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Differences in sound in Parasound P3 and P5

Hello.  Has anyone ever compared these two preamps, soundwise?  Any notable impressions of one over the other? Why choose one over the other?    Again, soundwise only please. 


Thanks!

shtinkydog
213runnin
562 posts
 
All you have to do is search online for Parasound P5 opinions, most are quite impressed.  But like everything else, it depends on the rest of the system, the cables, the room and the listener's preferences.  No single component is loved by 100% of owners.

And sorry, can offer no help to the OP's comparison.
shtinkydog OP
40 posts
 

Thanks guys.  Anyone else COMPARE these two preamps face to face, toe to toe ( you get the idea ), regardless of features/bells/whistles/balls??

erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
I'm wondering if you should not be comparing the P3 and P7 instead though. The P7 is a better preamp than the P5 by far, even if you only use it for 2 channel. 
shtinkydog OP
40 posts
 

Hi Erik.  Im not sure if I wanna stretch that far.  Ive read plenty of good things about the P7, and if I could afford it right now, I would get it, or a nice tubed pre. I've read a lot of good stuff on the Schiit Freya too, and a lot of bad as well.  I would assume the p7 and the Freya are in two separate leagues.  Again, I assume.  If the price for a used p7 is right, I might just go it's route.

Thanks!

auxinput
1,538 posts
 

The Parasound P5 is a current product, but if you look internally you will see a switching power supply and rather lean circuit board.

The P3 is a discontinued product, but it has a beefy linear power supply and much more in the audio circuit.  I would choose the P3.

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