[Bigload]

I am using a 240/3 and a 260 in my HT surround system and running them from an AVR.  Considering a Parasound Halo P7 multichannel preamp to run my BDP-83SE through to my AVA amps and on to my HT1TL/HT2TL/HT2C speakers.  Would also run the AVR through the Parasound and use the HT bypass to play my other sources.  Any experience or comments about compatibility with that combination?  Thanks.

[floresjc]

I have a Parasound 2100 paired with a 440 and a 240/3 (actually I'm using my Ultra 550 with it right now) and its a great combination. I can't imagine the P7 doing anything wrong since its a step up into the Halo series.

Personally, I think that Parasound and AVA are the best bang for the buck. If you desire some of the more modern functions/bling as well as quality sound, Parasound makes some of the best values around. If you're the type who's no muss no fuss and wants just pure audio performance, it'd be hard to beat AVA. I'm very happy with the combination and don't hesitate to recommend it to others based on what they are looking for feature wise (some people just won't get up to turn on a preamp or an amp).

[adydula]

Hi,

Before I made the final decision to buy an AVA Preamp I was all set on buying a Parasound Halo or 2100 and traded several emails with Parasound.
The 2100 is used by several people on the AC threads and has a HT bypass with sub.

I actually was told by Parasound the 2100 was a newer design than the P3 halo preamp and was suggested to look at it instead unless I needed balanced speaker connections.
The P3 doesnt have HT bypass and it costs more.

That said I am sure they make great stuff. I finally decided on Franks AVA Preamp because I wanted something that was 'matched', a person I could pick up the phone and talk to about things any time I wanted to.

Musically the AVA pre is awesome. Frank added a HT Bypass switch to my pre-amp and it works but it is not as elegant as the HT bypass in the Parasound 2100....

That said, Frank has stated (3) options to add this type of function to a preamp...and to me its sonicially then convience, but I hate to add the conveince but loose something sonically...

Life is a compromise!

All the best
Alex

[Bigload]

Appreciate the feedback.  I do currently have an AVA preamp/DAC combo unit in my 2 channel room.  And it is a very beautiful sounding unit indeed.  However, in the HT room, I use my system for multichannel SACD listening, so I needed a multichannel preamp.  I went ahead and ordered the Halo P7.  Hoping for a good result.  Thanks again.

[Vulcan00]

I run My AVA Ultra EC pre through the P7 bypass!!!!!!  Sounds backwards dont it???

[Bigload]

The P7 came today.  Hooked up and tweaked tonight.  Sounds good with the AVA amps but by the time I got it wired up and adjusted a little, it was past an old man's bed time and I did not get to any detailed adjustments yet..  Needs a little break in time.  Plan to leave it playing for about 3 days.  Initial very preliminary observation was that the compatibility with the Salks and the AVA was very good.  more later.

Later-
After some reasonable break in time and much obsesive/compulsive listening and adjusting.... I am very pleased.  The Halo P7 brought a new purity to the sound and removed any color that the AVR was adding.  It was like the AVR was trying too hard to add a false sense of spaciousness that ended up coming off as more mechanically imposed than natural.  The Parasound preamp combined with Frank's Double 260 and Double 240/3 take things back to a very natural presentation and make for a fantastic listening experience in both SACD multichannel mode as well as movie mode.  Could not be more pleased.  AND... for fans of AVA equipment, I am in that club as well, owning a Van Alstine 2 channel preamp/DAC, and 3 of Frank's amplifiers.  I think the AVA products are amazing performers.  If AVA offered a 8 channel (7.1) preamp, with HT bypass, tone control, sub trim control, on board bass management, source level equalization, full function remote and all of the other requisite bells and whistles, I would have bought it in a NY minute.  Would have even likely bought it absent some of those features.  But since that does not exist, Parasound was the right choice for me in this application and resulted in a nice improvement to my system.  Next thing on the agenda... thinking about a turn table!