Summary: The parasound Halo A21 is a heavy amplifier. Great quality looks and build, handles on the back and heat fins on the side, the blue lights look good at night. 250 watts per channel, it has plenty of power to run inefficient speakers, such as my JSE infininite slope 1.8 with 4 drivers. Using Cardas quadlink speaker and interconnect, this needs a good break in period and open cabinet where the heat can escape. After many hours of playback, the soundstage opened up with instruments heard in great detail. With 1.2 kVA encapsulated toroid power transformer with independent secondary windings for each channel , and 100,000 µF power supply filter capacitance , this amp delivers superb bass, this amp will never break a sweat! This one amp will outperform my 2 B&K ST202 put together in a bi-amped setup.
Strengths: Great soundstage, ability to drive inefficient speakers
Weaknesses: very heavy at 60 pounds, puts out a lot of heat
Similar Products Used: B&K ST-202
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Rating Reviewed by: Lee V(Unregistered User)
(AudioPhile)
Review Date June 9, 2007
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Review 2 of 9
Price Paid:
$1600.00
from longplayer stereo Go
Summary: The Parasound A21 is an extremely heavy amp weighing in at 60 pounds. It is rated for 250 watts per channel, 8 ohms. It is capable of running in mono mode, with balanced or unbalanced connections, and gain adjustments on the back. Great build quality, large handles on the rear (may be needed when moving this) and is deep at 22 inches, requiring a large and strong shelf.
Upon using the Parasound Halo A21 during the break-in period, I noticed the soundstage grow wide and deeper. This amp needs a good amount of time to break in, and produces a good amount of heat, since it runs class A for the first 10-15 watts or so. 1.2 kVA encapsulated toroid power transformer with independent secondary windings for each channel, 100,000 µF power supply filter capacitance allows for this amp to deliver sudden bass impact when needed without any strain whatsoever. This workhorse will compete with the best amps such as Pass or others costing thousands more.
Strengths: Strong amp will drive nearly any speaker, especially inefficient ones
Weaknesses: Very heavy, puts off alot of heat, so dont use this in an enclosed cabinet
Similar Products Used: 2 B&K ST 202 together, and one Halo A21 beats these amps out combined!
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Summary: I had upgraded my speakers (PBN Audio Montana SPX) after listening to them in the shop powered by a set of Halo JC1 mono blocks. I got them home and hooked them up to my McIntosh 6 ch home theater amp ( 85/watts/ch ) which is not a bad amp but they were missnig something. I can not afford nor have the room for the mono blocks so my salesman suggested I try using the Halo A21. I brought the amp home hooked it up and there was the sound that I so loved in the showroom. I finally had a set of speakers that could produce everything on a recording and an amp that allowed my speakers to perform there best. The A21 had absolute control, no matter what volume I play the system at I never hear it become harsh or strained. I feel I am getting about 95% of the performance of the JC1 for a lot less cash. I don't think I have ever got this much bang for my audio buck before. On top of the A21's great performance I think it is a beautiful piece of equipment just sitting there in the rack with it's blue glow. This amps beauty is more then skin deep.
Strengths: tight deep bass, sweet highs
Weaknesses: It is heavy but it's worth the strain to move it into your rack
Similar Products Used: McIntosh MC126
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Rating Reviewed by: Joseph Gallo(Unregistered User)
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date December 12, 2006
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 1 to 3 months
Review 4 of 9
Price Paid:
$1700.00
from Sound City NY
Summary: This is one serious amp.I cant believe Parasound can market this product for 2 large.I shopped at high end shops in the north Jersey area and they showed me amps at two times the price that could not shine the shoes of this beast.I recieved the amp via ups and they left it on my stoop while I was at work.No need to worry cause no ordinary thief was gonna be able to carry this piece of audio excellence away.Boxed up the weight was 77 lbs. I almost died draging it down the stairs to my listening room. The a-21 comes in a double box and at that weight it was a good thing.Putting it on the bottom of my equipment rack was a monumental chore,first this amp is 19' deep I had to slide the rack out 6" just to fit it in and the weght 60 lbs unboxed made me break out in a sweat.Once hooked up and turned on all was well worth it . This amp sounded broke in right out fo the box.It controlled my Infinity Renaissance 90"s with relative ease .The soundstage was huge,the bass deep tight and fast.the 90"s are not an easy speaker to drive and if you get the right amp the sound is exhillirating.I ve finally got the right amp,and i didnt have to take a second mortgage on my house. O.K. so the amp is made in Taiwan if you can get by that you have a great looking amp Designed by John Curl and put to market by a reputable american company with a 10year warranty what more can I say if you buy a mega buck amp its your lose I think Ill go buy some music with my savings.
Strengths: Hi end performance ,looks and build at a mid fi price. huge soundstage and deep bass will drive any loudspeaker.
Weaknesses: none as of now
Similar Products Used: parasound p3 pre amp
Denon dvd 2800
Infinity Renassaince 90
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Rating Reviewed by: Unknown User
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date October 22, 2006
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 4.88 of 5,
8.00 votes
Review 5 of 9
Price Paid:
$0.00
from AudioAdvisor
Summary: Good Lord is this a great, great amplifier. The sonic prowess and downright agility this amp can muster with a dregree effortlessness is worthy of accolades.
You have a world class designer coupled to a company that's large enough to take advantage of economies of scale and deliver those savings to the consumer.
Thank You John Curl, Thank You Parasound! Finally, I've got the sound I've been after but could never justify the cost.
The A21 delivers the details alright, but with the sureness and a smoothless that I find captivating. Clean but not antiseptic.The music splashes but doesn't leave you wet. How's that?
Using this amp with killer Tyler Acoustic Linbook Monitors, PS audio solid copper cables, Audioquest King Cobra interconnects.
Strengths: NUMERO UNO: Competes with the best solid state amps out there at real people prices.
Outstanding 10 warranty. Dealt with Parasound service dept. on my PLD 1100 and they were amazing. Best electronics service I've ever encoutered.
Very sexy cosmetics.
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