2. amps-preamps
  3. 1368314254

Preamp for Parasound A21?

Just got a pair of Thiel CS2.4 and want to pair them with Parasound A21. However, I don't really like any of Parasound's preamps. The JC2 is very nice but overpriced (to my pocket anyway). The other Parasound pre's don't really interest me. I don't really hold out much hope for the forthcoming P5 either.

Anyway, can you suggest a pre around the $2000 mark that will mate well with the A21 and the Thiels? Also wondering if a tube pre might be a good idea in this context? Would much appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks in advance.
agm

Showing 4 responses by audiozen

audiozen
831 posts
 
The Wyred4Sound STP-SE. State of the art Preamp for $2K. A reviewer of the STP-SE two years ago put it up against the Esoteric C-03 Preamp which cost $10K. In the same sound room, the STP-SE trounced the Esoteric. It has tremendous detail, large soundstage deep and wide, and will bring out the very best of the A21. Very smooth and grain free. Killer Pre-amp for the price.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Agm..don't be deceived by the bland utility look of the Wyred4Sound STP-SE. It has 88,000 microfarads of filter capacity. It has 164,560 microfarads of current storage capacity which is one of the highest in the industry of
any Pre-amp at $20K or below. Uses all Dale resistor's. If you like tube's, you will like the Wyred4Sound. Quote from Srajan Ebaen from the 2009 SixMooons review.." Tube Aficionados could be quite shocked to discover that the STP aces the dynamic and timbre expander action one traditionally expects from superior valve units. Compared to most of those I've had through, the STP is quieter and hence more resolved "...For $2K your getting a Pre-amp that has all the performance of Pre-amp's costing up to $15K.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Agm..you may want to consider the new Parasound Halo P-5 Pre-amplifier that has been pushed back to a late June release. The Preamp has everything. Built in phono stage, bass management, digital inputs with a built in DAC. Price is set at $ 1400.00
audiozen
831 posts
 
No Way...recent pic's I have seen of the new P-5 on Google images shows a larger unit than the P-7. It has more height. It has control knobs on the front instead of push buttons. Previously owning three Parasound Preamps including the previous flagship, the PLD-2000, I would never own a Parasound preamp again. John Curl has always designed better amplifiers than Preamps. The first time I saw the interior of the Wyred4Sound STP-SE was like looking under the hood of a Bentley. I asked myself how the
hell can this Preamp cost $2K with the remarkable boardwork
and very high quality parts and the largest power supply of any Preamp I have ever seen in twenty years costing $10K
or below? The designer and owner of Wyred4Sound, EJ Sarmento has a degree in micro electronics and is a circuit engineer. He really knows his stuff.
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