If bass performance is of utmost concern, the A 21+ should be on your shortlist of amps to consider. Really scared. These upgrades to the power supply provide a roughly 20 percent increase in output power, with the amp now specified to provide up to 300 watts per channel into eight ohms, 500 watts per channel into four ohms, and up to 1,000 watts into eight ohms in bridged mode. My qualified guess is that the integrated is worse than A21. The A21+ results look worse (to my eyes) and also distortion seems to be higher than that of A21 in my measurements. Parasound may have been thinking along these lines when they engaged the well-known amplifier designer John Curl to create their new five-channel amp, the Halo A 52+ ($2,995). The amp's size, weight, and heat output could pose potential installation problems, especially for those looking to place it in a cabinet or enclosure. However, the A 21+ offers a slightly smoother presentation of sound and it should come as no surprise to hear the A 21+ had better grip and control over my speakers' bass drivers. Maybe larger soundstage, fuller/richer mids. ConclusionThe A 21+ builds upon its predecessor's design, offering upgrades that elevate an already stellar amplifier to a new level. This does not seem to appear in the measurements referenced by Pavel. Halo has earned honors and awards that are unmatched. You could hear noise and slight hum if the ear was about 50cm from speakers with some 88dB/W/m sensitivity. Positive Feedback review - REVIEW. @zerodeefex warned me about the Parasound amps. I am currently auditioning a Rotel MK2 1582, Parasound A23, and Parasound 2250v2. With its high-quality chassis, thoughtful circuit design, and excellent sound quality, the A 21+ offers an impressive value proposition. 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After 15 years of devoted service, Parasound has retired its beloved Halo A 21 amplifier. 2014 (?). I just wish it didn't have that "THX certified" logo on the front, kind of cheapens the look imo. In a sense, you're getting an A 21, but with more of everything. My qualified guess is that the integrated is worse than A21. However, it seems to me that regarding measurements the A21+, according to Stereophile plots, is a step back. "The Parasound Halo A 21 and A 51 are top rate amplifiers at a great value. "Parasound has chosen to take a staple core product that has remained an exceptional value for over fifteen years, the Halo A21 amplifier, and re-spin it into the Halo A21+," reports Michael Zisserson at positive-feedback.com. Parasound classifies the amp's topology as high-bias Class A/AB. We can’t remember the last time we reviewed a product such as this with bass and treble controls. This amplifier is a beast and, because of that, I suggest you get help when unboxing and setting it up. Parasound's Halo JC5 conforms to some of these stereotypes, but there's more to it than just slam There's nothing terribly unusual about a big, hefty US-made power amp: after all, it's almost an archetype of what we think the US high-end is all about. A used Pass Labs vs. Parasound Halo A21 - kelvinkwong0908@hotmail.com - Amp/Preamp Asylum Amp/Preamp Asylum ... it may be better especially in transparency. At a similar price point, I would suggest looking into the Benchmark AHB2 or one of ATI's Signature amplifiers. 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). Your support is greatly appreciated! But it may lack the tube-like quality of A21. I just figure if the Parasound Halo Ax1's were fully balanced, differential designs, Parasound would explicitly advertise it as so. Measuring conditions written in the graphs. At first look the Parasound Halo A 21 is an appealing and robust amplifier accented by brushed metal finish. All of its high-power output is rated to be stable with speaker impedance dips down to 1.5 ohms. The former tried and true, untouchable value and staple of their product line, the A21, had set the bar for value vs. performance in both the HiFi and Professional audio worlds. The A 21 amplifier is loaded with usable … It fills the hole that was left in 2012 when Parasound discontinued the $2,500 A 52. Its replacement, the Halo A 21+, is priced a little higher at $2,995. All the amp needs is a little less grain, a little more warmth and a … Essentially, it’s trying to cram two of their top-of-the-line mono amps into a more attractive package – in both size and price. With that said, I found the most impressive part about the A 21+ was how it handled the bottom end. 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