Amp Purchase Recommendation

[mike_l]

Hi Guys,

I am close to purchasing speakers/separates and would appreciate everyone’s input. The speakers will either be Paradigm Studio 100's (v4), Signature S8 (v2) or Signature S6 (v2). The Studios are available now and the Signatures may be available in March. My interest is 60% movies - 40% music.

Amp characteristics I seek:
New product
Class A/B - Minimum 200 WPC
Price - Between $2,000 - $5,000
Class D - I am unsure and need input.
Use - 5 channels, monoblocks are acceptable
Sound Characteristics - Clarity, neutral, more than enough clean power. If there is slight coloration, it would smooth out the upper end of the Paradigms.

I am strongly considering the following amps:

Parasound A51 - I assume the A51 has adequate power at 250 WPC. I have read good reviews discussing sound and build quality (except for the back panel?). Downside, how much is heat generation an issue?

Rotel 1095 - 200 WPC. Good price/value ratio.

Bryston 4B SST & 6B SST - 300 WPC

1.) Can you comment on the positives and negatives for each above? Which would you choose?
2.) Do Class D amps have comparable sound quality to Class A/B? Enough to choose over Class A/B? What is your recommended WPC for Class D? The small size, less heat and lower electricity draw are secondary benefits, however, sound is my primary interest.

Thank you very much guys, I appreciate your expertise.

Mike

[blownrx7]

I'll caveat my comments with the fact that I own the A51, seriously considered the Bryston and know only a little about the Rotel and have dismissed the Class D amps (for now) based on others comments concerning sound quality and price/performance/resale value. That being said, I have become somewhat familiar with the "sound" of these amps after many hours, days, weeks, months, years of "research"...
Now, based on your speakers and your desire for synergy with the the Paradigms, the A51 is the best of them and would go out on a limb and say it is better than the Class D amps (again, no experience but have read about them extensively). The A51 is the most neutral of all of them. The Bryston (and the Class D amps) will do the Paradigms no favors on the top end and the Rotel appears to be a notch below the A51 in clarity and musicality (I base that comment on the views of other Parasound owners (a few who have owned a Rotel as well).
That being said, all the amps are high quality and one could be happy with any of them, I just feel you will be happiest with the A51. I know I am.
All have more than enough power to drive the Paradigms adequately.
Oh, one more thing. Heat generation is not any more of an issue with the A51 than it would be for the Rotel or the Bryston. This is different than the JC-1 where heat is a larger consideration.
HTH

[mike_l]

Thanks for the response HTH. I definitely wanted to hear your thoughts on the A51 considering you own it. It's one thing to have an opinion; it's another to actually live with the component. I'm glad you are enjoying it. I'm also glad to hear that heat is not an issue. I was somewhat worried. What speakers do you have? Also, any idea on a good price for a "new" A51?

I have been seeing more and more info about Class D amps. I'm not sure what to think yet. I'll need to do some auditioning. The small size would be nice.

Mike

[Peter Nielsen]

Class A - Minimum 200 WPC
Price - Between $2,000 - $5,000

You obviously mean Class AB. You won't find a 200W Class A amp in that price range. (The Parasound JC1 is 25W).

Class D - I am unsure and need input.

Have a look at the PS Audio amps. A very good value can be had by making a 5 channel amp out of different module sizes, for instance 1000W modules for front/center and 500W modules for the surrounds. This leaves two empty slots in the chassis that you at a later date can equip with 2 more channels. I really like their design...

Parasound A51 - I assume the A51 has adequate power at 250 WPC.

Heat generation is acceptable. No big problem if you can spare at least 4" on top of the unit. A practicality is the DEPTH of the unit. Most standard racks can't accommodate the ~22" that you'll need for practical use.

The A51 sounds great, but if you need a lot of power, amps like the A21 and JC1 work better for the two front channels.

Rotel 1095 - 200 WPC. Good price/value ratio.

Good amp. Good value. Less wow factor :B Personally I think the finish is a little too spartan...

Bryston 4B SST & 6B SST - 300 WPC.

A classic manufacturer. Highly regarded. Exceptional 20 years transferrable warranty. Advantage over Parasound in that they offer 3-channel amps, which lets you power your fronts&center with, say, 3x300W and use a second smaller amp for the surrounds...

