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Newer is not always Better - Acoustat TNT-120 vs. Parasound A23

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Posted on March 30, 2015 at 06:38:13
davidbeinct
Audiophile

Posts: 182
Location: SE CT
Joined: June 20, 2014
 Had a fun and enlightening listening session with my brother yesterday.

For the last few months I've been listening less and less to my downstairs music system. It's a Mac Mini running Pure Music (iTunes for control only) through the DAC of a Parasound P-5 into a Parasound A-23 amp powering some recently refurbished Alon Model IV speakers.

I took the time this weekend to really clean up the listening area, also moving some of my wife's fabric off shelves that sit next to my listening area. I still have a hard time getting a mono image stabilized dead center, so I do use balance. Having said that, removing some of the fabric did seem to open up the soundstage a good bit. I also spent a lot of time optimizing speaker placement.

The speakers used to belong to my brother, so he was excited to come have a listen. He liked the way they sounded, but felt they didn't have the heft in the bass he was expecting. He asked me if I still had the old Acoustat TNT-120. We hooked that up, and I must say, it was a significantly better sounding amp, in this system.

More bass heft, more musical, more ability to separate dynamic elements of the music, just more!

This is a 30 plus year old amp. I am looking for an appointment with Roy Esposito, former Acoustat tech. Although the amp sounds great as is, he provides a refurbishment/update service that I think will add greatly to my enjoyment of the system.

After I get it back I believe the Parasound will be going on the market.

 

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Yeep, posted on March 30, 2015 at 06:58:30
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 I found that out with a marantz 170DC. Clear and clean sound with balls and a half to boot!

Honestly, I never found new gear to compare well against a "GOOD" vintage amp. However I do own new gear and there --ARE-- advantages to both!!!!!

I feel like this class of amp starts to fall into a sub category of the old tube vs. solid state argument.

And yes, selling that marantz 170DC was one of the big mistakes I have made in audio.

charles

charles

 

RE: Newer is not always Better - Acoustat TNT-120 vs. Parasound A23, posted on March 30, 2015 at 12:01:33
Ozzy
Audiophile

Posts: 7588
Joined: September 21, 1999
 I had a Parsound HCA 3500II briefly several years ago. I replaced it with a McCormack DNA-1. I had a gentleman drive 4 hours one way in a torrential downpour on a Sunday to buy it. I had it hooked up so he could audition it. After a few songs he handed me 8 crisp one hundred dollar bills and the deal was done. Before he left he wanted to hear the DNA-1, so I obliged. The look on his face was priceless. I fully expected him to back out of the deal, the McCormack was that much better. But being a man of his word, he left with the amp. At least one of us was happy.

Oz


Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill

 

RE: McCormack, posted on March 30, 2015 at 13:17:16
davidbeinct
Audiophile

Posts: 182
Location: SE CT
Joined: June 20, 2014
 My brother is going to bring his McCormack over later and hook it up to my (his old) speakers. I hope it's not as big a jump as the Acoustat is over the Parasound.

 

Doncha love it..., posted on March 30, 2015 at 13:47:37
rlw
Audiophile

Posts: 3347
Location: Near West Palm Bch, FL
Joined: August 29, 2006
 When you meet a man of honor? Hew liked what he heard, was satisfied with the price, and paid up. The fact that he heard better was of no consequence.

Would that more in this hobby were of the same quality. I know that once I make a deal, it is *done* - no ifs, ands, or buts. If I find something I like better, it is incumbent upon me to make the swap. But I will *never* back out of a deal once it is made - so unseemly, that...

-RW-

 

RE: Newer is not always Better - Acoustat TNT-120 vs. Parasound A23, posted on March 30, 2015 at 18:39:57
Rick58
Audiophile

Posts: 1118
Location: No. California
Joined: January 24, 2001
 I figure it might just be 'system synergy' ... given a different speaker/room the A23 may sound better ... or maybe not!

What was the 120s original price and '2015' equivalent price? may not be a good metric either tho

 

RE: McCormack, posted on March 31, 2015 at 03:56:55
Ozzy
Audiophile

Posts: 7588
Joined: September 21, 1999
 My prediction is that it will be. But we'll stay tuned to find out.

Oz



Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill

 

RE: Newer is not always Better - Acoustat TNT-120 vs. Parasound A23, posted on March 31, 2015 at 08:04:52
blgtrio
Audiophile

Posts: 115
Location: Maryland
Joined: May 17, 2007
 Within the last year I used a Classe CA-200 and a Jeff Rowland model 10 on my Acoustat 1+1 and 2+2's. Neither one of those had the balls I was looking for. They were both kinda boring in their presentation. I recently aquired two TNT 120's that were refurbished by Roy E. in Florida. They sound absolutely glorious on my 1+1 and 2+2's. Very tube like in the midrange and treble with great punch in the bass. Overall a very balanced sound. I have read several reviews where the smaller TNT 120 was preferred over its bigger brother the TNT 200. The upgrades are significant along with the much better binding posts and power cord. Having this amp upgraded allows it to perform with the best cost no object amps IMHO. I had a Sumo Andromeda, Audio Research, Krell, the Acoustat outshines them all. You will be in for a treat when you get your amp back from Roy.

 

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