Halo A21 v. Aragon 8008

[jkscherk]

Hello All,

I currently have a C2 matched with an Aragon 8008ST drving my fronts, with another Acurus A200x5 driving everything else. I was thinking about switching out the 8008 for either an 8008BB (has the balanced inputs) or moving over to an A21.

Has anyone done comparisons between the Halo amps and Aragon amps? I'm most interested in the A21 v. 8008, but would be interested in observations on other models in the the same line as well.

Thanks

[ThomasW]

Nope never heard the Halo, but I have enough 8008's to sink the Titanic. A mix of ST and BB's (8 total at last count) .

Unless you need the current drive of a BB (have weird speaker loads) or are having noise problems that require a balanced IC, I think you'll find that there's not a big difference in the sonics between a ST and a BB

Jon and I are REALLY big on the classic Aragon designs. So to that end we're in the midst of designing a complete upgrade that will take a ST to a fully balanced BB that's has no global feedback (think Theda, BAT solid state, or Ayre). This upgrade is quite a few months away, but you might want to wait and see what develops .....

.




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Chris D]

Good to see Thomas on this board! I'm in the other camp, where I own and listen to the Parasound amps, but haven't personally heard the Aragon. Believe me, it's not because I don't think they're good or anything, I just haven't had the opportunity. From what I do know about them, I have every respect for Aragon. I do know that Thomas knows what he's talking about, so you can treat his info as solid.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Ricky]

I am a big Parasound lover, having owned many of their amps, cd players, tuner, dacs, 5.1 separates. More recently, I used two 2200II 250x2 amps (predecessor to A21, the specs are near identical) to drive my front 3 speakers and sub.

The 8008bb, Bryston 4st, and Classe CA200 are considered a step above the 2200II. Perhaps the Aragon 4004mkII is the 2200II's equal as both were Stereophile rated Class B in 1996. The 8008st is probably slightly improved over the 4004mkII and the A21 slightly improved over the 2200II. To this end, moving from an 8008st to an A21 would be a sideways move (at best).

I became an Aragon fan last year when I got the Soundstage and Stage One prepros. It was only a matter of time before I got Aragon amps. Sure enough last week, after 18 months of not upgrading, I went nuts and got my dream amps: three Palladium IIs Now, with the Aragon Soundstage prepro (very similiar to Aurum preamp) feeding the Palladium IIs, I can't believe this is solid state and not tubes. So smooth, yet detailed and lush. Great bass and super wide and deep soundstage. Like when I had the Rogue magnum 66 tube preamp (paired with Parasound 2200II for over a year), I just want to turn the volume up and up.

Well, back to this thread. I think you should go with an 8008bb. Maybe even keep your 8008st (for the center and one side speaker) and eventually get an 8008x3 to round out your 7 Aragon channels. btw, my mint 8008bb is for sale....blew past my budget and will keep an Aragon 8002 for my rears. I have excellent ebay feedback, and Lex & I go way back.