Moving on from Parasound A21 (maybe?)

Hello professor,
This is just my 2 cents.  I know you are looking for different amp recommendations, but I have had some experience with Signal Cable ICs, just not the same ones you are currently using.  TBH, they didn't stay with me long at all as they were not involving with very little detail.  You may or may not want to look into some other ICs. 

Some of the best I have used were from Kubala Sosna and Purist Audio, but their "lower priced" models.  For KS, the Fascinations; for Purist, the Aqueous Anniversary (don't know if this is made anymore).  As always, YMMV, IMHO...

Bill

Hello professorsvsu,
I own a Parasound Halo A-21 amplifier and I was going through an upgrade consideration, although for different reason, few months back. You can see this post going to my profile where you would get details about a list of Class A amplifiers that I shortlisted for the upgrade. I am using this amplifier for about 4 years and I didn’t experience any such issue (not revealing details consistently) with it.

However I have noticed that if you remove the top hood of this amplifier it sounds much open, airy, more detailed and it runs a lot cooler too. I have cut a ply to the size of its hood and use that as a flexi-top-cover when I don’t listen to music. This is something you can try, doesn’t cost money, and see if you like the sound.

I had replaced the 5 stock fuses that came with the amplifier and it also opened up the sound significantly. However the fuse upgrade was tricky because most of the details provided by aftermarket fuses came at the cost of making the sound bright. I had to change these fuses a couple of times to get a sound that was something I could live with. So I wouldn’t recommend this trick to anybody who like me doesn’t enjoy experimenting with audio tweaks.
Hope this helps...

Indranil

I may get tarred and feathered here but I’m going to suggest trying a newer amp tech.

I’m breaking in my ps audio stellars and they’re amazing...I’ve had luxman, marantz, NAD and Adcom amps running my dynaudios in the past and I’ll say honestly that these ps audio mono amps are light years ahead - in every aspect- of anything I’ve had pushing my speakers.

Good luck!

Let me share my experience with Focal 1028BEs and amp search. I auditioned these speakers with may be a dozen of different amps and I cross out A21 almost immediately. The sound was dull to my ears. Not good highs. No spark. Not much details. I'm not sure that you can fix the problem removing only A21 from your system. Maybe preamp have to go to. May be. Macs looks like the easiest next step. After few experiments I stay with Mac C22 tube preamp and Burmester solid state amp. I like the sound very much, but, as you know, there is always smth better. I wish I could try new (cubed) Bryston in my system. Or Mark Levinson! But you know, it's not an urgency I'm just lazily interested.
I also use OPPO 105 player, Linn LP12 with Goldring MM cartridge. Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval SC & Kimber Silver Streak IC.
Hope it was helpful

I've heard the Focal 1038BE paired with the McIntosh MC452 extensively and I felt the sound quality was one of the best I've heard. The preamp was an older McIntosh tube version and I didn't pay much attention to the model. Something to consider. They do occasionally come up in the used market.