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Replacing Parasound p7, but with what?

The rest of the system is a Nad c565BEE player and a Halo A21.  Speakers are Sierra 2 or Tannoy Saturn DC6, depending on my mood.  With Wireworld Oasis 7 speaker cables and MA3 Morrows with Eichmann bullets.  Also one pair of  Silver stager Solids.  I've got a iPhone doc that passes digital into the Nad, which does a pretty good job with the processing.

It'a half open basement concept, about 500 square feet, but the main listening area is about 17 by18 with 9 foot ceilings, carpeted.  The sound is on the warm side, I fine that the top frequencies are reduced and I've heard that that's Parasound's sonic signature.  I've also read that their amps are better than their preamps.  Also, I suspect that the imaging isn't as good as it could be for that kind of money with the pre.  

So, any thoughts or suggestions?  I've considered the Wyred STP-SE, Nad C165BEE and selling the amp too for Nad's new c388 integrated.  Emotiva won't do it for me, but I'd like a little more top end.
213runnin
samac's avatar
samac
499 posts
 
213runnin,

You have assembled a great system. Though I'm not familiar with your speakers I have spent quite a few hours listening to the Parasound combo you have. Anytime I've listened to them I've been very impressed with the treble. It has excellent detail and resolution and the decay of notes is the best I've heard this side of tubes.

I use the WireWorld Oasis SC along with the WireWorld Equinox IC. If I had the gear you have I think I might try the WireWorld Equinox or Eclipse IC before I considered any new components.

I think it would very interesting (in a good way) to hear a WireWorld combo with your Parasound gear.

Cheers,

Scott
213runnin OP
914 posts
 
I've received other communication suggesting it's not the Parasound stuff.  When I compared using the same tracks, it seemed to me that a Nad C356BEE had a little more high frequency detail, though it was not as refined as the Halo gear.

I'll try swapping in a different cd player tonight.  I don't have much in the way of speaker cable options, but 14 gauge fine strand copper right now.
samac's avatar
samac
499 posts
 
Yes, listening to what another CD player sounds like it would be good idea. Does the 356BEE sound soft playing CDs direct to the P7? Makes me wonder if the iPhone/iPod doc passing digital to the 356BEE might be causing the soft top end.

I still think it would be very interesting replacing the Morrow interconnect with WireWorld. Your Oasis 7 speaker cable is excellent.

Cheers,

Scott
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,846 posts
 
The reason the Parasound is softer on top isn't because it has less high end!

Its because it has less distortion! John Curl (the designer) is well aware that the higher ordered harmonics in trace amounts can cause brightness, since the ear converts distortions of all types into tonality.

This is why tubes tend to sound smooth BTW. They don't make as much higher ordered harmonic distortion.

If I were you I would hang on to the amp- if you want more high end I would look into cables and possibly a preamp with tone controls, or do something with the room to make it more lively (the room is 50% of any system's sound so this might be the place to start).
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