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Parasound A21

Hi Guys,

This is my first post so please accept my appologise for being not technical/ wrong!

I've a set up consisting of

CD Player Primare CD31
Speakers Paradigm S4
Parasound speaker stands
Subwoofer 2 x Rel T3
Preamp Parasound P3
Power amp Parasound A21
Belkin power purifier
Nordost Red Dawn interconnects XLR and RCA
Nordost Red Dawn biwire speaker cables

I'm pretty happy with my system but i still feel somehow it isn't completed! Hence, I've 2 questions which i'd like your advices/ comments on?

1. To me, the use of XLR on my system doesn't produce as good sound as RCA (interconnect between CD player and Preamp) due to RCA allows me to adjust the Treble and Bass on the Parasound P3. Will this story be completely opposite with say the Parasound JC2 preamp?

2. I'm tempting to obtain a used Parasound A21 to trial biamp or bridge mono setup. I do understand this is not a real biamp as i still have the passive cross overs in my speakers! (my gears are still under warranty). Hence, can you guys please give me some advices on whether i should biamp/ bridge mono? I love to have more of that airness sound come out of the speakers (not sure if i've explained correctly here!)

Thanking you all in advance for your advices
Tim
primare_cd31
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
Milpai,

Primare CD31 does have balance/ XLR outputs. I run XLRs through out my entire system. However, the big improvement achieved through adding the Parasound JC2. However, i still have a weak link in my system! and it's the Parasound A21. The JC2 was made to be used with JC1's

What's your setup?
milpai's avatar
milpai
1,341 posts
 
With the new speakers you have the A21 may be the weak link and you are right there. In my system the A21 is awesome and the JC1s would have been an overkill. I have read a review on the A21 where the professional reviewer does mention that the A21 was a different beast with XLRs. I fail to understand that part, as the A21 is not truly balanced.
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
I guess the A21 with 250w/ channel is about enough for my Kef 205/2. However, beside being almost fully balance, the JC1s also have a lots more current then A21 - 60 vs 135 amperes and current = control
I guess JC1s will be my next upgrade!

Has anyone pair the JC1s with JC2? Do they sound much better than A21 with JC2?

Thanks
jdub39
262 posts
 
I'm intrested in hearing if anyone noticed improvements with XLR's. I've tried AQ columbia ,King Cobra and now Morrows MA2 all RCA. The MA2 has made my A21 sound like it cost twice the price with strong sweeps and powerful cresendo's with a super sweet top end and not to mention the PS audio AC-10 powercable, this combo is unreal!
primare_cd31 OP
66 posts
 
IMO, If you have a close to fully balance system, good cables and ref. type speakers then i'd say XLR's will do better. RCA's tend to give more artificial sound and narrower sound stage
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