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This is a buyer’s market for this category: US$699 is a genuine bargain for a Parasound Halo A23. It sits below the supplied 25th-percentile comparable price of US$765 and well below the US$1,200 median, making it unusually attractive if the amplifier is fully functional.
The A23 remains a highly respected, substantial-sounding Class A/AB design, offering 125 watts per channel into 8 ohms, strong current delivery, controlled bass, clear imaging, and both RCA and balanced XLR inputs. Its John Curl design pedigree and ability to handle difficult speakers give it lasting appeal. At this price, the unknown condition is the only real reservation: confirm both channels, inputs, relay behavior, and absence of hum or overheating before buying.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Parasound, an enduring American hi-fi brand, traces its roots to 1981 when Richard Schram founded it in San Francisco, California. Drawing from his experience in consumer electronics retail and engineering trips to Asia, Schram aimed to bridge the gap between exorbitantly priced high-end gear and lackluster budget options. His vision crystallized through savvy U.S. design paired with cost-effective manufacturing in Taiwan, establishing Parasound as a beacon of accessible excellence from the outset.
The brand excels in amplifiers and preamplifiers, its core stronghold, with the acclaimed Halo series embodying decades of refinement. Iconic collaborations with legendary designer John Curl—starting in 1989—elevate power amps, phono stages like the JC3+, and processors to reference-level performance. While not venturing into speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables, Parasound's focused lineup delivers uncolored, dynamic sound through innovative circuits and robust builds.
Parasound occupies a prime mid-to-high-end niche, revered for punching far above its price weight with reliability that rivals pricier boutique rivals. Audiophiles and critics praise its value-driven sonic fidelity, build quality, and longevity, fostering fierce loyalty worldwide. Even under new ownership since 2022, it remains the discerning buyer's choice for high-performance audio without prestige-driven excess.
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