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
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.

winoguy17
1,231 posts
 

FWIW, my personal experience is that speakers definitely sound better with break in, usually a good 100 hours. Just play them at a decent volume for a few weeks and re-asses. Good luck.

jetter
3,119 posts
 

If you purchased the amp new, why didn't Parasound send you a new JC5 in a sealed box?

I think they are a great company, just don't understand the above.

dweller's avatar
dweller
3,868 posts
 

Regarding speaker polarity, If possible, open the binding post box and check the connections inside. I discovered one of my Klipsch Forte 4s was wired incorrectly INSIDE the speaker. Good luck.

grislybutter
3,627 posts
 

I would send the Wharfedales back while under trial period. They will not get better, it's like the combination of lack of synergy and your ears.

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