2. amps-preamps
  3. 181522-78474

Not sure what to think or do...

A few months ago, a 4 month old Parasound JC5 exploded and took out a speaker.  They were pair of JBL towers and they sounded fantastic with the JC5.  Parasound warranty replaced the amp with a new open box after determining I was not at fault.  Speakers were long out of warranty so I ended up taking the loss and purchasing new speakers.  I got a new set of Wharfdale Elysian 2.  They look great but everything sounds terrible with the new speakers and the new JC5.  Both the new amp and speakers have about 30 hours on them.  I dont think it is the speakers because I tried with a 8 year old A23 Parasound amp and they seems to sound a little better.  So either things havent broken/burned in yet or I just got some bad equipment.  I hear people tell me it takes 100s of hours, etc, but Im worried and dont expect that big of a change over time.  This has been a bad experience for me and I feel like giving up on the audio hobby.  $6k on speakers, $6k on an amp yet the acoustic panels on my Sony tv also sound just as good so Im confused.  

audioman2015
rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 

Sounds like lack of synergy. 

dill
2,513 posts
 

Do you know why the Parasound JC5 exploded? I am wondering if there is a problem with your A/C power in your house. Also, I have done this myself, double check your speaker connections and make sure they are in phase.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

The system is either wrong, as in something is out of phase, or just hosed.

If it does it sound pretty darn good, then time will not fix it.

 

If you think it is your home, then drag it all to another person’s house or garage and then try it there.

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Speakers don't need hundreds of hours to reach peak performance. Do you have another pair of speakers on hand to check the Parasound amp? If there is nothing wrong it should reach optimum temperature in several hours. After that leave it on 24/7. That's what I do with my preamp/amp/DAC. I listen every day so I want the electronics running warm. 

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

Speakers don't need hundreds of hours to reach peak performance. Do you have another pair of speakers on hand to check the Parasound amp? If there is nothing wrong it should reach optimum temperature in several hours. After that leave it on 24/7. That's what I do with my preamp/amp/DAC. I listen every day so I want the electronics running warm. 

@jasonbourne52 
Does it change much from the first time you turned it on, until a while later?

Most of my experience has shown it to be subtle, and sometimes to point of not being able to notice a difference.

More to discover