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Moving on from Parasound A21 (maybe?)

I'm currently using an A21 amp to power my Focal 1028 BE speakers and I don't quite feel the love anymore with my music. My system is modest, all solid state, and I'd like to keep it that way. I've been exploring stereo amps ($6K is the limit), but don't know how much of an improvement I can make. A used Pass Labs X250.8 would be ideal if it wouldn't double as a space heater (operating temp is way too high), so I'm left dabbling with the unknown. The new Bryston 4B cubed has caught my eye, but it's too new to find any critical owner reviews. I'd greatly appreciate any ideas on a possible direction to take, if any, that would musically be a step up from my A21. Beyond my Focals, my system consists of: Simaudio Moon Neo 310LP phono preamp, Avid Diva II SP TT with SME 309 tonearm, AT-ART 9 MC cartridge, Bryston BCD-3 CD player, Parasound JC 2 BP preamp, and all of my ICs are Silver Resolution from Signal Cable (XLR wherever possible).
professorsvsu
mtrot
804 posts
 
@ professorsvsu

I doubt the Pass 250.8 will run any hotter than my Krell FPB 400cx, and it hasn't really been a problem, and I live in East TX!  Yes, the summers are hot as blue blazes, but the room is fairly big and the heat dissipates.  I kind of like it in the winter, as it gives me an extra degree or so in the room. 

If you can swing the Pass 250.8, I'd definitely try it, given the reviews on that baby.  I'd like to compare a 250.8 or 350.8 to my Krell.  Another amp that I'd like to try, and is apparently stellar, is Hegel.
gareneau
110 posts
 
The new Bryston 4B cubed has caught my eye, but it's too new to find any critical owner reviews. 

http://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/analog-reviews/amplifier-reviews/bryston-3b-4b-and-14b-cubed-...

professorsvsu OP
78 posts
 
mtrot,
I'm sure Texas is a really "cool" place (pun intended), but I don't envy you in the summer. Northern Michigan gets warm enough.
Anyways, with respect to the X250.8, Pass claims 53 C operating temp. That's 127 F degrees! I have adequate room size for decent sound reproduction, but lack enough size and ventilation for that much heat. Even my Parasound A21 noticeably pumps up the temp, but can live with that. The only reason I keep going back to considering the X250.8 is because it's arguably one of the finest SS two channel amps on the planet (maybe the best?). The price used is also at the max of what I can afford.
mtrot
804 posts
 
professor,

Lol, I've measured the top of my Krell at over 130 degress! 

BTW, back in the day as a kid, my uncle had a cabin in Indian River, MI.  It was just gorgeous there in the summer.  We got to visit there a couple times and fish on Burt Lake and Mullet Lake in his boat.  Man, that was nice!
professorsvsu OP
78 posts
 
mtrot,
I live a little farther north and west of Indian River. I live on a heavily wooded parcel and see absolutely no one unless I want to. Five times in the last year, I've had to run off bears. I guess you could call the way I live, "rural". I once lived in the Upper Peninsula and will probably move back. That is real country.
I really got off my amp topic, I'll stop. It's just nice to hear from somebody who appreciates something other than city life.
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