This message goes out to those of you who may be seriously considering a 2350: What I didn't mention in my review is the subject of break-in. Parasound informed me that the 2350 requires around 200 hours of use before it settles into its performance envelope. This advice was backed by numerous case studies. So what did I find? Fresh out of the box, I felt like the 2350 had a very closed-in presentation that, if I had to be brutally honest, came across as a little too warm. It sounded as though Parasound tried a little too hard to cover up the native signature of the ICE modules that they use. Now, while I didn't experience the paradigm shift that other people reported during the break-in process, I noticed that the amp indeed began to come into its own somewhere between the 200-300 hour mark. The sound opened up quite a bit, the treble became more expressive, and the notable midrange bump toned down just a bit. Your experience may vary. All the same, you should put some time on the 2350 before rushing to judgement on its sound. I'd advise purchasing from a retailer that offers a very generous 30-60 day return policy.
Can you link to mentioned studies? Because it sounds ludicrous that an amplifier would need to be "broken in", not to mention it needing 200 hours to do so. It's not a leather shoe now is it?
Thanks for this review, Sean. I just ordered an Open Box Zonemaster 2350 to power my Wharfedale Lintons, which are paired with dual SVS SB3000 subwoofers. I'm looking forward to the plentitude of clean power in a form factor that won't break my back! 🤣 I do love Parasound.
Great video man! I have used Parasound products for years. In my main music system I use the Halo P5, and A23. I love the performance, and build quality. I use the Dayens integreated that you suggested in a secondary system. Love that Dayens!
Absolutely love the P5 so far, it is a solid performer! Great quality of construction, good amount of inputs (check it out on the Parasound website, the have great pictures of the front, rear panels.). I listen to a lot of bebop, and hardbop jazz, classic rock, and classical music. All sound great to me. As being compatible with the ZoneMaster 2350, you should probably send a query to Parasound. I have only experienced Halo preamplifiers, matched with Halo amplifiers. Also post a comment query to Zero Fidelity, he has helped me out quite a bit. I have found his information VERY helpful!
I have become somewhat of a Class D fan boy over the last few years, and they just keep getting better. I think the manufacturers that are getting the most out of them see that they typically use IC Op Amps on the input, and bypass them with good discrete input circuits instead.
Great review. Loving the little music interludes BTW. Nice touch. Doesn't seem like much, but it really brings it together, and makes it seem more professional. That thing's a beast! Me likey. Maybe I can pick one up used someday. It's actually a great price, but if I'm saving up that kind of money and/or selling other gear to buy an amp. It would have to have tubes. I'm actually considering doing just that. I'm thinking maybe a pair of Dynaco Mk III's. I really want a tube amp with some balls, and have always lusted after mono-blocks. The first time I was ever blown away by high end audio was with a pair of tube amps. So I've been wanting some forever. And the kit prices seem pretty fair IMO. We'll see though. My luck my car will blow up right when I'm about to get them. Or worse. Right after. Lol
Thanks man. I really do hope you have the chance to sit down in front of something like this. I love glowing glass as much as the next audiophile, but transistor amps have certainly come a long way. Especially in the day and age of so many cheaply built, and cheap sounding affordable tube amps! :D
Zero Fidelity I love, and own both, but can't listen to most SS at any reasonable volume for long, because I have hearing issues. But tubes I can listen to at a fairly loud volume for hours. I've been playing with different combinations trying to make the SS work. And I've gotten a little improvement. But I just really can't take it. So if I'm spending anymore "real" money on amps. It's going to have to be tubes. Although I really want to try class A solid state to see if it's the 2nd order harmonics thing that does it. I don't think it's going to matter though. I think it's the extended bandwidth. If there's too much bass, or treble. It bothers me. That's why I'm thinking I should stick with vintage tubes which seem to not bother me almost at all. Unless I hook my Cerwin Vega's up to them. Then that big woofer gets me too. I'm hoping a little room correction will fix that though. That's coming eventually. I'm still deciding how I want to do it though, and money's been tight. So I'm trying to prioritize correctly, and that's not really a "need". But then none of this is right? 🙄
Zero Fidelity I should add. You're absolutely correct what you say though. I would buy something like this instead. I'm not a fan of spending money on upkeep/buying tubes. And my AVA Omega Star 250EX is pretty good sounding (especially with a tube preamp), and it's over a decade old. I can only imagine what something new like this sounds like. And I love all the options. I've just come to the conclusion that I don't have enough money to keep trying to get a SS to work. When I know the tubes will fit me. Especially since I'm more into rock and roll. Which is much better on SS IMO. But hey I'm 46, and have been around loud noise, and music my whole life. I feel lucky I can still enjoy the tubes even.
Hey Scott. I totally get where you're coming from. While I'm a firm believer in trying different things, I'm also a firm believer in sticking with what you know will make you happy. Rock dem' tubes man! :)
Hey Sean, I’m waking up this old post but how would you compare the 2350 to IOTA VX stack combo? Parasound B stock seem to be similar in price to the IOTA. I want to power my Elac Uni-Fi B5. Thank you for the reviews.
I'm using my 2350 with 4 ELAC B6.2 and it makes them sing (according to the neighbors). And I have activated the High-Temp cut-out but it takes "concert levels". Would like to get a pair of Double Impacts because I think it would be a good match. POWER!
@@amazoidal Elac unifi UB5 with the 2350 was an Amazing experience. It’s made vinyl sound rich and warm. Although I’ve moved on from the 2350, it has been one of my favorites...I miss it.
