-Superb design & build -Neutral, dynamic, natural music reproduction -Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs -Adjustable input levels for each channel -Switchable to mono mode for use as a mono-block amp

Very heavy!

So many accolades have been heaped upon this amp that I risk merely repeating what has gone before ... but in a world where audiophile sound equipment pricing has reached astronomical and outrageous levels, praise must be given to outstanding products that sell at (comparatively) modest prices. The Parasound A21 is just such a remarkable product! Built like a streamlined tank (this amp is quite heavy), it's sleek, brushed aluminum face plate is both elegant in its simplicity and professional in appearance. THX Ultra II certified with lots of dynamic headroom, and designed to run class A/AB, the A21 runs mainly in class A mode at moderate volume levels when driving reasonably efficient speakers (90dB/1W/1M). Perhaps this, along with its superb design, construction quality and internal components, is why this amplifier sounds too good to believe. Forget the price for a moment; ignore the fact that it's a solid-state, stereo amp that's made in Taiwan -- this is an audiophile-grade amplifier that improves every aspect of the sound coming from your system! It brings delicacy and clarity to music, yet is powerful and dynamic. It is very neutral and does not emphasize any part of the sound spectrum: highs are sweet and clear -- extended but not bright or hard. The midrange is jaw-dropping "you are sitting in front of the singer" three-dimensional and realistic. The bass is authoritative and deep, tightly controlled with dynamic punch and no bloat or overhang. Imaging is exceptional and the sound stage has natural depth and width. The Halo A21 presents the fabric of the musical composition with a wholeness that few other amps can achieve. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

BEL 1001, ODL Odyssey, Denon POA-8300

Makes you forget the tube vs. solid state debate. It simply 'is' a great amp, regardless of amplifier type. All that remains is the music. Forget about the equipment, just enjoy the music.

Heavy. Takes up rack space. Could get warm with continuous loud play, but I don't know that for a fact, yet.

Most people write reviews to later read their own posts, and I am no exception. In this case, I feel compelled to write about the Halo A 21 because of its incredible value and mind-boggling sonic excellence. That a $2000 amplifier could sound this good defies logic. I first became interested in the HALO line because of their extremely well received JC - 1 mono amps. I like the idea of 'stepping down' a notch in manufacturers' lines, 1) to save some money, and 2) to experience the same 'familiy of sound' typical of audio product lines. In this case, I simply cannot imagine the JC -1's being better than the A 21, but HALO assures me that is the case. The A 21 is a beast, it must weigh at least 70 pounds and it takes up some space. It is built like a beautiful, elegant tank; brushed aluminum, sleek, simple and professional in appearance. Lots of features I won't use, but they are there. I will try to resist the usual list of adjectives typical of these reviews, but I won't succeed at that. This amp is simply too good to believe. Forget the price, forget it is solid state, forget that it is produced overseas, forget that it is not a pair of mono amps; this amp improves the entire character of your system. It adds delicacy yet is powerful. It is delicious but not too sweet. The bass is superb, authoritative and pitch-correct, and does not separate itself from the fabric of the sonic picture. The mids are lush, seductive, full and whole. The highs are extended but not bright or etched. Imaging is so good it might require the use of a mouthguard and a chinstrap. This amp glues you to your chair and quite simply will not let you get up. I was listening last night to my tuner - Oscar Peterson, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Stevie Ray Vaughan - and they were IN my living room. I could hear lips on woodwind reeds. The night before I listened to Mars Hotel by the Grateful Dead and I heard drums I have never heard before; I have owned that album since 1974. I must admit I have recently inserted a pair of Talon Hawks in my system and certainly part of what I am hearing now results from that addition; the combination is stunning. Wow. This is the best audio news I have come across; this level of quality at a price that seems ridiculously, impossibly low. I wanted to get away from the maintenance factor associated with tubes, which I have owned for many years, and this amp lets me do that. A word of warning: HALO is very clear on whom to buy their products through. They will only honor warranty claims if their products are purchased through authorized dealers. I highly recommend you avoid discount houses who are NOT authorized dealers. I was lucky to have avoided that experience, but just barely. It was a close call. I applaud the Parasound business model, their dealers and reps are first rate.

Similar Products Used:

Pass Labs, Electrocompaniet, Cary, Aronov, Plinius, Alchemist, Audio Research, Eico, Precision Fidelity, Hafler