Parasound A21+ good bad ugly?

[lokerola]

My A21+ is now repaired and being sent back, I should have it next Mon or Tues (Denver to ABQ doesn't take much time). Final bill was $2269 (with tax & shipping), it has a new circuit board with everything on it all new (big filter caps, small caps, transistors, resistors, and the unobtainium output transistors)... I'm still thinking about selling it and maybe buying a Schiit Wotan, but only maybe because my smaller Parasound A23+ is doing great work in its place. I think it is going to come down to the best two out of three coin tosses to decide.

Ouch, not cheap for a repair. Best of luck on your next steps with the A21+.

 

[krautmaster]

Ouch, not cheap for a repair. Best of luck on your next steps with the A21+.

Well, a brand new A21+ is now $4839, so paying $2200 for basically a brand new amp doesn't hurt as much. It was $1500 for the new circuit board, $500 labor, the rest taxes & shipping. Parasound doesn't sell individual output transistors, only the whole board. Apparently they horded thousands of the no longer made output transistors to keep making the A21+ and JC5 models until they run out of them. My A23+ uses the regular sized Sanken 2SA1386 and 2SC3519 outputs which have also been discontinued but you can still find those

 

[lokerola]

Well, a brand new A21+ is now $4839, so paying $2200 for basically a brand new amp doesn't hurt as much. It was $1500 for the new circuit board, $500 labor, the rest taxes & shipping. Parasound doesn't sell individual output transistors, only the whole board. Apparently they horded thousands of the no longer made output transistors to keep making the A21+ and JC5 models until they run out of them. My A23+ uses the regular sized Sanken 2SA1386 and 2SC3519 outputs which have also been discontinued but you can still find those
View attachment 3657799

Oh yea, I bought mine when they were still about $3,500.

 

[krautmaster]

Oh yea, I bought mine when they were still about $3,500.

I had two of them, this repaired one cost me $2450 new in 2020, I bought the 2nd one in 2021 for $2700. I sold the 2nd one in March 2024 for $2600 when the new ones were $3799- the almost $5k price tag now was what a JC5 used to cost.

 

[lokerola]

I had two of them, this repaired one cost me $2450 new in 2020, I bought the 2nd one in 2021 for $2700. I sold the 2nd one in March 2024 for $2600 when the new ones were $3799- the almost $5k price tag now was what a JC5 used to cost.
View attachment 3658233

I know, right? I should have bought a JC5 when I had the chance!

 

[krautmaster]

So "The Music Room" sent my A21+ back to me today, BUT it was not the one I sent to them for repair... Mine is serial number 21245, they sent me 21144. It looks to be in good shape, but how do I know it is a rebuilt one that will last for years, or did they simply send me a well used/possibly abused one that someone traded in to them? Since 3/4 of their business is buying and reselling used equipment (they sell new as well) they may have pulled a switcheroo on me, or it may be an honest mistake... I'll find out what they have to say on January 5th - for now it is going right back in the box. (first pic is the box from mine in Aug 2020, 2nd pic is the serial number of the one I received today).

 

[lokerola]

So "The Music Room" sent my A21+ back to me today, BUT it was not the one I sent to them for repair... Mine is serial number 21245, they sent me 21144. It looks to be in good shape, but how do I know it is a rebuilt one that will last for years, or did they simply send me a well used/possibly abused one that someone traded in to them? Since 3/4 of their business is buying and reselling used equipment (they sell new as well) they may have pulled a switcheroo on me, or it may be an honest mistake... I'll find out what they have to say on January 5th - for now it is going right back in the box. (first pic is the box from mine in Aug 2020, 2nd pic is the serial number of the one I received today).

View attachment 3666278View attachment 3666280

Oh man, that's a bummer. It's a good thing you checked the serial number. I probably wouldn't have noticed. Well, good luck with talking to them. That seems like a pretty egregious mistake.

 

[krautmaster]

Oh man, that's a bummer. It's a good thing you checked the serial number. I probably wouldn't have noticed. Well, good luck with talking to them. That seems like a pretty egregious mistake.