I’m looking at buying this to hook up to a Arcam SA10 to Polk reserve r700 . Do you think this would be a good pairing ? Thanks so much for these stellar videos you do. I can’t get over the quality you apply to this.
I use this amp with LS50 and Aon3. It has been excellent for both. Even though it does not weight alot, its well built. My criticisms are very minor. I dont like the level controls. I wish the the sub filter was variable. Thats about it.
Hi, please suggest my setup is kef r3 and marantz 6012 avr, want to add power amp for 2.1 setup, adding parasound 2250 v2 or 2350 which power amp will sound better in my setup or will 2125 v2 will be enough?
@Zero Fidelity great job bro! but I'm looking for something for a disk top speakers like Vanatoo T1 or SWAN M200MkIII with an amp so that I can keep my disk top cleaner. thanks
Thanks & last thing was the SVS Prime 2.1 Speaker and Subwoofer System I just don't know what amp to using to make them run on a 15in Macbookpro laptop. ;-( Maybe when you have time you can make a Vidoe or not just send me a link? thank you for your help.
The challenge with the SVS 2.1 system is finding a good, yet affordable integrated amp or stereo receiver to match the set. Not only do you need something that comes with a dedicated pre-out for the sub (rare), you'll also want something that has a tone that'll compliment the speakers. The *only* solution that immediately springs to mind would be the Harman Kardon 3700 stereo receiver. Good power. Warm sound. Should match the system well.
Hey Sean what is exactly the type of music called that you have on the intro of this video? Really like it but can never find it on Tidal since I don’t exactly know the name of that type of music. Thanks
The *exact* type? I don't know. I just refer to it as... erm.. jazz. If you want to know the name of the artist(s) that are featured in this video, just expand the description box by clicking "Show more" and you'll see em'.
I am working on putting together a 2 channel setup and I am considering buying one of these amps for 2 channel setup which I plan to pair with Kef LS50 in the near future. My question is which did you like best between the Parasound model 275 V2 or this one Parasound 2350. Otherwise I may just go the reciever route between Outlaw RR 2160 orYamaha R 800. Please advise, Thanks and I really enjoy your channel.
Need some help here. Bought a ZoneMaster 650 to connect all my 8 Speakers 1 Center & 1 Sub. want to connect one or two devices (Which ever will give better sound performance ). Which other device do i need between (JC5 Power Amp & P7 Preamp) to achieve this ?
Hi, I just subscribed to your channel. I am binge-watching your videos and I appreciate your down-to-earth approach. I've been researching Class D amps lately and I'm starting to narrow my next purchasing decision down to two choices: this amp or one of the PS Audio Stellar amps. During this whole review I had the PS Audio equipment in the back of my mind. Then you mentioned it at the end! I'm curious: have you had a chance to listen to the PS Audio Stellar amps, especially the M700s? Better yet, do you plan to do a review of PS Audio equipment any time in the near future? I'm very curious about what your opinion would be in a direct comparison. Like you said, there is a notable difference in price, but (to me) it would be worth it if the PS Audio amps had notable performance differences vs. this Parasound. And there is at least one feature on the Stellar amps that is absent on this Parasound amp: balanced inputs.
I have a set of Polk Audio RTIA9`s in a 144sq/ft room. Looking at getting one more set of them. They are 500watt a piece, 8ohm. I was told a guy should run at the minimum 250watts per channel. would this amp work for 4 of these speakers?
Hey Marc. You can do that as well! :D Here's a direct copy and paste from the manual: "The Mono setting combines the Left and Right Inputs into a summed L + R mono signal and routes it to both the Left and Right channels for both the A and B speaker output terminals. In the Mono Mode the 2350 can easily drive 4 or even 8 speakers at the same time. You can connect one pair to the A Speakers Terminals and other pair to the B Speaker Terminals. All speakers will play the same Mono signal."
Zero Fidelity so you connect 2 speakers to one binding post....but why stop there then 12 16ohm lol I never heard of doing that before on a amp, we'll just because it's possible...I know parasound are a solid amp manufacturer 100% cheers
Not familiar with iotavx other than the name. 2350 parasound is beefy has alot of power. Warm. Good detail to non audiphile ears namely me. Iota prob sounds finer than parasound. Not sure only judging from reviews. Maybe iota has more finesse- listen if you can. 2350 Can sound boomy depending on recording. Running a 4312g with Yamaha rn803 as pre.
why didnt u review the product by using a reference amp from other brand or model. This way we will know more how it sound. Not asking you to compare the product with other for who is the best, but at least from the differentiate aspect. for example, u can say the vocal is much warmer than halo...or high frequncy is 10% more refine than bla bla model...u know ..this way i roughly know how is sound and help buyer to better decide ..
Most Class-D amplifiers are ridiculously power efficient, ranging anywhere from 80% - 95%. What this means is that the power it draws from the wall is delivered to the outputs with very little voltage loss - thus negating the build-up of heat - which in turn negates the need for giant heatsinks and transformers.
Sean, I have the A23 AB amp, how does the 2350 compare to it? Parasound was the beginning of getting me back into the HiFi game after a long hiatus. Great value products.
Yep. Parasound makes some great stuff for the cash. You also ask a very good question! The problem is, I cannot comment on this comparison with any kind of confidence or authority. Why? Because it's been eight or so years since I last played with the A23. For what it's worth, I read a summary from somebody who compared the 2350 to the A23. Ultimately, he felt like the 2350 was a sleeper that was, in some ways, even better than the A23. Particularly in the midrange. Alas, I can't say whether or not I agree his assessment. All I can say is that If you have a chance to experience a 2350, you should do so. Especially if you already dig on the Parasound 'sound'. :)
