The moving magnet input changes from 35dB to 41dB, while the moving coils gain goes up by 2dB to 54dB. Itll be fine for most people, but if youre a hardcore vinyl addict, a dedicated outboard unit such as the Rega Aria or even Cyruss Phono Signature will sound better. Thats why weve had decades of purist amplifiers that have sported little more than source selection, a volume control, and a remote if youre lucky. I used it extensively with two combinations of turntable, tonearm, and cartridge: the Technics SL1200MK2, SME M2-9, and Soundsmith Carmen; and the Acoustic Signature Wow XL, TA-1000, and Ortofon 2M Black. Around back are speaker outputs on solid multi-way posts, a pair of line-level stereo RCA inputs, and a phono input with selectable gain (the portable device-friendly front-panel mini-jack overrides one of these). Find out more about how we test. The other digital inputs are limited to 24-bit/192kHz PCM but that still covers a lot the music available today. It copes well, delivering the free-flowing bassline of Get Up Stand Up with enthusiasm. Setup and Listening Phil Jackson, Parasound's product and sales specialist, explained via e-mail: "New changes from the original Halo Integrated include a Burr-Brown, analog resistor-ladder volume control; dimmable front-panel volume display; updated uPnP USB receiver; an additional optical input (two total); ball-bearingsupported, solid-aluminum volume knob; programmable default volume setting; 'favorite volume memory' with remote-control button; increased phono-stage gain of 7dB (from 35dB to 42dB) for lower-output MM cartridges; improved left/right channel separation and balance tracking; and updated cosmetics with subtle gold highlights.". MQA is not supported. The only problem: Often, the stereo components that most enhance my experiences of devotion and identity are not those that I can sincerely declare to be the most accurate or neutral. . So when, for the March 2019 issue, I reviewed the Spendor Audio Systems A7 loudspeaker, which requires more power than my 20Wpc Shindo Laboratory Haut-Brion amp can muster, I requested a loaner. Schram has also built Parasound on the substantial legend of audio engineer John Curl, designer of such enduringly influential classics as the Vendetta Research SCP-2 phono preamplifier. The first was launched as recently as 2016, to a great reception, and its replacement, the HINT 6 (3300/$2995), is on test here. Flexible, analog-domain subwoofer filtering Here a 6.35mm jack would have been more appropriate as most headphones still ship with this size jack and the 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapters are generally lousy. Background noise levels are impressively low too. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The Hint 6 worked well with every speaker I threw at it, delivering an upfront, slightly cool, dynamic sound, LP after LP. The Parasound HINT 6 Halo Integrated Amplifier ($2995), though, is as close to a universally recommendable amplifier as I've experienced. This does allow the HINT 6 drive a wider range of speakers than it could as a pure class A device while maintaining the best sound possible along the way. Given a piece of music such as Beths Theme from Olafur Arnolds, the Parasound excels. If you have a qualifying McIntosh product, you can get a trade-up allowance between May 1st and June 30, 2023. ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. I never actually find Cage irritating, but with the Halo Integrated, this razor-sharp concerto startled me, and fastened my attention on a simple musical question: What could possibly happen next? Bypass input for surround system integration That original Halo one-box proved an extensive feature list and a great performance werent mutually exclusive, and this new one simply confirms the fact. In addition, since it has pre-amp and sub outputs with optional crossover filtering, if I ever find the integrated power amp lacking it's easy to beef it up with a sub or a dedicated power amp of my choice, in which case this unit effectively becomes a NewClassic 200 Pre. Parasound products are built in Taiwan. amzn_assoc_title = ""; This mighty Quad stand-mounted model ($999/pair) has a ribbon tweeter and I was concerned lest the focused power of the Parasound Hint 6 kick it too hard. Theres plenty of detail here and enough in the way of organisation to arrange it in a musically cohesive way. They stay locked in place regardless of volume level or musical complexity. In short, the Halo will cope with just about every music file youre likely to have. With Quad S-2s Even at very low volumes, the depth was apparent. Command Performance - Parasound JC 5 Stereo Power Amplifier 01-01-2022 | By Michael Laurance | Issue 119 Every once in a while, a piece of gear comes into the listening room that immediately makes its presence known as something special, something just a bit elevated from the other shiny boxes that make our hearts beat faster. But while the soundstage was smaller than with the other speakers, the Parasound never pushed the Quads' ribbons into dangerous territory. Parasound. Parasound Halo Integrated at Crutchfield for $2,799, High-resolution audio: everything you need to know, Best hi-fi deals CD players, amps, DACs and more, Best home theatre speaker systems 2023: budget to premium home cinema set-ups, Amazon Prime Day 2023 UK: dates and early deals for the biggest sale of the summer, Best CD players 2023: CD players for every budget, Best record players 2023: best turntables for every budget, Best floorstanding speakers 2023: budget to premium, The best home entertainment buying advice, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. The treble seemed rolled off, but the overall sound was generous, even voluptuous. