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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
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
The Parasound Halo A21 is a fine amp, it would be a mistake to swap it for an integrated. The preamp is largely responsible for the timbre and sonic signature of the system. 
There are many options for a preamp with more dynamics and extended range.
213runnin OP
914 posts
 
I think the JC2 would be out of my budget at this point. I’d like to keep the amp for sure unless a really fine integrated is an option. I listened to the P7 again after I started this thread, and it really does sound pretty nice. I’m just wondering is there a stand alone 2 channel pre that would supersede it for say under 1100 new or used.

As for a replacement preamp, I’m kind of scratching my head for something that has at least a few inputs and a phono stage.  I don't need to integrate it into a theater set up, I have a separate system for that.
erik_squires
16,334 posts
 
As a current P7 owner, I have some thoughts.

I have had the chance to listen to the P7 vs. the Mytek Brooklyn DAC wired directly to my amps.  The Brooklyn has it's own analog volume control.  So I've been able to directly compare how the P7 changes the sound.

By comparison, I don't think the P7 is tonally at fault, so much as  slightly compressed, and lacking in imaging when compared to the very best tube preamps. It doesn't lack extension so much as effortlessness.

Still, it's a trade-off I make for being able to have a single system for music and home theater.  That and the fact I'm not made of money!! :)


atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,931 posts
 
If you have a smaller budget, you might consider getting an older tube preamp and having it refurbished. But the question is whether you would need tone controls or not.

You've not really talked about your room! I know its carpeted; what sort of furniture is there? What are the walls and ceiling like? If the room itself is really dead, you may not be able to get more highs (properly) without a tone control or the like. I personally think its a Bad Idea to equalize the room; in every case I have seen where room correction was employed the room correction device itself proved to have its own signature.

So I find it easier in many cases to work with the room itself.

213runnin OP
914 posts
 
The room has the usual wallboard walls and ceiling.  I didn't mention that aside of the 17x18 ft room, there is an offshoot, an "L" that is 10 x 16 with 8 ft ceiling.  the whole space is kind of a work out/multi use/storage area.  The main part has only furniture around the edges;  cd rack, big bluray/LP rack, computer desk, treadmill.  But I'm just trying for a little more air in the sound.  There is nothing between the listening chair and the system, about 9-10 feet.  

Perhaps as several have said, the P7 or A21 are not at fault.  I'll try the Pioneer cd player and maybe swap out the cables for some cheap fine strand copper.  I was going to sell the P7, but it looks like I'd need to either increase the budget by a fair bit or go with tubes.  And I'm not interested in tubes either.
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