Justin & Jerry's Hifi Blog

[Marco]

Jerry, what's your view on our suggestion?

Marco.

[MartinT]

I think we should keep it to power amps as we need to keep focus. Would be a great comparison, though.

[jandl100]

Yup, OK -- although I must admit I had more in mind a relaxed sesh with mainly classical moozik, rather than a power-amp shootout!

[MartinT]

Sounds fine to me, Jerry. Too much equipment always gets in the way of music.

[Marco]

I'll go along with what you guys want, but I thought that is was essentially a power amp 'shootout' between the Parasound and the Chord?

Therefore, one more amp in the equation shouldn't hurt... I'd have thought that a 'thermionic upstart', sandwiched in between two 'brutish sand-boy powerhouses' would've been an interesting comparison!

I'm also perfectly willing to listen to mostly classical music, as long as there's plenty of Shosty! Are you bringing your graphic equaliser, Jerry?

Marco.

[jandl100]

I'll go along with what you guys want, but I thought that is was essentially a power amp 'shootout' between the Parasound and the Chord?

Therefore, one more amp in the equation shouldn't hurt... I'd have thought that a 'thermionic upstart', sandwiched in between two 'brutish sand-boy powerhouses' would've been an interesting comparison!

I'm also perfectly willing to listen to mostly classical music, as long as there's plenty of Shosty! Are you bringing your graphic equaliser, Jerry?

Marco.

Yup, yup - I understand where you are coming from.

My point really is that I have tried a whole bundle (well over 20) of different amps with my MBL speakers and have settled on the Parasound amp as the best (by far) synergistic partner for them.

I feel sure that Martin has done something similar for his Usher/Chord combo.

As such, it's not really a 'shoot out' that Martin and I were considering - more of a "I wonder how the Parasound jells with the Ushers".
Which is why I suggested a return visit by Martin to my humble abode to try out his Chord amp in my system.

So, as I see it, no marks will be awarded. No "best amp" will be proclaimed. So in that sense I don't see it as a shoot-out.

But yes, I am sure that lots of Shosty can be played - and who knows, maybe we can interest you in other by-ways of classical music -- I am quite well known for coming in from far left field in that regard.

So .... after August, is it, for Marco?
If so, shall we set a date to meet at Martin's place in September?

[MartinT]

Agreed, Jerry, we know they are both good amps. I'm just curious as to how the Parasound will sound with the Ushers. It seems very good value for what it is and John Curl is a well respected designer.

Saturdays of 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th are free at the moment.

[jandl100]

Saturdays of 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th are free at the moment.

I see that the "National" Whittlebury Hall hifi show is on 22-23 Sept - so probably best to avoid that weekend, as I might want to shufty along.

How about Sept 8th?

[MartinT]

That's good for me - I've put it in my calendar.

[Marco]

Hi Jerry,

September 8th is cool with me

I hear where you're coming from, but you're misunderstanding me. I wasn't thinking of a 'shootout' either, or there being an award for the "best amp", perish the thought... It'd be a chillax'd music sesh and social gathering, primarily, as it always is at Martin's place.

I just thought that, purely from a curiosity factor, it would be too good an opportunity to miss to hear how a valve amp stacks up against two top-notch SS powerhouses - not with a view to awarding a "best amp" (how could one, anyway, there are too many variables), but purely as an interesting exercise to report on the forum.

I'm sure that a lot of members woud be interested in that. However, if you're dead against it, then we'll leave it.

In any case, I'll come armed with a wad of classical albums on vinyl - who knows, perhaps some you've not heard before?

Marco.