Move from Parasound A23 to A21/A21+ or Something Else?

Hello @christianb5s4, I can say the amp has broken in nicely and I am liking it more everyday. The grain has smoothed out and the amp sounds much more balanced than out of the box.

How would I describe it with the Kantas...it is detailed without being analytical. It tends to project the sound into the room more and put the listener in the front row where as before the sound seemed to come from behind the speakers and I was sitting many rows back. This projection threw me off initially but I have become more appreciative of it as the amp has added a great sense of depth to the soundstage. One can tell that the dummer is behind the horn player now on a given recording if that makes sense.

A couple of other cool attributes, the amp has brought out a lot more micro details in recordings and I am hearing things I’ve never heard before on familar material. Another thing I like is, it’s all there even at low listening levels. I really don’t need to turn it up to hear more into a recording but if I do, it just gives me more of the same and never falls apart. The character doesn’t change with increased volume. It’s a great sounding amp and very neutral where as the A23 was slightly warmer.

Anyway, I hope this helps and good luck.

That makes sense to me, thank you for the feedback. The forward presentation of the soundstage is good to know as well because with my current amp, the soundstage feels to be at or behind the speakers. I wouldn't mind it to move forward a bit more.

@christianb5s4    IMO Krell is a hit and miss company. The EVO line are first class regarding built and sound quality that includes the matching preamp Evo 222. I have not heard the current Duo line but the build and parts quality are not on the same level. Many Krell fans love the FPB line of power amps but most of them are pushing 20+ years old with multiple owners. The EVO line is in that 10 year old window where a 1 owner mint unit is still possible to locate.

The new Duo lineup from KRELLL seems very well built. I have had the K-300i and now the 175XD and cannot fault them operationally. In fact, the K-300i was the very best implementation of ROON READY that I have tried because it also controls volume.

On a lark I tried my KEF LS50's with the KRELL 175XD and what a great sound. I always felt the LS50 (the original one) scales with better amplification. My Benchmark AHB2 and this KRELL Dou 175xXD (very different sonically) really take the LS50 to great heights. I am going to keep this combo with a KEF KC62 sub in my small office.

@mrteeves I ended up buying and receiving a mint, one year old JC5 today. Initial impressions are that it's an immediate step up in clarity, detail, sound staging, and bass (both quantity and refinement). Everything feels more effortless and flows more smoothly. And that's just out of the box.

I'll let it run in for a bit and get more time on it to see how things go but wanted to share. Makes my Arcam amp sound muddy and unrefined by comparison and I wasn't even unhappy with that amp's performance previously.