2. amps-preamps
  3. 152786-139134

Upgrading System...Help/opinions on Parasound and others?

Hi! I'm new to Audiogon...have been into hi-fi for about 10 years now.
I'm going to be slowly upgrading my system over the next year or two.  For a turntable, I am thinking Music Hall mmf-7.3, with Schiit Mani phono stage.  For speakers, I'm most likely going with Joseph Audio (not sure which ones yet).  I already have a Marantz CD-6006 which I adore.  ANYWAY...my question is more about a pre-amp/power amp.  My current system is listed at the bottom if you're interested.

My short list is:Parasound NewClassic 200 Pre (would use with my current AMC 2100 amp)
Prima Luna EVO 100 Integrated Amp (if going tube)Vincent SV-237MK (also if going tube and I feel like spending a little more)
NAD C165BEE

Any opinions on these pairings are welcome, as in, would the pre and power amp do the turntable and speakers justice? What I'm really looking for is a nice pre/power amp that will pair well with the 7.3 turntable, drive good speakers, has tone control and preferably a bypass-able phono stage so that I can use the Mani.
Thank you kindly! :)

Current System:Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC with 2M Blue and acrylic platterMarantz CD6006 CD player
Marantz 2240 (using as pre-amp)AMC 2100 power ampFocal Aria 906 speakers
branden_8091
bigjohn9095's avatar
bigjohn9095
47 posts
 
I love my Parasound Halo A21 Amp and P5 Pre-Amp. Absolutely love it. I’ve heard great things about the HINT 6 to. Best of luck to you in your search!
treynolds155
184 posts
 
Hi Branden, if you go the Parasound route why not consider the Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated with the Pascal class D amps? It's only a couple hundred more. It's getting some very favorable reviews. You could always use it's pre outs to another amp if the Pascals aren't to your liking and not lose too much.  

Parasound makes great stuff that is very reasonably priced. I did a test earlier this year to pit their Zpre3 against my Schiit Saga pre with a very nice NOS tube. My Schiit Gumby dac has two sets of outputs that I fed to each pre. The Saga was then fed to the HT bypass inputs on the Zpre3. Everything was level matched for volume. This fed a PrimaLuna Prologue 5 amp to some Omega speakers, source was an Aurender streamer. All power cables and interconnects were identical. Bottom line when switching back and forth I couldn't hear ANY difference. So while the Saga certainly isn't the end all of preamps, it is very transparent. You should expect this with any Parasound pre. 

Good luck with your choices and enjoy the journey.
Tim

kcroyals
53 posts
 
I'm currently using the Parasound P6 to the A21 out to Salk SC Songtowers. It's the best sound I've had to date. Note that the P6 has a ton of features including a home theater bypass. I also love the high pass and low pass filter control for subwoofers.
branden_8091 OP
60 posts
 
treynolds155  Interesting! The only reason I wasn't really considering the NewClassic integrated mostly because of its small size, I figured it would have thermal problems.  Then again, didn't look at any reviews! I'll consider it now though.
treynolds155
184 posts
 
Class D is the coolest running of the bunch so I wouldn't worry about that at all. I have two of their Zamp3 amps that are class AB, same basic form factor only half width and they run barely warm even when pushing them a bit. I've read a lot of good and bad things about class D over the years, what got me really interested was them using Pascal, same brand that Mytek puts in their amps...no clue if it's the same board but sure as heck makes me go...hmmmmm. 
More to discover