Arcam P49 vs Parasound A21

[JMac]

Which would you choose and why?

I've narrowed my choice of power amp down to these two (there are a couple of left field options in the background though) and whilst I'll be able to audition the Arcam, I wont be able to listen to the Parasound.

On paper, the Arcam would seem to have it but then the A21 is also highly rated. I need something that will be fast whilst offering a wide and deep soundstage.

 

[CnoEvil]

I have a very soft spot for the Arcam Class G amps, which are the closest thing that I've heard to my AMS 35i, at half sensible money....I haven't heard the Parasound though, but suspect that the Arcam would win out.

 

[JMac]

Thats my thinking too. I'm hoping that there may be some room for doing a deal on the Arcam though as the Parasound is typically £2600 whilst the Arcam £3250 (UK price). It gets a tougher decision if you evaluate them both taking the £650 difference in to account.

 

[Mike_Schmidt]

I had the A21 with JC2 and found it only okay. I'm much happier with my Cyrus stereo 200. But if you narrowed down to these two I would honestly say hearing arcam's integrated amps I would take the acram musically. The a21 had power and drive but I never felt involved with it. I'm from the Canada so price would be similar somewhat.

 

[Al ears]

I had the A21 with JC2 and found it only okay. I'm much happier with my Cyrus stereo 200. But if you narrowed down to these two I would honestly say hearing arcam's integrated amps I would take the acram musically. The a21 had power and drive but I never felt involved with it. I'm from the Canada so price would be similar somewhat.

I think the Parasound kit is highly underrated, however, if you cannot audition it then it's a bit meaningless.

Having said that I have no idea what your front end is.

What you are using here is vital. A decent power amp adds nothing.

Amplified garbage is just garbage.

 

[JMac]

Front end is 95% digital. Initially it'll be via my MF M1 SDAC working as DAC and pre. Once the power amp is inplace the SDAC will be the next piece to be replaced. What with would be dependent on the power amp I go with.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Heard either so take with a pinch of salt but id choose the arcam as its seems to have a lower distortion.

 

[Mike_Schmidt]

Cyrus 8se with psx at the time and rega p3