A 2.1-channel audio preamplifier with DAC, MM/MC phono, balanced XLRs, analog bass management, and home theater bypass
Parasound has recently released a new 2.1-channel audio preamplifier to its high-end Halo product family. The new Parasound Halo P 5, which replaces the popular and long-lived Halo P 3 stereo preamplifier, adds a high-quality DAC (digital-to-analog converter) with coaxial, optical, and USB inputs, subwoofer outputs with analog bass management, home theater bypass, moving-coil capabilities to the phono stage, and a precision, motorized volume control.
“For 10 years, the Halo P 3 has been a mainstay of our line for value-conscious audiophiles,” said Richard Schram, the founder and president of Parasound. “However, new technologies have changed the ways audiophiles connect to and enjoy their music. So, the addition of a high quality DAC was an obvious choice for the P 5. There has also been a resurgence in turntables, so we upgraded the MM-only phono stage to also handle moving coil cartridges with a choice of load impedances. While the P 3 has outstanding two-channel sound, many audiophiles today have 2.1-channel stereo speaker systems with robust subwoofers. The P 5 actually creates a sub channel output for the 2.1 listening. The P 5 also makes it easy to integrate audiophile stereo speakers with a home theater surround system. The addition of a balanced XLR subwoofer output and variable low frequency and high frequency crossovers makes the Halo P 5 uniquely capable in these configurations.”
The Parasound Halo P 5’s state-of-the-art DAC can process a wide range of digital sources with its coaxial and optical inputs accepting up to 192 kHz rates, and the USB input accepting up to 96 kHz.
The Halo P 5 inputs include one pair of balanced XLR, phono, five RCA line-level stereo inputs and a front panel 3.5mm mini jack for portable MP3 players or smartphones. Its line outputs are balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, plus a choice of balanced or unbalanced subwoofer outputs. The main and subwoofer outputs can be run full range or placed under the careful regulation of variable frequency analog high-pass and low pass crossovers.
The phono input is compatible with all moving magnet cartridges, and virtually all moving coil cartridges, with a 100 ohm/47k ohm switch to select the appropriate load impedance matching.
The front panel has a headphone jack, controls for source selection, level, bass, treble, tone defeat, balance, and subwoofer level. There is an auxiliary input with an additional 12-dB gain stage to compensate for typically low output of portable devices. An included remote control duplicates these functions. The IC volume control of the P 3 has been replaced with a premium Alps motorized potentiometer.
In addition to upgrades to the analog audio circuitry, the P 5 features a 0.5 watt standby power consumption to meet the new Energy Star requirements. A 12-VDC trigger circuit and a IR connection and loop-out make it easy to interface with sophisticated AV systems.
Price and Availability
The Parasound Halo P 5 audio preamplifier is available now in both black and the traditional Halo silver finish for $950.
Features
- Very high quality DAC with Coax, Optical and USB inputs
- Improved sound, specifications and versatility
- Home theater bypass function for integration with a surround sound system
- Analog bass management
- Creates an independent sub channel to accompany L and R channels
- Subwoofer output with front panel level control
- RCA and XLR subwoofer outputs
- Variable high pass and low pass crossovers
- Crossovers can be switched off for full range L, R and Sub output
- Phono stage compatible with MM, MC-100 ohm, MC-47 kohm cartridges
- Front panel Aux input with additional 12dB gain stage (compensates for low output voltage of portable MP3 players and smartphones
- 65 watt power supply
- 0.5w standby power consumption meets Energy Star requirements
- Alps motorized potentiometer instead of an IC for volume control
- Available in both silver and black
- 5 RCA line level inputs
- 1 XLR balanced input (parallels Input 5 RCA jacks)
- Balanced XLR and RCA left and right outputs
- Bass & treble controls with defeat switch (Tone on-off from remote or front panel)
- Headphone jack with 10 ohm output impedance
- Rear panel IR input and loop output jacks
- 12v output trigger
- Automatic turn on with 12V trigger or AC power
- Fixed level record output
- Headphone jack automatically mutes the L, R, Sub out jacks
- Bass & treble tone controls with defeat button
- Balance control
- Remote handset includes tone on/off button
- Gold-plated RCA jacks
- Rack mounting adapter available
- Parasound 5 year parts, 5 years labor warranty (For USA purchases only)
Specifications
10 Hz – 100 kHz, +0/-3 dBTotal Harmonic Distortion
< 0.01 %
Crosstalk
> 70 dB at 20 kHz
Input Sensitivity
300 mv: 1 Volt Out
Total Gain: 10 dB
Maximum Output: 7 Volts
Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 24 kohm
Balanced: 100 kohm per leg
Output Impedance
Unbalanced: 100 ohm
Balanced: 470 ohm per leg
S/N Ratio – Line Inputs 1-5
> 108 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
> 88 dB, input shorted, unweighted
S/N Ratio – DAC Inputs
> 108 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
> 90 dB, input shorted, unweighted
S/N Ratio – Phono Inputs
MM > 80 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
MM > 70 dB, input shorted, unweighted
MC > 67 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
MC > 55 dB, input shorted, unweighted
DC Trigger Requirements
+9 Vdc to +12 Vdc, 2 mA
XLR Pin Identification
1 = Ground (Shield)
2 = Positive
3 = Negative (Return)
Dimensions
Width: 17-1/4″ (437 mm)
Depth: 13-3/4″ (350 mm)
Height, with feet: 4-1/8″ (105 mm)
Height, without feet: 3-1/2″ (89 mm)
Net Weight
14 lb. (6.3 kg)
Shipping Weight
21 lb. (9.5 kg)
Power Requirement
Standby: 0.5 Watts
Power On: 20 Watts
100-250 Volts, 50-60 Hz (Automatic)
