Parasound Halo Owners

[Denon Frank]

I'm thinking about upgrading from a Parasound 5250 amp to the Halo A31 (since it comes in black). Have any of you swaped out the New Classic for the Halo line and are driving Polk speakers? Thanks!

[Obsession18]

I'm currently running a Parasound 2250 New Classic and was wondering the same thing about moving to a Halo. Several months ago someone here told me it provided and little bit better dynamics and detail, but it was by no means a night and day difference.

[Jason_k]

I just bought the A31 (Black) going to pick it up tonight! It will replace my Rotel RB-991 for the Front LR and will also be use for the center. The rotel will have a new home at the rears. They Halo will be driving a set of LSI-15's and in a few weeks a set of Dynaudio's. Sorry can't compare it to the older series.

[Emlyn]

Frank, I don't think you'd notice much of an improvement in power output for home theater use. If you're really pushing things, the Halo amp will deliver peaks of current up to 60 amps, while the 5250 is less at around 45 amps. You should notice improvements in refinement for music.

I don't have any first hand experience with the New Classic line, which is different than the older HCA series that I do have experience with.

[Denon Frank]

Thanks for the replies. I'm very happy with the 5250 for HT use. I'm looking to improve my 2 channel listening without investing in a completely seperate system. What really sticks out to me is the Halo's Damping Factor. It's over 1100 compared to 150 for the 5250. From what I read, this should help clean up the low end by controlling the woofer better. The lsim 703's hit the low notes pretty hard, especially when being pushed. Thinking that might be the biggest improvement.

[billbillw]

Frank,
Don't give much credit to the damping factor. In the real world, it doesn't mean much. Personally, I'd save your money and stick with the amp you have. If you ever move to a dedicated 2-ch with a large set of floor standers, maybe think about a Halo A21. I don't think you mains really need the extra power that the Halo may give. Do you use the SVS for 2-ch or just the bookshelves?

[PrazVT]

When I had RTi A7s, I drove them with a Parasound NC2250, then an HCA-2200 II, which I then swapped for a Halo A21. I'd say, the the improvement from NC -> Halo was more refinement (blacker background, slightly warmer, clarity, maybe a little better bass response). You get a bit more current capacity for sure which helps.

But it wasn't night and day. From my experience, I'm inclined to agree with billbillw. The 5250 is quite good already!

I think getting a nice DAC for the 2100 Pre for 2 ch would be more useful. I have the 2100 Pre + a DAC for 2 ch and I use the AVR as a pre/pro for video as well.

[Denon Frank]

Frank,
Don't give much credit to the damping factor. In the real world, it doesn't mean much. Personally, I'd save your money and stick with the amp you have. If you ever move to a dedicated 2-ch with a large set of floor standers, maybe think about a Halo A21. I don't think you mains really need the extra power that the Halo may give. Do you use the SVS for 2-ch or just the bookshelves?

Thats good to know about the damping factor. The SVS is only used for HT.

When I had RTi A7s, I drove them with a Parasound NC2250, then an HCA-2200 II, which I then swapped for a Halo A21. I'd say, the the improvement from NC -> Halo was more refinement (blacker background, slightly warmer, clarity, maybe a little better bass response). You get a bit more current capacity for sure which helps.

But it wasn't night and day. From my experience, I'm inclined to agree with billbillw. The 5250 is quite good already!

I think getting a nice DAC for the 2100 Pre for 2 ch would be more useful. I have the 2100 Pre + a DAC for 2 ch and I use the AVR as a pre/pro for video as well.

I'm totally clueless about DAC's. I'll have to read up on the benefits of that.

[xftman]

What is the price range for a 5250v1? Saw one for $800 mint condition on CL.

[SugarmillMan]

I recently upgraded to a Parasound Halo A31 (with black faceplate) to drive my front three speakers. I instantly noticed a difference in music. Things sounded much clearer with crisp highs and tight deep bass response. It is clearly a high quality amplifier and one that should last me for years. I would make the same choice again, only sooner!

The next time that I read on the web boards that "all amps sound basically the same" I will just smile to myself.

[Denon Frank]

I recently upgraded to a Parasound Halo A31 (with black faceplate) to drive my front three speakers. I instantly noticed a difference in music. Things sounded much clearer with crisp highs and tight deep bass response. It is clearly a high quality amplifier and one that should last me for years. I would make the same choice again, only sooner!

The next time that I read on the web boards that "all amps sound basically the same" I will just smile to myself.

I'm curious.......what did you upgrade from?

[xftman]

I'm curious.......what did you upgrade from?

+1 .

[SugarmillMan]

I was running a pair of Rotel RB1572s, each was 250 watts x 2 channels. The Rotels were good amps but the Parasound Halo is certainly an upgrade, if not more (to my ears).

[xftman]

I was running a pair of Rotel RB1572s, each was 250 watts x 2 channels. The Rotels were good amps but the Parasound Halo is certainly an upgrade, if not more (to my ears).

Thanks, what about Parasound 5250v1 Vs. Emo XPA-5?

[ericks0ns]

Frank,
I recently went through the same analysis with a slightly different twist. I have the Parasound 2250 and was considering a 5.1 audio option with no video. While I have yet to fully commit (and purchase the Parasound P7 Pre), I got a great deal on a A31 and purchased one. Given its 3 channel ability and great stats it keeps all my options open. I swapped it out for my 2250 in a 2 channel capacity to audition its performance against the 2250. My first impressions with my earlier gen SDA-SRS are not dramatic, but there is a subtle difference to me. At lower volumes there appears to be more audible "information" , a fuller representation of the music, kind of as if I was using a speaker with a higher efficiency relative to/ db sensitivity. At higher volumes there seems to be greater dynamic headroom without clipping. Not a night and day difference, but improved in my opinion. Best of luck with whatever way you decide to go.

[Denon Frank]

Frank,
I recently went through the same analysis with a slightly different twist. I have the Parasound 2250 and was considering a 5.1 audio option with no video. While I have yet to fully commit (and purchase the Parasound P7 Pre), I got a great deal on a A31 and purchased one. Given its 3 channel ability and great stats it keeps all my options open. I swapped it out for my 2250 in a 2 channel capacity to audition its performance against the 2250. My first impressions with my earlier gen SDA-SRS are not dramatic, but there is a subtle difference to me. At lower volumes there appears to be more audible "information" , a fuller representation of the music, kind of as if I was using a speaker with a higher efficiency relative to/ db sensitivity. At higher volumes there seems to be greater dynamic headroom without clipping. Not a night and day difference, but improved in my opinion. Best of luck with whatever way you decide to go.

Thanks for the reply. Your comments seem to mirror most others (including Parasounds President). I might be on the "fence" with this decision for awhile.

[SugarmillMan]

Thanks, what about Parasound 5250v1 Vs. Emo XPA-5?

I would probably choose the Parasound 5250 but I know that there are many here who love the Emotivas because of the great price/value. However, I have no first hand knowledge of either one of those amps. Anyone?

[jumpindick]

I have Halo A21 for RTi A9s. No problem at all. The sound quality coming out of those speakers is great. I tried hooking them up with AVR directly without the amp, but it always felt better with the amp in the circuit. And if you are going for Halo A31, way to go man.. Let us know how you like it