Parasound A21 vs Parasound HCA-3500?

The A21 is very smooth, with no apparent grain as far as I can tell. "Etched" is not a word I would use to describe it at all. The HCA-3500 from what I understand improoves quite a bit when modded if done correctly. I'd go with the HCA-3500 if you need/want buttloads of power, and the A21 if you want good power with more refinement. I have heard them both. I own the A21.

Lanny, I am owner of A21 about three years - paired with Primare PRE30 preamp emerged very nice pair. Assuming you're searching for an amp as much as closer soundwise to the JC-1 (you used to own them, right?), I would vote for A21 - I guess the A21 possesses the same family sound like the JC-1, with some compromises in control and power of course...

It's absolutely accurate that JC-1 is being originated from the HCA-3500, but J. Curl (or B. Crump, cannot recall exactly) once said something like "stock HCA-3500 emerged almost unlistenable, due to some cap choice issue, resulting with very grainy highs.."

Good luck, anyway..!!

What concerns me about the HCA-3500 is the fact that they have sort of a forceful, forward, and slightly edgy or etched quality to the highs.
I was wondering if the A21 is like this as well, or does it have a somewhat more relaxed sound?
Thanks.

Hello,
I have owned both of these amps. I still have 2 HCA-3500's in my possesion and probably will never sell them. I liked the 3500 more due to the power difference, the dual mono construction, and the fact that this is the amp the JC1's were designed from. I think sonically they are both pretty close, but the 3500 does have a bit more low-end control. Good Luck, Matt.

Hello,
I am currently using a basic system:
Parasound P/LD-2000 preamp, Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.2 loudspeakers, and a modded Sony XA777ES CD player.
Thanks.

I just sold my parasound 3500 and replaced it with clayton audio m70 class a monoblocks. I personally didn't care for the sound. I haven't had a a21 but I assume it's got the same parasound house sound....good bass, transparency but somewhat etched and grainy sounding. I was and I am currently driving thiel 3.6 with a levinson No. 39 cd processor thorough a meridian 502 pre amp with cardas neutral reference cables(revealing system). So the flaws of the parasound where multiplied even more so. What is the rest of your system makeup?