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Parasound A21

Hi Guys,

This is my first post so please accept my appologise for being not technical/ wrong!

I've a set up consisting of

CD Player Primare CD31
Speakers Paradigm S4
Parasound speaker stands
Subwoofer 2 x Rel T3
Preamp Parasound P3
Power amp Parasound A21
Belkin power purifier
Nordost Red Dawn interconnects XLR and RCA
Nordost Red Dawn biwire speaker cables

I'm pretty happy with my system but i still feel somehow it isn't completed! Hence, I've 2 questions which i'd like your advices/ comments on?

1. To me, the use of XLR on my system doesn't produce as good sound as RCA (interconnect between CD player and Preamp) due to RCA allows me to adjust the Treble and Bass on the Parasound P3. Will this story be completely opposite with say the Parasound JC2 preamp?

2. I'm tempting to obtain a used Parasound A21 to trial biamp or bridge mono setup. I do understand this is not a real biamp as i still have the passive cross overs in my speakers! (my gears are still under warranty). Hence, can you guys please give me some advices on whether i should biamp/ bridge mono? I love to have more of that airness sound come out of the speakers (not sure if i've explained correctly here!)

Thanking you all in advance for your advices
Tim
primare_cd31
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,413 posts
 
I had posted a reply earlier, but this thread got moved from reviews to Amps/Preamps.
Why do you feel your system is not complete? Is it sounding thin or unpleasant? Are you saying that XLR is not allowing you to adjust Bass and Treble? Can you explain that?
While I have the A21, I have not used the XLR. That is because my source does not have XLR. If I get a XLR source, I will go the XLR route - just for "trying" it out.
In the meanwhile why don't you try to bypass the Belkin and connect the A21 directly to wall outlet and see if you can get more airness that you have mentioned. Some surge protectors can have negative affects on amps. I am pretty happy with my A21. Mind you - if the A21 is fairly new, I suggest that you wait for at least 20-50 hours before you make a drastic change to your system.
macrojack
1,303 posts
 
If you can afford to replace the P-3 with a JC-2, you will hear a greater improvement than you will get from bi-amping or using your A-21 in mono with another one. You have plenty of power already.
Also be sure the switches on your components are set properly for balanced or unbalanced, whichever you are using.
The JC-2 does not have tone controls.
jdub39
497 posts
 
Have you changed the stock powercord? if not try the Ps Audio AC- 10 or AC-12. My A21 is fed from a Ps audio Soloist Premier via an AC-10 and is sheer bliss!
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