Do Class D amps have comparable sound quality to Class A?

You really can't generalize! However, let me say that the difference between Class AB amps is much more subtle than the difference between Class D amps. There are Class D amps that sound horrible and others that sound great. IMHO there are two good choises out there: 1) Amps based on the Bang&Olufsen ASP module (PS Audio, Rotel, etc) 2) True digital amps from TACT Audio

All in all it depends what you're looking for. Parasound won't give you the same kind of approval from Audiophiles that brands like Bryston and Classe would. Personally, I feel that Parasound is very much on par with Bryston...

Peter

[mike_l]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for correcting me regarding the Class A/B. I will check out the Class D amps. No question it comes down to how they sound to the individual. My hesitancy is based on hearing/reading such conflicting opinions. It gets confusing and can be an expensive mistake.

Regarding heat, my plan is to place the components in a curio, if possible. Perhaps a fan will be required.

Peter, are you saying the primary benefit of the A21/JC1 combo is the JC1, considering the A21 is 250 WPC, as is the A51? What would you recommend for the remaining 2 channels, another A21?

I have listened to the Rotel and find it to be a quality amp, spartan looks aside. I totally agree on the price/value and consider it a contender. Thanks for the PS Audio recommendation, I will give them a listen, as well as Classe.

Mike

[Peter Nielsen]

considering the A21 is 250 WPC, as is the A51?

Both are 250W, but the watts are "different". Electrically they both produce 250W, but while doing so, they sound different. The A21 has a better power supply and will work better at high power levels.

An A21 for the fronts and A51 for the rest of the channels is an excellent combo. You could also do A21+A52 if you're on a budget.

Thanks for the PS Audio recommendation, I will give them a listen, as well as Classe.

I'm sure your pocketbook will tell you to go with Parasound :T
(Classé amps are a bit pricey, especially when you go up to the JC-1 range. The JC-1 is IMHO much better value than the Classé M400. Both sound great of course...).

Peter

[blownrx7]

Mike,
For a good deal on Parasound equipment, shop around and then check with Brent Huskins http://www.htguide.com/forum/member.php4?u=1265 a frequent contributor and a sponsor of this site. I have not personally bought anything from him (got all my stuff on the used market) but others have been quite satisfied with the deals he has given. Do mention you are an htguide member
Here is his website:

http://www.mdaoe.com/

Blownrx7

[Chris D]

... or just click on the link at the top and bottom of each HTGuide page!

[mike_l]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I have been trying to check out some equipment but have had no luck. Unfortunately, there are only 2 Parasound retailers in the Chicago area! I'm suprised there aren't more stores that carry Parasound products. In fact, there are limited hifi stores period. I'm sure others have been through this as well. I may need to check out my adjacent states!

[REOFan]

Parasound Dealers

Mike,

Essential Audio in Barrington, IL (check out website: essentialaudio.com) deals Parasound Halo. I bet Brian Walsh could give you some sound advice. Also, I've had luck with Audio Advisor (though since they're in MI, you can't demo products firsthand). I think you have several options--good news. Myself, I love the Halo products. Best of luck in making a decision that satisfies you.

[Savannah]

Peter
Do you feel that parasound halo and classics amps are on par with classe amps i.e. 2 channel and 5 channel
thanks

[Peter Nielsen]

Peter
Do you feel that parasound halo and classics amps are on par with classe amps i.e. 2 channel and 5 channel
thanks

Pretty much, yes. You pay more for Classé because of the highly regarded brand name and the fact that they don't bear the "Made in Taiwan" sticker that Parasound amps have. AFAIK, Classé amps are "Made in Canada" where labor is much more expensive than in Taiwan.

The comparison is very much like a comparison between two cars, Made in USA and Made in Korea... It's very subjective. Some people, like me, would never consider buying an Asian car...

For instance the Parasound JC-1 and Classé M400 are very similar. You pay a lot for the Classé brand name when it comes to these two amps. IMHO the Parasound wins hands down because of the lower street price. However, if you have the money to spend, a pair of Classé Omegas would never be put to shame. The value/price ratio is debatable, but the fact that the Omega is an awsome amp is not :B

Peter