Parasound Halo P6 2.1 Pre-Amplifier

Parasound Halo Two Channel 'Enhanced' Pre-amplifier with DAC & Phono Stage

Description

The P6 is Parasound's latest high end 'entry-level' stereo pre-amplifier for the acclaimed HALO series.

The P6 succeeds the P5 pre-amplifier that has delighted critics and owners alike with it's great range of features, performance and adaptability. So why all the buzz about this new stereo P6 preamp?

As ever with Parasound, because it sees the usual leap in standard features, sound quality and price in a preamp that is sure to surpass your expectations. So in quick order, you can see the additional features and benefits below! 

New Features (Changes from the P5):

- ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC replaces the original Burr-Brown DAC
- USB input is now capable of DSD & 384kHz/32-bit PCM (up from 96Khz/24-bit)
- Burr Brown analogue resistor ladder volume control
- Dimmable front panel volume display
- Upgraded USB receiver with "plug and play" operation with Windows 10
- An additional optical input (2 total)
- Ball bearing supported solid aluminum volume knob
- Programable default turn on volume setting
- Favourite volume memory with remote control button
- Increased phono stage gain for lower output cartridges
- Improved Left/Right channel separation and balance tracking
- Sand blasted metal end caps replace plastic end caps on the P5
- Updated cosmetics with subtle gold highlights

The new enhanced P6 ensures that you can bridge the analogue and digital divide in these ever changing and mercurial multi-format days. On the digital platform - new technologies have changed the ways audiophiles connect to and enjoy their music. So, that's why Parasound included a new high quality DAC (ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC) in the P6 to widen your software playback options. Not only does in now include support for DSD files and playback, it also has more extensive intuitive drivers and integration for the P6's USB connectivity too. Finally; to increase digital connectivity options a little further - they have also included another optical input as well.

Connectivity on the analogue front with the P6 is in abundance too with a plethora of analogue balanced and unbalanced inputs for a myriad of sources. Most importantly on the 'purest' analogue stage, as turntables are still enjoying a healthy resurgence, Parasound have responded by improving their embedded phono stage to accommodate MM & MC cartridges with a wider choice of load impedances (phono input loading - MM: 38 dB / 47 k Ω & MC: 52 dB / 47 k Ω or 100 Ω).

The beautiful remodeled front panel hosts a brand new volume control section too, featuring both a new Burr Brown analogue resistor ladder volume control coupled with a new ball bearing supported solid aluminium volume knob. In conjunction with these new improvements the volume control now has a digital display alongside programmable settings for turn on volume - or favourites. On the front of the P6 Parasound have reliably (as ever!) kept nice features such as the dedicated 3.5mm auxiliary input, along with treble and bass controls to suit your system requirements - and the front also features the useful dedicated headphone connection as well.

Additionally, the P6 has a dedicated sub-woofer channel - with 2 output jacks for dynamic 2.1 listening and seamless integration with your home cinema surround sound system. This attention to detail you see from Parasound in terms of system accomodation also sees the deployment of a balanced XLR sub-woofer output and variable low frequency and high frequency crossovers makes the Halo P6 a highly adept pre-amplifier that really punches above it's weight.

Despite the fact that the P6 has possibly some of the most extensive feature sets in terms of connectivity and system integration options, at its heart - it is a product that has been designed to perform to the highest sonic standards. It is a product of Parasound's unwavering commitment to making music simply sound better, and to get the most from any system it revolves around.

When it comes to the Parasound P6, fittinlgy one might say that their phrase 'Integrity Endures' has never been so applicable!

The Parasound Halo P6 is available in black and silver finishes - please specify on order.

Parasound Halo P6 Two Channel Pre-Amplifier - Features & Benefits:

Frequency Response:
  10 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
  20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):
  < 0.01 %
Interchannel Crosstalk:
  > 70 dB at 20 kHz
  > 78 dB at 1 kHz
Preamplifier Stage Input Sensitivity:
  300 mV in for 1 V
  Total Gain: 10 dB
  Max Output: 7.5V
S/N Ratio - Line Inputs 1- 5:
  > 108 dB (shorted, IHF A-weighted)
  > 88 dB (shorted, unweighted)
S/N Ratio - DAC Inputs:
  > 108 dB (IHF A-weighted)
  > 88 dB (unweighted)
S/N Ratio - Phono Input:
  MM > 80 dB (shorted, IHF A-weighted)
  MM > 70 dB (shorted, unweighted)
  MC > 67 dB (shorted, IHF A-weighted)
  MC > 55 dB (shorted, unweighted)
Phono Stage Sensitivity / Input Impedance:
  MM: 38 dB / 47 k Ω
  MC: 52 dB / 47 k Ω or 100 Ω
Input Impedance:
  Unbalanced: 24 k Ω
  Balanced: 100 k Ω per leg
Preamplifier Output Impedance:
  Unbalanced: 100 Ω
  Balanced: 470 Ω per leg
High & Low Pass Crossover Slope:
  12 dB per octave
Supported DAC Sampling Rates:
  USB: up to 384 kHz / 32-bit PCM
  DSD Native: DSD 64, DSD 128, DSD 256
  DSD over PCM (DoP) at 384 kHz
  Coax/Optical: up to 192 kHz / 24-bit PCM
Digital to Analog Converter:
  ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M (384 kHz / 32-bit)
USB 2.0 Controller:
  Savitech SA9227 (384 kHz / 32-bit)
Headphone Amplifier:
  Texas Instruments TPA6120A
  Output Impedance: 10 ohms
XLR Pin Identification:
  1 = Ground (Shield)
  2 = Positive
  3 = Negative (Return)
Dimensions:
  Width: 437 mm
  Depth: 381 mm
  Depth with cables: 432 mm
  Height with feet: 105 mm
  Height without feet: 89 mm, 2U
Net Weight: 6.3 kg
Shipping Weight: 9.5 kg
Power Requirement:
  Standby: 0.5 watts
  Power On: 15 watts
  100-250 VAC 50/60 Hz (automatic) 10 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
  20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB