Experience with Parasound P5?


I I have been looking at a pre upgrade for my main system of AcurusR11, McIntosh MC250 with upgrades/ATI 1502, Sony Sa5400cdp, Ohm Walsh 2-100S3, Squeezebox. I have never had a more modern pre with these amps and I have heard consistently that the pre is a weakness. I have a chance to get a NIB Parasound P5 for a really good price from a dealer on the Mainland so no chance to test it. Wanted to see if others have heard or bought this unit and their thoughts as to quality, impact or if anyone has used it it's a similar amp.





joekapahulu
I listened to one in my system.  It's pretty good.  It has a lighter, slightly delicate character, but it spotlights the highs.  Creates decent space, and very good width, and it is very musical.

Hope that helps.

It wouldn't be my first choice, but its a lot better than what you have now. You'll hear a significant improvement in sound quality. If you were to take the P5 and compare it to what was current when your Acurus preamp was made, it would be the equivalent of a Krell or Levinson. Possibly better in some respects. 
I have been running the P5 and recently swapped in a McIntosh C39 preamp.  I notice the C39 has some sratchiness on the balance control knob and was convinced the left speaker would drop in volume at times.  I put the P5 back in my setup and am happy.  I will take the cover off the The MAC and try to clean the pot and see if that helps and compare the two.  In the mean time I'm happy with my P5.
Thx for all the input. I really like the sound of the amps I have and really want to see if I can improve this with a good pre. I used a Luminous audio passive for a while. It was good with the Mac but not the ATI. The Mac is really the main amp.As an old unit though it periodically needs maintenance. I would like to maintain two systems  with this as the vintage one. I need to get off the upgrade merry go round so if this doesn't work I may just end up buying a new integrated and getting rid of the separates. That would just start another search and end my vintage pursuit/obsession. That would make my wife happy.




Given your system, thats not a bad idea. Parasound makes a Halo integrated amp that has a built in DAC for $2500. I think it would look and sound better than what you have now.