Getting a C2 for Demo Tomorrow

[Kingdaddy]

Brent Huskins of Media Design should be bringing by a C2, either tomorrow or Friday for me to try out. No Amps are available right now so I’ll have to just evaluate the C2 against my existing Sony TA-E9000ES Pre/Pro. This should be interesting; the fact that my speakers are all active with Marchand crossovers should be a real good test for the noise floor, and ground loop hum. My Sony is a bit week in this department even after Power Cord and Power Supply mods, and I would like to see if the C2 will improve this. Also I’m hoping the “Enhanced bass” mode will help with my loss of LFE mix going to the subwoofers when the front speakers are set to “Large”.

I’ll post any thoughts in a couple of days after I have some time to set up and listen a bit.

[Adz]

What did you mean exactly when you said you currently have "a loss of LFE mix going to the subwoofers when the front speakers are set to “Large”."




Adz

[Kingdaddy]

When I set my Front to large the sub only has very little output, when I select Small the sub comes back on line very strong. Anyway it doesn’t look like I can get demo after all, I have not heard from Brent since he last told me he was bringing by a C2, this is the second time I was promised a demo and both have fell through, so I'll give up for now. Maybe I can find a good online site to buy from that has a trial period.

[goose]

Hey kingdaddy,

I do some side sales/consulting for a custom installer in Plano who is a Halo dealer. I've got 2 C1's at my house as a matter of fact (one is mine, one I'm holding for a friend). I don't want to step in on someone else's deal but if that falls through and I can help out, let me know.

[Kingdaddy]

Actually I don't know what to do, I never thought it would be so hard to spend so much, seems like Brent just don’t want to do business, he has blown me off 3 times now. I have been trying to audition a C2 and 2 A52's for over 2 months now but I just can’t make this happen. Brent quoted me a very good price that I don’t think anyone else can compete with but I will be glad to let you quote me on the package if you wish, it doesn’t look like I'm going to be able to do business with Brent.

Drop me an email if you wish
mkeith@ftav.com

[Kingdaddy]

Well, I finally got a C2 for demo yesterday, I'm working on a full review comparing it to my Sony TA-E9K setup, but that will take some more time as I'm still trying to get everything setup. The Microphone seems to be dead so I couldn’t check out the Auto-Cal features which is a shame. Also I noticed that when I go into the Auto-Cal mode, all controls are locked out on the front panel, "Exit" won't even work, I have to push the ESC key on the remote several times to get it out of Auto-Cal, is this right?

Another problem I'm having is with the Movie modes, I was watching Finding Nemo and I noticed the vocals were very heavy and tubby at the bottom and it didn’t sound quite right (like the tweeter is muffled) so I tried switching to another Movie mode but all I could get is

“Direct THX”
“Direct”
“Mono”
“Stereo”

If in the direct mode I could push the THX button on the remote and see the THX light up on the main display, but I couldn’t get into any of the adjustments that the manual talks about. Maybe I have an old software version, anyone know how to tell what version of software is loaded in the unit?

Besides these hiccups the unit is absolutely wonderful, so far the sound is far superior to my Sony for Music, and I can see that there is so much flexibility hear that it's going to take a while to get the most out of it. Even with just a quick and dirty setup my system sounds so much better, and the noise floor is considerably less than it was with the Sony.

Any help would be appreciated as it looks like I will be keeping this unit and ordering 2 A-52 amps soon as well.

[bhuskins]

Sorry!

Hi Mike,

Sorry to see the frustration for getting the C2 originally. It really did take a long time to get together which is unusual for me. I'm glad I was finally able to meet up with you and get you a great deal on a "B stock" C2. I know that with any high-end A/V piece it's definitely good to be able to try before you buy. I'm actually settling my schedule down over the next couple of months to be here in the DFW area for a fairly long stretch. Not that typical for me since I travel all over the US to do installs. The "B stock" Halo pieces have been a great deal for people and I'm glad you're one of the lucky few. FYI - Parasound actually has a few more C2's and C1's available as "B stock" that just became available. It takes me about 3 days to get them. No Halo amps though.

