Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Parasound Halo A 21+ power amplifier

Kalman Rubinson  |  Feb 26, 2020

The components I needed to choose for my first system were never in doubt: a turntable or record changer, an integrated amplifier, and a speaker. One of each, please, in those mono days.

Today, even in stereo, that trinity would be regarded as rather traditional—or, if you prefer, purist. Digital has exploded the range of source options and loudspeaker options. Yet amplifiers have not changed much in how and what they do. They take an analog voltage signal from the source, increase it, and back it up with enough current so that the output can power a relatively insensitive device, the loudspeaker. Amps still do the heavy lifting, and that includes today's popular class-A, class-AB, and class-D power amplifiers, none of which involve any digital operations. These being mature technologies, particularly for traditional-technologies amps, new power amplifiers inevitably compete with their predecessors as well as with their contemporaries. This is evident with the release of the new Parasound A 21+ stereo power amp ($3150), the successor to the A 21, which was originally launched in 2003.

Parasound was founded in 1981 by Richard Schram, and the company has been offering audio products under their own name as well as for OEM sales since then. Parasound has established close and long-term relationships, some spanning more than three decades, with contract manufacturers in Taiwan, which are responsible for the manufacturing. In 1988, Schram enlisted the services of circuit designer John Curl, and he brought along designers Carl Thompson and the late Bob Crump, forming a team whose work resulted in the development of Parasound's flagship Halo line. Halo products have consistently been praised by Stereophile and, over the years, their circuits and technologies have migrated into other Parasound products.

So: After the Halo A 21's 15 years in the marketplace, what has Parasound done to transform it into the A 21+? They offer a list:

• The power has been increased from 250W to 300W into 8 ohms, with comparable changes into smaller impedances.

• Power supply filter capacitance has gone from 88,000ÊF to 108,000ÊF.

• Signal/Noise is up from 112dB to 115dB.

• Total harmonic distortion at full power has been halved, from 0.2% to 0.1%; at normal listening levels it's claimed to be below 0.03%.

• Channel separation at 20kHz has been increased from 63dB to 70dB.

• The capacity of the transformer has been increased, from 1.2kVA to 1.3kVA.

• Partly as a consequence of the above, the amp got heavier: 71lb, compared to 60lb.

• Cosmetics were updated with aluminum endcaps and gold highlights.

• The same heavy-duty speaker terminals used in the JC 5 stereo power amp were added.

• Internal audio connections were upgraded to gold on gold.

• The automatic turn-on circuit was improved.

The performance-related improvements—power output, S/N ratio, THD, and channel separation—are not huge, but they are appreciated; the increase in weight not so much. The cosmetic changes are subtle but positive, as is the improved auto turn-on circuit. What I really like are the brawny speaker terminals that you can tighten firmly without tools and, although not listed above, the modified rear-panel gain controls: On the A 21, the only calibration mark on each dual-mono gain control knob says "THX Reference." On the A 21+, there are clock-face calibration marks between "Min" (no sound) and "Max" (29dB for single-ended input, 35dB for balanced input). According to Parasound, the 3 o'clock setting means 20dB/26dB and the 12 o'clock setting means 10dB/16dB for single-ended/ balanced inputs, respectively. This is helpful for those of us who employ "gain staging" to minimize overall system output noise and who wish to match the settings on the two channels.

220para.bac

The front panel of the Halo A 21+ has a modern, clean appearance. There's a single On/Off button to the lower left, a high-temperature indicator to the lower right, and two small, blue LEDs between them: the indicator lights for the left and right channels. The rear panel, flanked by sturdy rack handles, has a set of four of the easiest-to-use and most secure multiway speaker binding posts I've ever encountered. To the left of the posts are the controls and connections for the various turn-on options; to the right are the main power switch and the IEC power receptacle. Across the top are two sets of connectors and controls, one per channel, with a bridged mono switch between them. Each set includes a balanced (XLR) input, an unbalanced (RCA) input, a switch to toggle between them, an unbalanced (RCA) loop-through output, and a gain control.

Since I already have in house the new amp's three-channel sibling, the Parasound A 31, I was comfortable installing the A 21+ in my system using the same XLR input cables and speaker cables, the latter with locking banana pins. The butterfly grips on the speaker terminals enticed me to try them, too, and, with them, hand tightening was easy and impressively secure. I connected the AC cable and clicked on the rear panel power switch; after a few seconds, a blue halo (!) glowed around the front panel On-Off button, indicating that the A 21+ was on standby. A push of said button was followed by the illumination of the dual-channel channel LEDs, and there was music.

Listening to the A 21+
I split my listening between the 35dB gain setting, using the output of the exaSound e38 multichannel DAC to drive the Parasound amp, and the 26dB gain setting, with the Audio Research MP1 multichannel preamplifier intervening. With the e38 directly connected to the A 21+, there was no audible noise from the system unless my ear was practically touching the tweeter of one of the Revel Ultima Studio2 loudspeakers. With the insertion of the somewhat noisier MP1 and the attendant lower gain setting on the A 21+, I could hear the hiss as far away as 4"! I listen from about 10' away, so I can live with that. In all situations, the A 21+ itself was dead silent with the sources turned off.

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COMPANY INFO
Parasound Products, Inc.
2250 McKinnon Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 397-7100
parasound.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on February 26, 2020 - 12:55pm

and thank you for the comparisons of the Halo A21+ with the Benchmark AHB2, as I am in the market for a power amp directly in this price segment. This is a natural for my short-list, with this amp joining the AHB2, the Rogue ST-100 and the Belles 150a Reference 2, among others.

The Benchmark HPA4 preamp, the sister to the LA4, is fantastic on every level and I am so grateful for the review which led to my satisfied purchase!

Oh, one other thing- Regarding the Audio Research MP-1: The IC's that are in the unit can be replaced with more modern ones for much less hiss and self-noise. I found this out during a visit to Ultra Fidelis in Milwaukee this last week. They have performed the modification in the past for customers as well. Food for thought?

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on February 26, 2020 - 1:03pm

Food for thought, indeed. Thanks.

rmkessler's picture
Submitted by rmkessler on February 26, 2020 - 2:32pm

I read with interest your previous review of the AHB2 amp. While overall you appeared to be impressed with the AHB2, you reported that it did not mate well with certain speakers. I see that you have been using two AHB2 amps in mono. Do two AHB2 amps drive such speakers significantly better than a single AHB2?

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on February 26, 2020 - 3:29pm

The only problem that I had was with an AHB2 with the Monitor Audio Silver 8s in my CT system and I have not tried them with the monoblocs. The Benchmarks live in the city where, so far, they have not disappointed.

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on February 26, 2020 - 4:46pm

Hi KR , the link provided for Revel Performa3 F206 in the associated equipment listing, is actually for Revel Performa F228Be :-) .......

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on February 26, 2020 - 5:06pm

Nope. I no longer have the Revel Performa F228Be but I bought a pair of the Revel Performa3 F206 speakers for surround channels, primarily.

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on February 26, 2020 - 6:11pm

When I click on the link, that connects me to your review of F228Be ...... You can try clicking on the link :-) ......

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on February 26, 2020 - 6:28pm

Aha! You are correct. I cannot fix that but I will notify someone who can.

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on February 27, 2020 - 3:27pm

The sister site has Hi-Fi News used to have other measurements for the AHB2 amp that showed the amps performance under dynamic conditions vs. continuous conditions. (One can still search for the original re-printed review though.) There is no headroom with the amp whatsoever, but it still does 200Wpc into 4 ohms, and the monoblocks close to 500Wpc. Greater overall capacity with the monos, obviously. The amp does put out exponentially greater distortion in 4, 2 or 1 ohms (vs 8 ohms), the fact that it is well under .01% still (vs. 0005%) makes it a non-issue.

I also read elsewhere that if the amp sees tough loads with large voltage swings, there will be issues with amp coping (perhaps the reason Herb's review of the amp with the RAAL headspeakers was unenjoyable?), something the A21+ above avoids completely, due to its far greater power capabilities.

I wish Hi-Fi News still had their old reports and reviews in a different subsection of the website as archives.

rmkessler's picture
Submitted by rmkessler on February 28, 2020 - 2:39pm

Glotz,

Many thanks for your thoughts regarding the ABH2. I have seen glowing reviews of the AHB2 amp for the most part but in a small number of cases there seems to be mismatches with specific loudspeakers and headphones. I suspect that you have put your finger on the reason for these mismatches. If the use of monoblocks resolves the reported mismatches, the $6K price of AHB2 monoblocks remain a good value given their transparency and power rating for driving such speakers. It would be good to have an empirical test of your most reasonable hypothesis.

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on February 28, 2020 - 2:50pm

For the price of two mono AHB2s, one could also consider the bigger model stereo Parasound JC 5 :-) ......

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on February 28, 2020 - 3:53pm

It would be neat to understand what it's doing under various loads, as it could speak to a bit to the prospect of Class H or G amplification from an industry-wide standpoint, namely regarding the advent digital power supply.

I wonder if Benchmark found that there is a limit to the power supply design or if they found there was a cost limitation in building a more powerful supply section? I'd like to see this design implemented over Class D any day...

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on February 26, 2020 - 2:43pm

... (and one-third the price) Parasound NewClassic 2250 v.2, which has a 2-channel power rating of 275W into 8Ω and 400W into either 4Ω or 2Ω. Bridged/mono power rating is 750W into either 8Ω or 4Ω.

https://parasound.com/2250-v2.php

https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAC2250V2

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on March 1, 2020 - 11:45am

Another amp which could also be considered ......... AudioControl Avalon G4 ($2,200), favorably reviewed by TJN for S&V magazine ....... 2, 3 or 4 channels, 600 WPC 8 Ohms, 2 channels :-) ........

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on March 2, 2020 - 11:49am

... (for $999 each) and still have money left over?

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on March 2, 2020 - 12:08pm

Agreed ....... Parasound may be discontinuing some of the NewClassic lines ....... They seem to have the new ZoneMaster lines ........ I suggested the AudioControl, because it was reviewed by TJN and he compared it with the Parasound Halo 5 channel amp :-) ........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on March 1, 2020 - 11:34am

Ortofan, I have a subwoofer for you ....... Ascendo Seismic Subwoofer (see, S&V website) ....... 50" diameter driver ...... 88 pound magnets, 14" diameter voice coil, 6 feet tall, 140 db max SPL ....... You can hear lowest organ frequences, as well as earthquakes, train crashes and MOAB bomb explosions :-) ........

trmoore2's picture
Submitted by trmoore2 on February 26, 2020 - 4:13pm

I'm sure this is a wonderful amplifier, and I know there are significant differences in speakers' quality, but I never see A/B tests among amps (like Revel does with their speakers). Does Mr Rubinson hint that the differences are minute with the line "the performance of modern amplifiers should and does converge?" How much does my sound "suffer" by using a $2000 Marantz integrated amp/receiver or an Emotiva amp? If this amp is 10% "better," that number is not worth testing the waters of diminishing returns. Tell me if I'm wrong...

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on February 26, 2020 - 5:19pm

How much does my sound "suffer" by using a $2000 Marantz integrated amp/receiver or an Emotiva amp?

Dunno. I have not had an integrated amp or AVR in house in a very long time. When I had an Emotiva (https://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-51), it did not satisfy me.

If this amp is 10% "better," that number is not worth testing the waters of diminishing returns.

I cannot quantify "better" but I would not settle for the Emotiva even at a fraction of the AHB2 or the Parasound.

Tell me if I'm wrong...

I cannot.

trmoore2's picture
Submitted by trmoore2 on February 26, 2020 - 7:55pm

I tested a Revel set up (2.0) with a MacIntosh amplification at the dealers and it sounded wonderful. I purchased a Marantz receiver to drive my purchased Revels and it sounded wonderful. Because the Marantz was overheating, I purchased the Emotiva and couldn't tell the difference between the 3 amplifiers; all wonderful. I mention this not to take away from the Parasound, but to help people mystified or susceptible to the charms of high priced audio equipment. Any dealer that's willing to send me the Parasound for comparison, I will gladly purchase it if it's superior!

RockMan85's picture
Submitted by RockMan85 on February 27, 2020 - 3:26pm

But in the article you linked, this is a direct quote...

" Still, for $899. . . heck, forget that conditional: I am greatly impressed with the Emotiva XPA-5."

Can you please explain this discrepancy?

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on February 27, 2020 - 3:51pm

No discrepancy. Quality product but one can do better.

sjeffers's picture
Submitted by sjeffers on February 26, 2020 - 7:16pm

Just curious what you mean by "the dynamics are demo-quality". Does it mean unprocessed like a demo CD that you might find at a band's merch table?

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on February 27, 2020 - 9:00am

The statement merely acknowledges that RR recordings are known for their wide dynamic range (R128 dynamic range is 22.2LU on the track discussed) and that they are often chosen to demonstrate that at audio shows. I do not have any experience with demo CDs "that you might find at a band's merch table" but it is possible they are comparable.

Long-time listener's picture
Submitted by Long-time listener on February 26, 2020 - 11:33pm

"Unless an amp designer imposes her will ... "

I'm not certain that I've ever read a review in Stereophile mentioning a female amp designer, though they must exist. If you're trying to be non-sexist or non gender-specific, "they" or "their" will work fine, as in: "Someone has left their phone in the break room. They can claim it at the front desk."

count.de.monet's picture
Submitted by count.de.monet on February 27, 2020 - 12:44am

Parasound needs to promote the designer that put the gold trim strip in the faceplate. Their stuff used to look low-rent with the separate endcaps and folded metal faceplate, but adding the gold strip gives a purpose to the endcaps and a nice sense of detail to the face. well done.

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on February 27, 2020 - 8:51am

If you say so. I hadn't noticed any change.

count.de.monet's picture
Submitted by count.de.monet on February 27, 2020 - 3:22pm

Interesting. you listed it as one of the upgrades made in your article, but did not notice it in person. Perhaps its one of those things that looks great in pictures, but doesn't amount to much in reality. I will have to take a gander at my local dealer. maybe even listen. haha

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on February 27, 2020 - 8:57am

No meters? :-) .......

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on February 27, 2020 - 5:15pm

Ya got me! I am color-blind. :-)

count.de.monet's picture
Submitted by count.de.monet on March 3, 2020 - 11:12pm

got ya! now I am King of the Forums!

I tried to tell my wife I was gold/silver color blind but it didn't work.

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on March 4, 2020 - 7:45am

That may not be a problem ....... Traffic lights are not gold or silver :-) .......

tlathbury's picture
Submitted by tlathbury on March 2, 2020 - 6:39am

Kal,

Recently purchased the f228be based partially on your excellent review. Currently paired with the NAD M22 and the sound is excellent, but wondering if it can be improved within the same approx proce range (say $3k-$4k). Maybe larger soundstage, fuller/richer mids. Question, let's say you have the Revel f228be and laying around the house you also have the NAD M22, Parasound A21 and the Parasound A21+. Which one to you keep connected to the speakers, and why ? You personally.

Thanks !

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on March 2, 2020 - 12:53pm

...a larger (apparent) soundstage, then try a tube amp.

In his review of the ($3,495) Rogue Audio Stereo 100 power amp, HR stated that the amp in triode mode "delivered bigger, deeper, more CinemaScope soundstages populated with denser, more vivid three-dimensional aural images" and "in my view, the Stereo 100 is everything—sonically, mechanically, aesthetically—that we could hope for in a 21st-century tube amp. Everything about it screams "End-game tube amp, long-term keeper!""

https://www.stereophile.com/content/rogue-audio-stereo-100-power-amplifier

http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_100.htm

tlathbury's picture
Submitted by tlathbury on March 2, 2020 - 1:07pm

Thank you for the suggestion.

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on March 2, 2020 - 12:48pm

Me, personally? Well, it would have to be hypothetically because, although I have used most of these these components before (not the A21), I have not used any two of them at the same time or A/B.

If I was forced(!) to buy a pair without audition, I would mate the A21+ with the f228Be. I would anticipate(!) that the pair would have "fuller/richer mids" than the F228Be with the M22. I have not heard/used the M22 v2. That's all I can offer (with included qualifications).

tlathbury's picture
Submitted by tlathbury on March 2, 2020 - 1:06pm

OK thank !

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on March 2, 2020 - 1:42pm

F228Be have two 8" woofers in the bass frequency ....... Rogue 100 amp may not provide enough control ....... A 21+ could provide sufficient control of all the drivers in F228Be ....... The bass could be more impactful with A 21+ ....... Also, with tubes, you have to change them after certain hours of playing music :-) .......

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on March 2, 2020 - 9:50pm

... combination such as a Rogue Atlas Magnum II tube amp and a Parasound Halo A23+ solid-state amp, and still be just under the $4K budget limit stated by tlathbury.

http://rogueaudio.com/Products_Atlas_Magnum.htm
https://parasound.com/a23+.php

Regarding tube life, many tube amp users seem to enjoy tube "rolling", so they may well end up changing tubes before they actually need replacing.

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on March 3, 2020 - 7:58am

If $4k is the budget, one could choose the Rogue Audio DragoN tube/transistor hybrid amp ....... Tube input and Hypex Class-D output ...... 300/500 WPC 8/4 Ohms :-) .......

tlathbury's picture
Submitted by tlathbury on March 6, 2020 - 7:37am

Thanks, looks interesting...can't find any reviews.