Well I took the top off and looked it over really well for my sneaky hidden sharpe marks and found that it is my front panel/back panel/sides/and top, only the bottom plate (with serial number) is different. The circuit board is new too, so they probably just grabbed the wrong bottom plate when they were putting it back together.

 

[krautmaster]

Since I determined that 90% of the amp was indeed mine, I put it back in the office system driving my old low ohm load Infinity RS4b (1.6 ohms at 35 hz) - wow does it sound good ! The biggest difference between the smaller A23+ I have been using is in bass impact (gut punch powerful now) and the sustain on notes... I had David Gilmour's "Luck and Strange" live concerts playing... simply incredible. I had it playing it for at least 9 hours and the big heat sinks were showing only 94F (34C) just before I turned it off - not bad for playing all day.

 

[krautmaster]

I had a conversation with TMR this morning and all is well ! The tech said he had two of them in for repair and the circuit board is attached to the bottom plate, then the sides go on, then the back & front, so he mixed them up. Since the amp is now well out of Parasound's warranty the serial number is a moot point since they have washed their hands of anything out of warranty (see link below).

I believe I'll listen to it for a month or so then I'll probably put it up for sale on US Audio Mart since I don't trust the unobtainium parts... I see a Schiit Wotan in my future...

Out of Warranty Repair

Out of Warranty ReadyRepair The repair centers listed below are designated for out-of-warranty repair work only. They have access to current schematics (under NDA) and meet customer satisfaction criteria. These centers are capable of performing necessary component-level repairs for...

parasound.com

 

[lokerola]

I had a conversation with TMR this morning and all is well ! The tech said he had two of them in for repair and the circuit board is attached to the bottom plate, then the sides go on, then the back & front, so he mixed them up. Since the amp is now well out of Parasound's warranty the serial number is a moot point since they have washed their hands of anything out of warranty (see link below).

I believe I'll listen to it for a month or so then I'll probably put it up for sale on US Audio Mart since I don't trust the unobtainium parts... I see a Schiit Wotan in my future...

Out of Warranty Repair

Out of Warranty ReadyRepair The repair centers listed below are designated for out-of-warranty repair work only. They have access to current schematics (under NDA) and meet customer satisfaction criteria. These centers are capable of performing necessary component-level repairs for...

parasound.com

Glad you got it fixed. I do miss my A21+ - hell of an amp!

I do think that Parasound is not long for this world. They never innovate with any new products - all their stuff has been on the market for years now. No DAC's, no CD players, and same old, same old amps and pre amps. Don't get wrong, I like their stuff, but the product is ancient compared to their competitors.

 

[Kptn Howdie]

I have an a21 using a hint 6 as a preamp. IMO it shines at real high volume levels running relatively cool after hours of play. These amps are very competitive and reasonably priced compared to others way outside of the average price range.

 

[krautmaster]

I have an a21 using a hint 6 as a preamp. IMO it shines at real high volume levels running relatively cool after hours of play. These amps are very competitive and reasonably priced compared to others way outside of the average price range.

Yes the A21+ is a beast that loves to play loud, and will do so all day long... but they have doubled in price in the last five years. IMO they are not worth the current $5K asking price. My Schiit Wotan will play just as loud, and all day long too, but only costs $2K.

 

[Bilies]

There is an understandable amount of doom/gloom about the future of Parasound, but would anyone still purchase new product from them today? Not snark.....I am genuinely thinking about getting a Hint6. I have been using a NewClassic NC200 integrated for a year and I like it. I will admit I have not had much experience with amps, none with nice/expensive ones. But the reports and signals since the company changed hands, are concerning. For example, some of what Krautmaster mentions just above, "the no longer made output transistors to keep making the A21+ and JC5 models". I have no idea if that or similar sourcing problems affect Hint6 production, but...that's what gives me stay.

 

[krautmaster]

There is an understandable amount of doom/gloom about the future of Parasound, but would anyone still purchase new product from them today? Not snark.....I am genuinely thinking about getting a Hint6. I have been using a NewClassic NC200 integrated for a year and I like it. I will admit I have not had much experience with amps, none with nice/expensive ones. But the reports and signals since the company changed hands, are concerning. For example, some of what Krautmaster mentions just above, "the no longer made output transistors to keep making the A21+ and JC5 models". I have no idea if that or similar sourcing problems affect Hint6 production, but...that's what gives me stay.

