Parasound Halo A21 or Rotel RB-1090?

The Rotel RC1090 is a dream amp of mine. It has one of the lowest distortion numbers of any amp available at any price. I think there have been 3 versions of the RC1090 some better then others which one to buy I don't know. if you don't like the way your set sounds with a RC1090 don't blame the amp. It is neutral to the extereme. Many amps add their own colour to the sound, we often like this kind of distortion, makes the music sound warmer or whatever audiofiel term you would like to use. I to like this but I believe this should come from the pre amp or speakers.

The power should be just that. Sure there are better amps out there then the RC1090. I have a RC1070 now and hoping one day I can afford the RC1090.

Sorry for the rant of mine.

Hey Zormi,
So if you had to give up one of these amps, which would you sell and which would you keep, based on absolute sound quality and accuracy, and not sheer power?

I owned the Rotel and the Parasound HCA-3500 at the same time. I liked the Parasound alot more, more dynamic, much better bass. In comparison the Rotel had a veiled sound. Sold the Rotel. i have heard the A21 (thought it was nice)but not in my system, or side by side with the others. If I had to pick one of the three it would be the HCA-3500.

Hey Tom,
What did you find the sonic differences between the Parasound HCA-3500 and the Parasound Halo A21 to be?

This is comparing the sound of the systems probably more than anything, so take it with a grain of salt. I think the A21 is probably a little more refined than the 3500. However it (or system it was in) did not have the presence of the 3500. midbass punch and bass depth, i am guessing goes to the 3500. i would class that area of the 3500 up there with the Krells I am using now. Its very hard to compare these two amps when I did not have them in my system together, like I did the rotel and 3500.
Downside of the 3500 is it is two amps in one box and uses two power cords. It needs power from the wall. Sound is big, detailed, fast, and powerful. midrange is detailed and clean. Built like tanks. I have also owned the JC-1s and didnt really find them much of an upgrade over the 3500. They did get rid of some grain from the upper most midrange and treble, but didnt have the weight behind the music that the 3500 did. I used the 2000 preamp with the Rotel, 3500, and off and on with the JC-1s.