Parasound Halo A21 Amp

[NMyTree]

I would love to hear some impressions, experiences ...opinions on this Amp.

I'm considering this Amp to drive Wharfedale Opus 2 speakers.

[SpOoNmAn]

I cannot speak for the amp in question, but the others I have heard, and the one I own(A52), all sound unbelievable. And if you care about aesthetics, then look no further, they are easy on the eyes as well. Build quality is excellent.

[nicholtl]

I have the pleasure of owning an A21 and it's quite remarkable. Handles everything you throw at it with precision and authority, although never fails to deliver the slightest hairs of musical nuance whilst doing so. Drive it hard, and then drive it even further, and the dynamics never become compressed or distorted. In fact, your wharefdales and your eardrums will blow before the A21 does. And the best thing about its design and circuitry is that this amp requires no warm-up period. Fire it up and it's ready to deliver its best from minute one.

[NMyTree]

Thanks nicholtl .

You pretty much stated what I want in an Amp. Although, I really don't listen to music or movies that loud, it's nice to know the power is there. I want an Amp that grabs hold of the drivers, and has control of them.

An Amp that lets the music sing right through.

[nicholtl]

That's also the beauty of having 250 watts per channel. Despite not wanting to drive them to their peak potential (and at that volume, who would, right?), it allows to-the-moon headroom so that your dynamics never become compromised, and clipping is a word that will long be forgotten in the past. Even if later down the road you were to upgrade to big, robust, and highly inefficient speakers, the Halo's would still be able to pump the needed juice into them, and then some, plus a bag of ruffles chips.

Oh, and like you said, it's always nice to know that the power is there. Power in reserve, and plenty of it. Gives you bragging rights.

[Chris D]

I own a A51 and A21 pair, and likewise, I have never even come CLOSE to feeling like I was running out of power. Not once have I thought, "hmmmm... the sound is getting a bit weak", or "it's starting to break up in the high range" or "gosh, I better turn it down before I max out my amps and do damage".

BTW, nicholt, I like your equipment lineup. Similar for me. (I've got the Klipsch Legend series, centered on KLF-30 mains) So I guess mine would be something like:

C1, A51, A21. Klipsch. Audio Source. Clark Synthesis. Cat Cables. SVS x 2. Salamander. Dell. Samsung. JVC. Behringer. (more to come soon!)

[nicholtl]

Oooh, excellent lineup Chris. High five for being a fellow brother of the Klipsch cult! Only you beat me cause you have a C1. I guess that's why you're a mod lol.

[NMyTree]

Thank you!

[NMyTree]

Another question.

How would you guys describe the sound of the A21 ?

I know some people feel an Amp has very little (if any at all) effect on the sound presentation, and that source components and material are what determine the sound.


While others believe the Amp plays an important role in the final presentation of the sound.....sonics.

I'm not sure where I stand on this issue right now. I haven't the experience of comparing.

Of course source material and components are always going to play a major role.

But would you say the A21 is on the bright side and forward? Laidback and darker? Is it smooth? Any harshness?

I know people have described it as detailed, which is good.

[nicholtl]

How does the A21 sound? Well hell man, I don't even have the words to describe how brilliant the experience is. No words will do it justice. The bass is snarling, monstrous, like a thunderous beast ROARING at your mother, knashing it's fangs at your little sister, pounding your heart like a bassdrum gone insane. Hands in a bitter cold sweat. And yet controlled like a teacup poodle on a steel leash. The mids are rich, enveloping, consuming. So utterly smooth and relaxing, like warm drizzled chocolate truffle sauce imported from Belgium atop a fine wafer. The highs are simply gorgeous. Transparent, more like. They make the entire livingroom a sweet spot. Treble is hardly recessed, and yet nowhere near a painfully glimmering sparkle...they simply grab you by the balls, consume you whole, chew you up like Jaws, and then spit you back out a shuddering, goose-bumped idiot whose jaw has slammed to the ground with inexplicable awe. You don't just hear the movie -- hell, you don't even experience it -- you LIVE it. And this all occurs amidst the backdrop of golden silence...










































...Ok I'll stop being such a fanboy. Basically, the A21 is awesome. Never a hint of harshness up top, terrific power to drive the most innefficient speakers to sing, great bass extension, very full and rich mids, crisp and utterly clean highs. The amp never shows signs of fatigue, even though I (and others here I know!) crank it to past-reference levels occassionally (when the wife and kids are gone I guess?). The dyamics of the amp are just as distinct at low volumes as they are all pistons firing. Lush, wide open soundstage. In terms of being forward or recessed, I'd say that has more to do with your speakers.

Long story short? You'll love it. And if you need more hard evidence...

http://www.parasound.com/halonew/reviews.asp

[NMyTree]

Thank You nicholtl !

Impressive description. Stephen King, Dean Koontz and dozens of other horror writers , pale in comparison! :B :B

I'm waiting on some prices from my local Parasound dealer, on the Halo C2, A21 and A51. As it looks now I'll be getting all three.

A21 to drive my two front Opus 2 floorstanders, and the A51 for the Center Channel and two rears. This would allow me to expand to 6.1 or 7.1 in the future, with out needing any more amplification.

One thing I need to learn, is how to use two seperate amps in this set up. Would the connections all be coming from the Halo C2, or would I need to bridge the amps in some way?

Seems to me it would all be coming from the C2. But I want to make sure I'm not over-looking something or thinking incorrectly in this matter.

As it turns out, I won't be able to use the Opus Tripole-Surrounds in my system, afterall. My back wall, due to a no longer utilized (blocked up) fireplace, and two poorly placed windows, won't allow it.

So, I'm looking for some bookshelf speakers (on stands). Seriously considering the Wharfedale Evolution 10 (in black piano gloss finish) to fill the role.

[nicholtl]

If and when you get the A51 and A21, you simply connect up to 7 channels (I think you're going to use 5 for now?) via RCA or XLR to the C2, which has, I believe, 9 RCA and XLR outputs (you choose, either or, but not both at the same time). The 8th and 9th outputs are for the additional auxillary channels you can use for anything from extra surrounds to extra subwoofers or a blend of both.

By the way, NMyTree, I sent you a PM.

[NMyTree]

Thanks again, Nick!


Sounds pretty much like I had thought.

Yeah, I'm starting with 5.......then somewhere down the line, I'll add two side speakers.

[Chris D]

:rofl: You're too much, nicholt

[cameronl]

funny as nicholt!

CaM