Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    1,387

    Default Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

    Thinking of buying either the Parasound A23 or one of the Monoprice Monolith amps to drive front left and right Sierra 2's as a replacement for the Emotiva UPA2 I am currently using.

    About 80/20 music / movies.

    Any one hear both of these (or one or the other) and have any inputs?

    Thanks,

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, California
    Posts
    7,027

    Default Re: Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

    I have an older ATI, and think it’s great. I would not hesitate to try the Monolith.

    The again, the Halo has a great reputation.

    Ha...that doesn’t really help you.
    -curtis

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    1,387

    Default Re: Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

    Thanks, Curtis. I am leaning towards the Monolith...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    1,387

    Default Re: Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

    Well, I decided to add a tube amp for my front Left and Right Sierra 2's as I am primarily music... have a Rogue Atlas Magnum II on the way

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

    Interesting choice. Would like to hear your impressions when you have a chance to try it out .

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    1,387

    Default Re: Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

    Quote Originally Posted by SteveM View Post
    Interesting choice. Would like to hear your impressions when you have a chance to try it out .
    Will do. Supposed to arrive Friday.

    Reviews were very positive. I had considered also either a Stereo 90 or Stereo 100 (higher up the line), but wife (and I) preferred look of the Atlas. The Atlas also looks to be a bit less work for checking/adjusting tube bias (don't need to remove cover) when needed.

    My phono preamp is also tube design (Manley Chinook).
    Last edited by racrawford65; 01-14-2019 at 03:05 AM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    SouthWest of Cleveland
    Posts
    1,924

    Default Re: Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

    Quote Originally Posted by racrawford65 View Post
    Will do. Supposed to arrive Friday.

    Reviews were very positive. I had considered also either a Stereo 90 or Stereo 100 (higher up the line), but wife (and I) preferred look of the Atlas. The Atlas also looks to be a bit less work for checking/adjusting tube bias (don't need to remove cover) when needed.

    My phono preamp is also tube design (Manley Chinook).
    I would love to hear your impressions of that amp as well. I thought about that one but it's still a bit lofty for my budget.

    As for the original poster's question regarding the Halo A23, FYI..... you should be able to find a great deal on one since Parasound just released the replacement amp.
    Ed

    * Sierra-2EX's W/V2 crossover upgrade
    * (2) Rythmik F12's
    * Parasound Halo P6
    * Audio by Van Alstine DVA-M225 Monoblock Amps
    * MiniDSP 2x4HD For Sub calibration
    *World's Best Cables Canare 4S11 speaker cables

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    1,387

    Default Re: Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

    I was the original poster and almost pulled the trigger on the A23 a month or so ago as they were discounted to 799 at Audio Advisor due to the new model coming out. Went tubes instead as posted above.

    The Atlas arrived and now in my system. I did find a used one so that saved me some $. The two dealers I contacted for new didn't offer much of a discount.

    Now on to my initial impressions.

    It's definitely a big step up from the Emotiva UPA2 I was using before. Very well balanced sonically. I think the UPA2 was a bit brighter compared to the Rogue. I hear more definition/separation of different instruments with the Rogue, and the bass seems much tighter. All in all, the Sierra 2's are singing with the Rogue.


    If you need an integrated amp, the Cronus Magnum II incorporates the preamp into the Atlas Magnum. Several for sale on either usaudiomart or audigon. Not sure if it is still available, but one was from a dealer (Demo unit) with full warranty. There are also a couple of Stereo 90's available...I also considered this (as it is higher up the Rogue line), but wife preferred look of the Atlas. I did, as well, and felt the Atlas would be easier to check/adjust bias than the Stereo 90 (need to remove the top)
    Last edited by racrawford65; 01-20-2019 at 12:50 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Parasound (A23) or Monoprice Monolith (made by ATI)

    Nice review! I hadn't come across anyone pairing the Sierra 2s with a tube amp (though I'm sure many do). Sounds inviting.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •