Upgrading my system - scared!

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by recordhead, Sep 14, 2015.

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  1. KT88

    KT88 Senior Member

    I just sold a Rogue Audio preamp and power amp to a customer who had Parasound Halo gear. He also had an Oppo player, which broke and he replaced with a Cambridge Audio player of a similar design. I took the Parasound gear in on trade for the Rogue Audio gear and the customer is very happy with the sonic improvement. He is also proud to own a product both designed and manufactured in the USA. Parasound is made in China.
    -Bill
     
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  2. BayouTiger

    BayouTiger Forum Resident

    I've demoed the Sphinx, and bought the Cronus. I really wanted to like the Sphinx, but found it a bit on the dark side. I liked the Cronus a lot, but in my tiny little office, it just ran too hot. I also had no use for the phono section on either which I thought was really weak. Funny that I thought the Cronus was really similar to my ARC SP16/VS110 combo which is a big compliment. I actually sold the Cronus some time ago and have since bought the Parasound P5 and A23 combo for the same price of a Sphinx. I was a bit worried since I had previously owned the Parasound "New Classic" 2100/2250 combo and I didn't care for it at all, But I LOVE the Halo setup. I really got tired of dealing with all the extra little boxes. I like the phono stage and DAC on the P5 and while the phono stage may not be quite as good as my Phonomena II, it's miles better than the one on the older Rogue amps - though I understand that the stage is greatly improved on the New Cronus II.

    No horse in the race, just conveying my little experience. I don't know where the comment on parts and so forth come from, my experience with Rogue was excellent in every way.
     
  3. Litejazz53

    Litejazz53 Perfect Sound Through Crystal Clear Digital

    Well, I was just so amazed that a system costing 1/4 the cost of the system I had over 15 years (Sony, Jeff Rowland, & Studer ReVox) is so darn good, I probably did not say it with enough enthusiasm, wow, do I like Parasound Halo. It should be noted I purchased their top of the line products including the JC 2 BP, however I would not hesitate to purchase any of their Halo products. How many companies can fix their products after 20 years? How many companies put their president on the phone and he "gladly" speaks to you, the customer for 10 minutes or 1 hour, I never felt rushed, but came away so informed. What was most interesting, Richard could tell me so much about other products on the market and how his products were different, we even covered my old standby, Jeff Rowland, very interesting conversation. After being so badly destroyed by Sony with their SCD-1 $5,000.00 SACD player, no parts, no service, no nothing, and their office of the president did everything possible for 8 long months to get rid of me. After that experience I looked for a large company, someone that does not make 900 million products, and can support what they manufacture. Here is something interesting, Sony's money maker in Japan has nothing to do with electronics, they sell home and auto insurance, it's their big money maker.
     
  4. BayouTiger

    BayouTiger Forum Resident

    Well I will says that it is not a problem at all to get Mark O'Brien at Rogue on the phone either. In fact, chances are he will be the one that answers....

    These are truly two really good old school manufacturers. They make great stuff at reasonable prices and back it up with great service!
     
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  5. Subvet

    Subvet Forum Resident

    Location:
    Southern Maine
    Agree that both Rogue and Parasound are great companies. Both have great support reputations. We all have our own requirements and likes and I, for one, am glad both companies are making such good products.

    And, for the record, Parasound's product are manufactured in Taiwan.
     
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  6. Jack Flannery

    Jack Flannery Forum Resident

    Location:
    Houston, TX
    I have a Cronus Mag. Like it a lot. Listened to a Sphinx paired with some KEF's. Don't remember the model. You could get out of there for about $2.5k for amp and speakers. Not bad. The phono pre on my amp is weak but the next gen is supposed to be a lot better.
     
  7. head_unit

    head_unit Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles CA USA
    Yeah, maybe (well, obviously) as a loudspeaker engineer I'm biased, but I find it funny that so much attention gets paid to amps when it is the speakers that affect the sound most drastically. Definitely choose the speakers first!

    Your HK piece I think is a nice one, actually, but at "34 watts" not going to happily drive power hungry speakers. So while I think Magnepans and Martin-Logan electrostats are terrific, well, you would probably need a MUCH beefier amp to drive that or any other low sensitivity speaker. KEF/B&W maybe driven to nice modest volume.

    Either with your HK or some of the other amps mentioned, high sensitivity speakers would be in order. Klipschorns in the corners of your basement? (eliminating some reflections to boot!). Not cheap but your HK could drive those pretty loud. Or Big Klipsch towers. Or Zu Audio products definitely worth a listen. Actually I really like the Klipschorn idea…maybe used, if you ca find locally.

    Another wrinkle would be to add a subwoofer(s)….but your HK doesn't seem to have the pre-out /main-in RCA jacks necessary to integrate the sub properly. But it is something to think about especially with a Magneplanar.
     
    Dave likes this.
  8. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialist™

    Location:
    B.C.
    :agree: Listen to head_unit. He knows of what he speaks. Upgrading from a stand mounted pair to floor standers gave me much more sonic improvement than every other tweak I've ever tried or used.
     
  9. beowulf

    beowulf Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chula Vista, CA
    I agree with head_unit and would not go for an integrated until you got your speakers sorted out. For a few hundred over the MSRP of the Cronus Magnum, consider the following:

    Amplifier: Decware - Super Zen Triode (2 watt S.E.T. circuit with 2 inputs and volume control) = $995
    Speakers: Omega - Super 7XRS (95dB @ 8 ohms) = $1495
    Phono Stage: Lounge Audio - LCR MKIII (MM dual mono phono preamp) = $300

    Total = $2790

    All of these pieces are hand crafted in the USA as well. The Decware amp has a lifetime warranty, the Omega 10 years. And you will get new speakers, new amplification (to get your tube fix on) and a new phono stage all of which are excellent performers in their prospective price categories.
     
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  10. sublemon

    sublemon Forum Resident

    good points. and yeah, there is a difference between active and "powered" speakers. true active is definitely better, but the difference is often glossed over. Funny, i don't think i've ever really had an amp or speaker blow. CD players and even a dac or two, sure...
     
  11. royzak2000

    royzak2000 Senior Member

    Location:
    London,England
    Really thought I had escaped from you, thousands of miles, and you are still there.
     
  12. Brother_Rael

    Brother_Rael Senior Member

    Ha, yeah, me neither! Never had as much as a blip so I've been very lucky I think. I hear very good things of the Audioengines though, but I'd longed for the AEs I'm using now and haven't looked back. Only been a month or so, but they've been revelatory.
     
  13. Brother_Rael

    Brother_Rael Senior Member

    I have to admit to being utterly bamboozled by this post. Or maybe it's the third gin, either way, I'm lost with the above post!
     
  14. Daddy Dom

    Daddy Dom Lodger

    Location:
    New Zealand
    Compatibility aside, don't Maggies and MLs require a lot of space around them? So in my understanding you'd need to have them sitting quite a way out into your room. Have you considered that aspect?

    Also, I think a good connection with a local seller is worth a lot in terms of being in the right place for good used gear or bargains on new, not to mention the good advice that comes from a good relationship.

    Good luck and have fun!
    DD
     
  15. Aereoplain

    Aereoplain Forum Resident

    Location:
    NC
    All this talk on amps, which is great for future use. However, find the speakers that you want to own first. Period.
    I like Harbeth, PSB and Infinity 363.
    With whatever money is left over, look for an amp. Sufficient amps can be purchased for whatever amount you chose to spend.
     
  16. royzak2000

    royzak2000 Senior Member

    Location:
    London,England
    Sorry. It was the sixth Stella. My mistake your post reminded me of someone of a UK forum.
     
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  17. Litejazz53

    Litejazz53 Perfect Sound Through Crystal Clear Digital

    Hey Bill, what are you saying here? Is the insinuation that Parasound should be sold at Walmart or what? These pieces are made in Taiwan not China. It's interesting that you should mention that, as I had a long talk with Richard Schram about where their products were made and why. He is able to secure some of the best parts possible for his equipment in Taiwan, and said the cost would be more than tripled here in the United States. He is trying to build the very best and offer it at a price "normal" people can afford. When these Halo products get to him in the United States, he makes sure they are all perfect in every way, nothing slips through the cracks, and I found this to be true on all three of my Halo pieces, perfect in every way. I lived with Jeff Rowland equipment for over 15 years, the GOLD stuff like the 8Ti-HC power amplifier, the Sony SCD-1 top of the line SACD player, etc. I know high and mighty audio equipment, and once I sold my Jeff Rowland amplifier to a man in the Philippines, and the pre-amp to a gentleman in the United States, I wanted equipment made by a company I knew I could trust to repair the equipment for many years, and if history is a teacher, Parasound was a sound decision. I'm not sure what relevance your mentioning a "broken" Oppo player means, does that mean mine is going to break tomorrow? I'm sure Rogue equipment is great stuff, but I was comfortable with Parasound as thousands of people are, especially when it's their top of the line Halo products. I would assume you are an audio dealership and have the Rogue line, but do not have either Oppo or Parasound. How can you compare anything to the Oppo 105 Darby Dan, the player does everything, and the Darby Dan circuitry is so nice, the picture enhancement is beyond description. There are NO bad reviews on the Oppo 105 Darby Dan anywhere, it's a killer product, surely you know that! Did you drop that man's Oppo player and break it?
     
  18. KT88

    KT88 Senior Member

    I thought it was rather clear and concise, sorry.
    -Bill
     
  19. Ntotrar

    Ntotrar Forum Resident

    Location:
    Tri-Cities TN
  20. Drew769

    Drew769 Buyer of s*** I never knew I lacked

    Location:
    NJ
    I think the Cronus will match well to those Maggies. Neither that speaker or the combo of the amp and speaker is a "hard rocker" by nature, and the OP said he was more interested in clarity. The Rogue and maggie combo should give a nice, liquidy, 3D soundstage. I would go with the Cronus over the Sphynx, though - can't beat a good tube amp. As for being future proof, I don't think Rogue is going anywhere. Located in PA in a very small shop, Mark has a nice little operation that is doing great things and selling a lot of product. I think he's truly having fun, too - at least every time I've spoken with him it seems like he is. And why not? He worked for a big telecom before following his dream and starting Rogue. The amps are well constructed, and they are relatively simple and well- layed out. Plus you can call there on any given day and he answers the phone and his emails...how many CEOs do that?
     
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  21. Lonson

    Lonson I'm in the kitchen with the Tombstone Blues

    Excellent advice H.
     
  22. Suppertime

    Suppertime Member

    Location:
    Atlanta
    Did you end up liking the PSB Imagine T's? They were on my shortlist and I spent some time with them yesterday but totally could not get into them. Seemed lifeless coming off Rega RP6 and Parasound HINT. Got a little better with the HINT running alongside the A23, but I left a little discouraged about the PSB's.
     
  23. Upinsmoke

    Upinsmoke Well-Known Member

    Location:
    SE PA
    I know this is an older thread but had to agree both with Rogue (yup, talked to Mark a few times - very nice person to deal with) and Parasound and it's amazing how easy it is to get a hold of someone there that is knowledgeable and helpful. Actually at Parasound I was transferred to one of their engineers which kind of blew me away.

    No waiting to go to an answering machine that doesn't take messages, no non-responses to emails or postings on forums that are monitored by company staff. Just helpful , friendly people that really talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to their customers.
     
  24. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    Old post but with no disrespect intended- fairly ludicrous. Rogue is top notch and will be around for a while. Despite being successful they are still growing and expanding production capacity- and still unable to meet demand.
    Nothing against Parasound, Richard Schramm is a genius at sourcing low cost components and manufacturing with his overseas connections wrapped up in a feature packed well designed package. But it's still solid state and for many a deal breaker (for me it was no contest).
     
  25. Actually, most of the Parasound Halo gear is made in Tawain, but designed in the USA by CTC Builders.
     
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