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Ayre Parasound Pass : where are you?

I’ve been thinking a little bit about three different types of SS amplifier sounds. I’m not really sure what to call them, but I have a definite preference. Here is the spectrum in my mind:

Ayre <--> Parasound <--> Pass 

On the one hand is Ayre and Arcam. Yeah, fight me, but there are big similarities to the sound. I also loved the Pono and what it did for my IEMs, using the Ayre designed output stage. I wish Fiio would license it too.

In the middle is Parasound Halo and ICEpower Class D modules (I’ve owned both) which to me are identical in sound quality. Clearly I’m happy with them for the price!

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Pass. A sound I really don’t like.

But regardless of which you like, what do you think the differences are?

What spectrum do you use to think about solid state amplifiers??
erik_squires
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
Erik, I think there are too many variables to draw any meaningful conclusions relative to the sound quality among these different brands. My anecdotal experience having heard Parasound A23 and an older but comparably powered Ayre amp in the same system was the Parasound didn't even come close to the fullness and organic sound of the Ayre. I also heard the Pass XA100.5 monos in a completely different system and room driving Vandersteen Treo CT speakers and they sounded incredibly transparent, full body and musical. Any input will be completely subjective borderline pointless.
erik_squires OP
16,404 posts
 
kalali - Well, Ayre remain my favorite SS amps, even if pretty much unobtainable for me. :) 

Best,

E
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

I have recently entered direct experience with Parasound amps.  They are very very good.  However, stock, they are definitely a tiny bit on the thin side and somewhat lacking in resolution (to my expectations).  They are VERY refined and smooth, however.  The problem with Parasound is that they fuse the heck out of everything inside. 


The A21 as 5 fuses total:

1 x 15A main fuse

4 x 8A post transformer fuses


JC1s have 7 fuses total:

1 x 12A main fuse

2 x 12A post transformer amp fuse

2 x 1A post transformer driver board fuse

2 x 1A (small) post regulator driver board fuse


Once I upgraded everything to Furutech fuses (my standard), it really resolved the initial "lacking" characteristics.

I have read that the smaller A23 is not even in the same league as A21.  Not sure about this.  Could be the smaller power supply, but it still has at least 5 fuses.

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dbphd
1,631 posts
 
In one setup, I'm using 3 Parasound JC 1 monoblocks to drive KEF Reference 1072/2s and a 204/2C, and 2 A 23s to drive 4 LS50 surrounds.  In another setup, I previously used A 21s to drive a pair of LS50s, but a brief stint with 20-watt Cary CD 572 SE monoblocks led me to an Ayre VX-5 Twenty to capture that sound stage. which it pretty much did without the PITA tubes.  For driving LS50s, I'd rank the Ayre first, followed at a distance by the A 21 and an even greater distance by the A23.  I haven't compared the Ayre and JC 1s in the same setup, but the JC 1s sure are magnificent with the KEF reference speakers -- I suspect it's their ability to deliver the current the reference speakers seem to thrive on.  I have not heard a Pass amp.
mikey8811
259 posts
 
This is the first time I’ve heard Pass Labs amps being described as thin and really that is the furthest from my experience with them. So I guess it all comes down to system particulars.

I like Ayre as well but would say that compared to Pass, they are leaner sounding - at least the non Twenty versions are.

I came close to buying some MX R’s (non Twenty) but ended up with Pass which had a more ballsy and definitely fuller sound. Thin they are definitely not. I've heard the X250.5 and would not describe them as thin either - granted the top end has a bit of grain. The Ayre’s were smooth and rolled off up top in a good way and I would have been happy with them too.
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