New owner of a P5, my first PS audio product. I’ve been admiring them from a distance and finally jumped in. Also admiring the new Stellar monoblocks, eagerly awaiting the word on those. Anyway for the time being I have some questions on optimizing my current setup consisting of:
Parasound A21 and A31 for my main 5 channels. A small Parasound zonemaster 450 for my ceiling speakers.
Pre/pro is. Marantz AV8802a. Sources include a Sony HAP Z1ES hi-Rez player and a Marantz ud5007 disc player.
I have the pre, 2 sources, A21 amp running thru the P5 and power draw rarely exceeds 40%. I had the A31 plugged in and it rarely went past 60% but went back to plugging it direct to the wall.
To the questions:
As far as optimal setup is my current configuration best, leaving lots of headroom? Any reason I should use the p5 only for low level gear with amps direct to the wall?
would it help or hurt to plug my cable box into the p5?
i have 4 free outlets, any detriment to use them for non-essential items, i.e. Ethernet switch, harmony hub, Apple TV etc.
last question, which power cord is ok for this unit, I’m leaning towards the AC5 because I’m concerned about the flexibility of anything thicker.
On on another note, I’m very pleased with this unit, it’s definitely taken a rough edge off and added a bit more bass control and dimensionality to the soundstage.
last question, which power cord is ok for this unit, I’m leaning towards the AC5 because I’m concerned about the flexibility of anything thicker.
There’s no real answer to that question. I suspect an AC5 would be a very good choice. My suggestion is to get the best cord that is within your budget and not worry about it too much.
The television picture may be improved by plugging the cable box in. Try it.
There is no harm in plugging other items in to the P5.
Thanks for the quick reply.
I am going to try the cable box.
As far as the amp, I assume I should only keep the main amp on the p5. I’m not concerned about SQ improvements with the others would have been more for convenience.
stevem2 saidThere's no real answer to that question. I suspect an AC5 would be a very good choice. My suggestion is to get the best cord that is within your budget and not worry about it too much.
Thanks for the welcome and response. I am currently using a large Pangea 9 gauge that's a bit stiff. Looking to put that one back on my amp.
I agree with Elk…I have both the P5 and the Parasound Halo A21 and like you my A21 the load rarely exceeds 40%…on occasion when I play music loudly (for me 85db) with strong fff
maybe 60%. All well within the P5’s capability with plenty of headroom left.
What I have found is that with my Halo A21 amp plugged into the P5 is that every aspect we
as audiophiles look for is far better than with Halo A21 plugged direct into the wall outlet alone.
I hope this helps.
DavidA
Power: PSA P5, Front ends: Oppo 105, Wyred4Sound STP SE Stage2, Emotiva XSP 1 Gen 2 (for bass and treble control) Power amp: Parasound Halo A 21. Interconnects balanced Bluejeans, Speaker wires Bluejeans Belden 10 ga biwired. Power Cables: 2 Pangea AC 9 SE MKII for amp to P5 and the other for P5 to wall, Pangea AC 14SE MKII for OPPO 105, Wyred4Sound STP SE Stage 2, Emotiva XSP 1 Gen 2, Speakers: Infinity Beta 50 (Harman, Floyd Toole CMMD design
There is great advice in this thread. I agree that plugging the amp in should yield better sound. . . that’s been my experience with every amp I’ve owned. I did play with my amp plugged directly into a PS Audio Soloist SE for a while and liked it. … but when I returned the amp to the P10 I realized that everything was better. I would plug the cable box in–I find that does improve picture and sound.
Try all the possibilities and see what sounds best. That’s what counts.