I would stay clear of the Halo line since they all use the same unobtainium parts (the mores expensive ones just use more of them). Their New Classics line (these sound damn good too) use parts that everybody else uses and are readily available should something fail.

There is now only ONE service center for the Halo equipment (the only place that can now get access to the parts):

Exclusive Service Center for Current HALO & JC Models – The Tone Garage​

Effective January 1, 2026, all non-warranty repair and out-of-warranty service for the following current Parasound HALO and JC models is performed exclusively at The Tone Garage: A21+, A23+, A31, A51, A52+, P6, HINT6, JC1+, JC2BP, JC3+, JC5
These amplifiers and preamps have very low failure rates and highly specialized designs. Centralizing service with a single expert shop ensures best-in-class diagnostics, parts handling, and verification testing for Parasound owners.

Repair

Parasound Warranty & Out-of-Warranty Repair Parasound offers factory-authorized non-warranty repair options through approved service partners. Our goal is simple: accurate, reliable service that keeps your Parasound amplifier, preamp, or integrated delivering the music and movie experience you...

parasound.com

 

[Bilies]

I would stay clear of the Halo line since they all use the same unobtainium parts (the mores expensive ones just use more of them). Their New Classics line (these sound damn good too) use parts that everybody else uses and are readily available should something fail.

There is now only ONE service center for the Halo equipment (the only place that can now get access to the parts):

Exclusive Service Center for Current HALO & JC Models – The Tone Garage​

Effective January 1, 2026, all non-warranty repair and out-of-warranty service for the following current Parasound HALO and JC models is performed exclusively at The Tone Garage: A21+, A23+, A31, A51, A52+, P6, HINT6, JC1+, JC2BP, JC3+, JC5
These amplifiers and preamps have very low failure rates and highly specialized designs. Centralizing service with a single expert shop ensures best-in-class diagnostics, parts handling, and verification testing for Parasound owners.

Repair

Parasound Warranty & Out-of-Warranty Repair Parasound offers factory-authorized non-warranty repair options through approved service partners. Our goal is simple: accurate, reliable service that keeps your Parasound amplifier, preamp, or integrated delivering the music and movie experience you...

parasound.com

I appreciate the reply. I was concerned about the very thing you mentioned, KM, re: designated-monopoly of service; it seemed like yet another bad sign. But FWIW, I think one guy in a Steve Hoffman Forum thread for Parasound, just recently had his A21 Halo power amp worked on (under warranty) by Tone Garage and the experience was good; another post of his just below that, indicated that TG did out-of-warranty work as well.

Krautmaster, I might have missed discussion of this earlier in the thread, but what is your info source for the unavailability of these parts used in the Halo line? Is it the case that they cannot easily be replaced with equivalents, i.e. likely replacements would be cheaper and worse? Could this already be happening in the factory with brand-new units?

This might really not be the place to ask, but has anyone lived with a Hint6 for a while, and could recommend a still-in-production integrated amp by anyone, that is the Hint6's equal, or better, at approx. the same price ~$3K? Sorry if this is off-topic. The features are what appealed to me about the H6, but I have resigned myself to not getting a high-/low-pass crossover (analog bass managment) in pretty much any other integrated, alas, but that's okay with me. Even a DAC and digital inputs are negotiable, I prefer having them but I know there is school of thought that reviles this. My tendency is still to stay away from tubes/separates, but that is simply a concern over expense and an increase in variables.

 

[lokerola]

There is an understandable amount of doom/gloom about the future of Parasound, but would anyone still purchase new product from them today? Not snark.....I am genuinely thinking about getting a Hint6. I have been using a NewClassic NC200 integrated for a year and I like it. I will admit I have not had much experience with amps, none with nice/expensive ones. But the reports and signals since the company changed hands, are concerning. For example, some of what Krautmaster mentions just above, "the no longer made output transistors to keep making the A21+ and JC5 models". I have no idea if that or similar sourcing problems affect Hint6 production, but...that's what gives me stay.

