I have one guitar with a passive pickup, all the rest are with factory installed electronics. I'll go on record as being just fine with the barn door units - nice to be able to adjust tone and volume right there.
I don't have a Parlor, but the Fishman pickup in my Shorty sounds good. (Same pickup) Plug and play.
For the record, I have never had a factory pickup crap out on me. I just don't get the opposition to the factory units, barn door or otherwise (I especially like the ES in my Taylors). I had an Ovation for 14 years, and the pickup was working and sounding good when I traded it.
The RainSong Parlor is a nice guitar. Good luck with the decisions.
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