from the 4802, it then outputs 12 volts to the amp to turn it on.Comment
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The A51 also has an "auto" mode where it will turn on when it detects signal from the pre/pro. This doesn't work either, regardless of the sensitivity level I use. I just gave up after trying for a while.
That's what i meant by "with or without the trigger". Sorry for the confusion
-MikeComment
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Just wanted to say thanks to Peter, the Radio Shack solution worked perfectly!!! That should get a banana!
-MikeComment
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Brent, out of curiosity, what's the cost of this Niles device?Originally posted by bhuskins
Thanks,
PeterComment
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It's the SAS-1 from Niles which actually does a lot more than described above. It just happens to accept a 5v to 30v input at a minimum of 20 mA and then when received will output 12v in addition to the speaker and line level switching it will handle. The MSRP is $229.95 - ouch - if all you need is the voltage conversion.
It's a small world Peter, as I've sold/installed a couple of whisperflow units in my time. We've come full circle. :TComment
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:B :B :B :T :T :TOriginally posted by bhuskins
PeterComment
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Because I'm a pretty hard core video nut at heart, as well as more than a little out in left field on the audio side, I'm not generally one to get worked up over Pre-Pro's - most don't offer a combination of technology that hit's on all cylinders for me... 7.1 or 9.1 or whatever doesn't really count... -
I just wanted to post and say I am amazed at the difference my new a51 makes for 2channel music and movies. I was using my Denon 4802 as a full receiver, but now just as a pre/pro. All that changed was the amp.
Music sparkles, more airy. Bass is tight in the low midrange. I can feel it... -
My first post to Club Halo/Parasound is to request some warranty feedback. I am considering purchasing a used (less than 1 year old) Halo A51 amplifier. It would replace an Aragon 8008 (running my front B&W 803's) and a Rotel 1075 (running my center HTM1 and rear 805's). My pre-pro is a Rotel... -
Hi all,
I'm a frequent poster on the B&W speakers forum, but a first-time poster here on the Parasound board.
Tonite I'm going to pick up a Parasound Halo A51 amp that I picked up on Audiogon. It will be running my set of B&W 805 Signatures. My pre-pro is currently... -
A51 connected to pre outs of Denon 4802. No matter what the sensitivity is set to, I can't get the Auto Turn-on to flip the unit on. I've seen other posts about this, but it seems like it really should work. Even if there's signal on all 5 channels (DD 5.1 input signal), nada.
Has anyone...
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