I don’t have a Hint, but I’ve owned my share of Parasound gear over the years have always enjoyed it. I still have an old D/AC-1100HD DAC in my system that sounds fantastic and a newer JC3 JR phono preamp that is great.

As long as you buy it with eyes wide open that Parasound may not exist in the next few years, or it may be hard to get it serviced, then I would say go for it. But if those things will weigh on you, I would steer clear of Parasound.

Music direct seems to have dropped them as a brand, although Audio advisor and Upscale Audio still carries them.

 

[Bilies]

As long as you buy it with eyes wide open that Parasound may not exist in the next few years, or it may be hard to get it serviced, then I would say go for it. But if those things will weigh on you, I would steer clear of Parasound.

This sounds like good advice, and realistic, thanks.
I don't know if there any old-hands here who have looked inside a Hint6, I wonder if repairs to them could be done easily enough---as easily as with any other comparable integrated---by any competent audio tech, once out-of-warranty? If I could get 10 years out of one with minimal to no repairs, I wouldn't mind it turning into an anchor.....assuming I really liked it, it would have paid for itself many times over by then. Plus by then I won't be young anymore and I can just get a stamp-sized Fosi or whatever and totally surrender to the "all amps sound the same" orthodoxy.

 

[krautmaster]

I appreciate the reply. I was concerned about the very thing you mentioned, KM, re: designated-monopoly of service; it seemed like yet another bad sign. But FWIW, I think one guy in a Steve Hoffman Forum thread for Parasound, just recently had his A21 Halo power amp worked on (under warranty) by Tone Garage and the experience was good; another post of his just below that, indicated that TG did out-of-warranty work as well.

Krautmaster, I might have missed discussion of this earlier in the thread, but what is your info source for the unavailability of these parts used in the Halo line? Is it the case that they cannot easily be replaced with equivalents, i.e. likely replacements would be cheaper and worse? Could this already be happening in the factory with brand-new units?

This might really not be the place to ask, but has anyone lived with a Hint6 for a while, and could recommend a still-in-production integrated amp by anyone, that is the Hint6's equal, or better, at approx. the same price ~$3K? Sorry if this is off-topic. The features are what appealed to me about the H6, but I have resigned myself to not getting a high-/low-pass crossover (analog bass managment) in pretty much any other integrated, alas, but that's okay with me. Even a DAC and digital inputs are negotiable, I prefer having them but I know there is school of thought that reviles this. My tendency is still to stay away from tubes/separates, but that is simply a concern over expense and an increase in variables.

The output transistors (the big wide Sanken ones pictured) and the Toshiba 2SJ74P & 2SK170N J-FETs on the board have not been produced for 5 years. Parasound has a supply of them (they must have bought up most the final production) but will not sell them to individuals. To repair a Halo unit they have to get an entire new circuit board sent over from the factory in Taiwan and then send your bad one back to Taiwan where they harvest the good parts off the board... sooner rather than later they are going to run out and then you own a boat anchor if it breaks.

 

[krautmaster]

This sounds like good advice, and realistic, thanks.
I don't know if there any old-hands here who have looked inside a Hint6, I wonder if repairs to them could be done easily enough---as easily as with any other comparable integrated---by any competent audio tech, once out-of-warranty? If I could get 10 years out of one with minimal to no repairs, I wouldn't mind it turning into an anchor.....assuming I really liked it, it would have paid for itself many times over by then. Plus by then I won't be young anymore and I can just get a stamp-sized Fosi or whatever and totally surrender to the "all amps sound the same" orthodoxy.

No local tech will even try to fix a HALO product, the circuit boards use too many surface mount bits and the output transistors and J-fets are unobtainium... when it goes bad it will be a boat anchor.



I would take a good hard look at this Advance Paris A-10 integrated amp for $3K... it has everything and a couple tubes in the preamp section... very highly reviewed (a couple guys on the forum have the bigger A-12 and love them).

Advance Paris A10 Classic Integrated Amplifier

Musical Evidence With Advance Paris’ new A10 CLASSIC amplifier, their goal was to offer an audiophile integrated amplifier inspired by the famous X-i1100, praised for its musicality and liveliness. The A10 is fully integrated into the future and easy to use. While its classic design remains...

www.worldwidestereo.com