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Anthem STR Power Amp vs Parasound JC5

Hi. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or experiences with the Anthem STR Power amp and the Parasound JC5? Both amps seem like world class amps with similar power ratings (400W @8ohms). For context, I'm interested in them to power some Paradigm Persona towers in a 7.2.4 atmos system that is 70% games/movies and 30% music. I currently have a Parasound Halo A21 and I love it but was curious about the Anthem STR as it's gotten rave reviews (and is the sister company of Paradigm so should be a good match).

The only head to head comparison I know of so far ( HometheaterReview ) mentioned that the Anthem seemed to have deeper power reserves than the JC5 and I've gotten the impression so far that the JC5 is great for music but may not be better than the Anthem for movies. Any thoughts on that?
tistru
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,817 posts
 

We are a persona dealer

 

We also sell the anthem and parasound 

As well as hegel coda and krell

 

The coda and krell arereally spectacular 

With the personnas

Dave ane Troy

AUDIO INTELLECT NJ

 

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

^^^^No it won't sound warm/dry at all ! How long you had one again?

I had a pair of JC1s and an A21 for several months.  They do indeed sound dry in comparison to other amps.

jdub39
497 posts
 

@auxinput 

What preamp and speakers did you use with the Parasounds?

yyzsantabarbara
4,912 posts
 

@auxinput What other amps do you think are not as dry as the Parasound A21. I recently had a Parasound A21+ and I thought it was rather warm sounding. I liked it and traded it in for a KRELL XD which is also a slightly warm amp from my frame of reference.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

@jdaniel - preamp was Krell S1200.  Speakers were B&W 805 D3.

@yyzsantabarbara  - I had directly compared the Parasound with Emotiva XPR-1, Bryston 7b3 and Classe M300 monoblocks.  Many other amps are not as dry/warm.  I think the Krell XD could be described as warm but more of a smooth/lush type of signature.  The Parasound amps are warm/dry sounding.  Parasoiund has incredibly clean midrange, but the highs are somewhat dry and etched sounding.

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