Look for a Canary ca160 and run it in triode try Ulta linear but you will likely prefer triode. At 100 watts triode and 140 ultra linear lots of tube power on tap. Or much more than you want to spend look for a Mark Levinson.
Regards
Move from Parasound A23 to A21/A21+ or Something Else?
Hello, looking for some advice on an amplifier upgrade. Some years ago I was able to get an original Parasound A23 for a really great deal. I like the amp quite a bit and it was a wonderful upgrade from a class d amplifier I was using. I am mostly happy with the amp but I have noticed on loud or complex passages that the music can become strained sounding. It will shift from a nice layered and smooth sound to a more brittle and flat sound. It’s like the soundstage collapses to one dimension right between the speakers and music gains a hardness to it. It’s hard for me to explain exactly as I not that great at descriptors for audio.
Anyway, it doesn’t happen all the time only when listening to dynamic and busy music at higher volumes like 85+ db average at the listening position; about 3 meters from the speakers. The room is around 4500 cubic feet and semi open to other rooms. The speakers are Focal Kanta 2s. When I calculate the actual needs for wattage based upon distance and sensitivity, I "should" be fine with the A23. However, I wonder if a more powerful amp would help with the issue?
I like the signature of the Parasound so I am thinking of a used A21 or maybe even the A21+ if I could snag one at a good price. Is there anything else that should be on my radar? Looking to spend up to $3K max, less is better. Or, I could save up and maybe get a JC5 in 9-12 months if it was really worth it.
Open to thoughts and ideas.