Review on FutureAudiophile.com
Features Changes from the original A 21→A 21+
― 250 → 300 Watts (8Ω)
― 400 → 500 Watts (4Ω)
― 750 → 1000 Watts (bridged)
― Filter cap: 88,000 uF → 108,000 uF
― S/N: 112dB → 115 dB
― THD (at full power): 0.2% → 0.1%
― Crosstalk (20kHz): 63dB → 70dB
― Transformer size: 1.2 kVA → 1.3 kVA
― Weight: 60 LB → 71 LB
― Refined Halo cosmetic with aluminum end caps & gold highlights
― Updated rear panel with heavy duty speaker terminals from JC 5
―Upgraded internal gold on gold audio connections
― Updated auto turn on circuit
All Features
― 300 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω RMS, both channels driven
― 500 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω RMS, both channels driven
― 1000 watts x 1 @ 8 Ω, in bridged mode
― Circuitry designed by legendary John Curl
― High bias Class A/AB operation
― 60 amperes peak current per channel
― Stable with speaker impedance dips to 1.5 Ω
― Balanced inputs with discrete circuits
― CHK Infinium, custom 5-way speaker binding posts
― Gold-plated RCA input & loop output jacks
― Direct-coupled signal path, no capacitors or inductors
― DC Servo and relay protection circuits
― AC turn-on inrush surge protection with relay bypass
― JFET input stage, MOSFET driver stage
― 16 beta-matched 15 ampere, 60 MHz bipolar output transistors
― 1.3 kVA shielded toroid transformer w/ independent windings for each channel
― Independent power supplies for input stage, driver stage and output stage
― 108,000 µF filter capacitors for output stages
― Full power is rated all the way down to 5Hz for unrestricted low-end bass
― Harris hyper-fast soft-recovery bridge diode rectifiers
― Automatic turn-on by 12 V trigger or audio sensing
― 4 rack space chassis with rear carry handles
― Rack mount hardware is included
Parasound A 21+ 2-Channel Amplifier
Tech Specs
Power Output – Stereo Mode (0.1% THD)
300 watts x 2, 8 Ω both channels driven
500 watts x 2, 4 Ω both channels driven
Power Output – Bridged Mode (0.1% THD)
1000 watts x 1, 8 Ω
Bridged 4 Ω operation is not recommended
Power measurement are at 120 VAC:
0.1% THD, RMS continuous power,
full audio band (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Current Capacity
60 amps peak, per channel
Slew Rate
> 130 volts per microsecond
Frequency Response
5 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.25 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
< 0.1 % at full power
< 0.03 % at typical listening levels
IM Distortion
< 0.04 %
TIM
Unmeasurable
Inter-channel Crosstalk
> 80 dB at 1 kHz
> 70 dB at 20 kHz
Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 33 kΩ
Balanced: 66 kΩ,(33 kΩ per leg)
Total Gain
29 dB
Input Sensitivity for 28.28 V Output into 8 Ω
Unbalanced: 1 V
Balanced: 1 V per leg
S/N Ratio
> 115 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
> 110 dB, input shorted, unweighted
Damping Factor
> 1100 at 20 Hz
DC Trigger Requirements
+9 Vdc to +12 Vdc, 5 mA
Audio Trigger Requirements
2 mV - 10 mV
XLR Pin Identification
1 = Ground (Shield)
2 = Positive
3 = Negative (Return)
Dimensions
Width: 17-5/8" (448 mm)
Height without feet: 7-1/8" (181 mm)
Height with feet: 7-3/4" " (197 mm)
Depth: 20" (508 mm)
Depth with cables: 21-1/2" (546 mm)
Net Weight
71 lb. (32.2 kg)
Shipping Weight
88 lb. (39.9 kg)
Power Requirement
Standby: 1 Watt
Idle (no music playing): 160 Watts
Typical Listening levels: 300 Watts
Maximum: 1400 Watts
