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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 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.
 
Have you tried adjusting your speaker placement to improve imaging and top-end sonics? For example, if you have an equipment console between the speakers, move the speakers forward into the room away from the front wall and console. Don't place speakers next to any furniture.
Try firing speakers straight ahead or toe-in at an angle to face your listening position. Try moving them wider apart to create more "air" around the speakers.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
Also make sure that the tweeters are pretty close to your height at the listening position.
213runnin OP
914 posts
 
Thank you, yes, I've experimented with speaker placement extensively, and have stands that have the tweeters at ear level.  I didn't get a chance to change out my cd player last night, but will do so today and also cables.
audioman2015
103 posts
 
Save your money and take your system to a higher level.  I own 2 A21 amps and a while back I went to a passive preamp (basically a stepped attenuator).  I purchased a Goldpoint Level Controls stepped attenuator and for the first time, I felt like I was listening only to the source and not a preamp.  It makes sense because it only adds a resistor or two between the source and the amplifier but the purity (clarity and timing) is something that I was not able to achieve with an active preamp.  
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,306 posts
 
Funny that audioman2015 brings up passive...
Just took delivery of a Schiit Freya preamp. One of the 6sn7 tubes shipped with it was very microphonic. They are sending a replacement set. In the meantime listening to it in passive mode. VERY impressed. Way better than I expected passive would be . Plenty of heft and slam along with another level of resolution over what I’d been hearing with my Consonance Ref. 50 tube preamp. Lyrics have never been more clearly intelligible. And this after less than 24 hrs. of use.

Something from Parasound (P3, P5, P7?) was considered - beautiful looking gear - but I didn’t want to spend for an unneeded internal DAC or phono-pre. I was looking for a balanced design since 2 of my sources and power amp are balanced. Freya is a balanced design and equipped with a stepped attenuator volume control (128 steps!). Price is a bargain too. 15 day return policy (5% restocking charge) so it might be worth checking out.
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