Thanks and I'll talk to you soon.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[Kingdaddy]

Thanks brent, it's been a pleasure doing business with you, I totally understand about your schedule, as I mentioned I do the same on aircraft so I know what it's like to have to travel all over with little to no notice. I'll probably be contacting you soon about a Tactile Transducer. I posted a nice review on the AVS forum, I was going to post it hear but this place seems dead, so I wasn't sure, maybe I'll post it later anyway.

[Chris D]

Kingdaddy, I'd be interested to read any review you'd like to put here. I know others would be too! I just got back from another overseas trip and am trying to catch up, but I'm hoping to post some more of my own reviews soon, including integrating my C1 controller with Audio Source amplifiers, Salamander theater seating, and Clark Synthesis tactile transducers. Stay posted!

[Longhorn John]

What do you guys think about the C2 B-Stock? It's listed at AA for $2995. I'm just not sure what's wrong with them to classify as "B" stock. Any of you guys have experience?

[nicholtl]

You should get in touch with Brent Huskins at Media Designs, based in Fort Worth Texas. You can find his info in the authorized Parasound dealers at Parasound's website. He's also the guy who posted a couple above this one. He's helped alot of people on this site, the Klipsch site, and me as well. Nothing but props to him. He can get you an "A" stock C2 for a price that might knock your socks off.

[Longhorn John]

Thanks for the heads up. I will try and get in touch with him.

[ralniv]

What do you guys think about the C2 B-Stock? It's listed at AA for $2995. I'm just not sure what's wrong with them to classify as "B" stock. Any of you guys have experience?

I wouldn't go with AA. My local dealer beat that price on an A stock C2. Talk to your local Parasound dealer(s) and see what they can do for you.

[Longhorn John]

Do you think I could get an "A" stock for about $2500 for the C2? What about the A52?

I appreciate the help.

[ralniv]

Do you think I could get an "A" stock for about $2500 for the C2? What about the A52?

I appreciate the help.

I'm not sure what the policy is on price quoting here, so I'll refrain from direct quotes. My feeling is that you would be hard pressed to get an A stock C2 for $2500. You should be able to nail something in between what AA wanted and your above mentioned price.

I got the A51 amplifier for exactly the same amount as my C2 processor. I do not know what price you can expect for the A52.

[nicholtl]

Yep, me too. The C2 cost the same as the A51. $2500 though is asking a little too much...er...little...

[Longhorn John]

As I am new, I do not want to get in trouble talking specifics on pricing if that's not cool. I am really excited to get some Parasound gear and just want to make sure I am not naive and pay full retail price. The product is very expensive and I could easily see making a $500 mistake.

If you have people you have used before to get your equipment and they are authorized dealers, I'd be happy to talk to them.

[nicholtl]

Any luck with Brent Huskins?

[Longhorn John]

Have not contacted him yet.

[nicholtl]

Oh, but you must.

[bhuskins]

Hi John,

I sent you a PM...

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[Razvan]

I wouldn't go with AA. My local dealer beat that price on an A stock C2. Talk to your local Parasound dealer(s) and see what they can do for you.

I'm also in Orange County, could you please tell me the name of that dealer?

Brent, you could send me a PM as well.

Thanks,

R

[ralniv]

Razvan,

I sent you a PM with details. The dealer is DSS Systems.
Go to

http://www.parasound.com/halonew/usa.asp?state=CA2

and scroll to the bottom to find them.

[Razvan]

Razvan,

I sent you a PM with details. The dealer is DSS Systems.
Go to

http://www.parasound.com/halonew/usa.asp?state=CA2

and scroll to the bottom to find them.

Ralniv, thanks a lot!

Razvan

[Chetk]

Brent,

I bought a C1 B-stock from a local dealer here in Houston. May I ask: When you do your installs, do you use the autocal feature of the C1 or do you fine tune it with sound meters and fine knowledge of the product (note that I'm not saying that using the autocal is not fin knowledge of the product, but I think you know what I mean.)

Are you ever in the North Houston area?

Thanks,

Chet