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on March 6, 2020 - 8:03am

I know ...... DragoN hybrid amp is a new model from Rogue Audio ....... That is probably the reason why no reviews, yet ....... Rogue Sphinx hybrid integrated amp was favorably reviewed by HR for Stereophile ....... Given the track record of Rogue Audio, my guess is that the DragoN also should sound good :-) .......

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on March 6, 2020 - 8:20am

Rogue Audio similar hybrid, less power Hydra was favorably reviewed by TAS :-) .......

tlathbury's picture
Submitted by tlathbury on March 6, 2020 - 8:50am

Thanks again !

tlathbury's picture
Submitted by tlathbury on March 6, 2020 - 7:38am

Thanks, may be more boxes than I'd like to deal with.

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on March 2, 2020 - 2:11pm

NAD M22 is a pretty good, powerful amp ........ Why you want to change it? :-) .......

tlathbury's picture
Submitted by tlathbury on March 2, 2020 - 2:38pm

It's difficult to audition amps. There's no where I can go to listen to all the different amp options with a specific speaker model. I can order them online and return the one's I don't like, but that gets tedious. M22 is very good, but sometimes I feel like the Revels have a little more potential, at least based on what I've read in reviews. So trying to validate with opinions I feel are reliable.

davemill's picture
Submitted by davemill on April 14, 2020 - 12:57pm

tlathbury,

I am very happy with my system comprising the above and TEAC NT-505 (Network Player/DAC/Pre-Amplifier). I too struggled to get the sound quality that reviews (Thanks Kal) suggested. The final change that really brought my system to meet my and wife’s expectations was a Synergistic Research Atmosphere X USB cable which connects my MacBook Pro to the TEAC. I had also tried several other USB cables such as AudioQuest Carbon and Diamond and Kimber Kable CU. None of these sounded nearly as good as the SR. TEAC connects to the A21+ using a set of AudioQuest Earth XLR cables. Selected the A21+ based on Kal’s review of the F228Be’s. He tried the Classe amplifier which is a class D like the NAD and found the other 2 amps to be better match with the F228Be so I decided to go with the new Parasound. Good luck.

growboxguy's picture
Submitted by growboxguy on April 22, 2020 - 8:59pm

Greetings, excellent review. I am down to two amplifiers either a Parasound Halo 21+ or a Bryston 3b3. The price is nearly identical, about $400 more on the Bryston. I am running on a pair of Focal Aria 926 but plan on upgrading to a set of Paradigm Persona 3f's as soon as finances allow. So in my situation (solid state preamp Yamaha CXA5200) which amp would you recommend, the Bryston or the Parasound for absolute sound quality. Thank you so much for the hand.

davemill's picture
Submitted by davemill on April 23, 2020 - 11:31am

Hi growboxguy,

I don’t know where you are located but AudioAdvisor is a US online dealer for both Bryston and Parasound. I actually purchased my A21+ from them. They currently have the 3b3 on sale for $5215.50 while the A21+ is $2995. Although price isn’t indicative of which would be better, a 3b3 for only $400 more than the A21+ sounds like a better deal. The less powerful Bryston 2b3 is on sale for $3865.50 which still more than $400 than the A21+.

Vintageaudio66's picture
Submitted by Vintageaudio66 on July 31, 2020 - 6:04pm

After many years I'm getting back into quality audio. Bryston 3B3 is high on my list, but considerably more expensive. Is it that much better? Stereophile has also reviewed the PS Audio Stellar M700. Similar power and price. How does it compare with the Parasound 21+. Thanks

Max Earshot's picture
Submitted by Max Earshot on December 16, 2020 - 5:48pm

Great review. Thank you!
I am considering the following Power Amps to drive my Monitor Audio PL300ii. Which one would you recommend?
- Parasound A21+
- Anthem MCA225 Gen2
- Cambridge Audio Azur 851W

Thank you.

davemill's picture
Submitted by davemill on March 23, 2021 - 8:35pm

I owned an A21+ for about 13 months. I used it with my Revel F228Be speakers. Midrange clarity and bass response were lacking. I say that after trading in the amplifier for a Pass Labs XA-30.8. The Pass hasn't been in my house for more than a couple of hours and I can't believe how great the F228Be's really are. OK, I thought they would be but the supporting equipment makes a HUGE difference. An A21+ just isn't up to the task. If Stereophile gives it a Class A rating, the XA-30.8 is a Class A+++! Class A ratings should not be cost dependent and especially not advertising dependent.

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