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Spend the extra money on something that looks the part but also feels substantial and not something you want to lose. I hadn't played my reference speakers, DeVore Fidelity's Orangutan O/93s ($8400/pair), in a while, but when I drove them with the Parasound Halo Hint 6 I remembered how much I love them, and why I bought them many years ago. In short, just right. With Klipsch Heresy IIIs The ability to optimise performance will usually lead to a better sound. Please refresh the page and try again. An accurate device reproduces what is on the recording, which may or may not be an accurate representation of the original sound. It has a great build, many connection options, plenty of useful, non-gimmick-like features and sound that will fool you to think this is more expensive than it really is. Parasound sent me the revised version, the Halo Hint 6, with a revised list price of $2995a $500 increase. The $64,000 question for me was how the HINT 6 would handle headphones. We like the Parasounds ability to follow individual musical strands, yet still be able to tie things together coherently. Parasound not only offers all of the functions that one might find in a pre-amplifier with the HINT 6 but also an ESS DAC capable of 32-bit/384kHz decoding and a dedicated class A headphone amplifier. I agree that Parasound makes some great equipment. Your email address will not be published. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Parasound's stereo amp shows the way. The New Classic 200 pre-amplifier builds on this concept by bringing to market a $1,000 pre-amplifier with a host of unique features in a value-laden . The HINT 6 follows the originals template to the letter, boasting the same wide range of facilities. In "I Won't Dance," Ella Fitzgerald's big voice was rendered large, with the rhythm section, strings, and brass panned hard left and right. This amplifier has a beautifully judged tonal balance that sounds bang on neutral to our ears. Jarrett's close-miked foot stomps and spontaneous vocal provocations had extremely natural tone through the Halo Integrated. (Is that a gauntlet I see lying on the floor?). Parasound is an audio electronics company that has built a reputation for delivering outstanding pre-amplifiers, power amplifiers, phono pre-amplifiers, and DACS over its many years in business. Fast forward to 2022, and the company has two lines including the HALO Series that are geared towards audiophile listeners. New Internship jobs added daily. Find out more about how we test. We take it for a spin. The digital inputs are handled by an ESS 9018K2M DAC with USB offering 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256. The HINT 6 is $3,200 USD and certainly priced to compete with some lofty products from Naim, Rega, Cambridge Audio, Rotel, and even Pass Labs. Our only slight criticism is that we would have liked more space between the smaller control knobs. The NewClassic 200 Integrated is a modification of Parasounds NewClassic 200 Pre-Amp, meaning its pretty much the same unit with the addition of an amp section. The built-in phono stage can cater for both moving magnet and moving coil designs, but here too, Parasound has offered more than youd expect. New York, Truth is, I like any integrated that plays music enjoyably. The new Naim NAIT 50 Integrated Amplifier celebrates 50 years of audio engineering excellence with a nod to the past and the late-Julian Vereker. ), a subwoofer output, and optical, USB, and coaxial digital inputs. While no replacement for a good dedicated outboard unit, it preserves the pleasing qualities of the line inputs. Moving-Coil Phono Stage The aforementioned Pass Labs HPA-1 is $3,675 as a point of comparison. But there is one obvious 21st-century feature that the Parasound lacks: wireless streaming. $549.00. As such, it has a ton of advanced Pre-Amp features, which they both inherit from the high-end HALO line. Parasound calls the Halo Integrated a 2.1 channel amplifier. Things arent just geared towards digital, as is becoming increasingly fashionable the HINT 6 also caters for record players. [my emphases]. As I said in my first impressions post, I initially came across the $1195 Parasound NewClassic 200 at this years Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. The HINT 6 features a Burr Brown analogue resistor ladder, whereas the original used a conventional potentiometer. Throughout my listening for this review, the Halo Integrated played with generous measures of that afore-defined neutrality. Amazon 4th of July Sale: Audio Gear at Rock-Bottom Prices! The Hint 6 provided a level of control and nuance that the DeVore O/93s devoured. Enjoy the Music Im very glad that I did. This amp is a beast, so if you are looking for an Amp/DAC combo in the 1k range, you owe it to yourself to give it a listen! Digital conversion limited to 24/96 via USB Were pleasantly surprised by the Halo Integrated. No DSD, MQA , and the like. A fixed 80 Hz low-pass crossover on the 200 Integrated's Subs1 output made for an easy match with this setup (Subs2 is full-range). Tested at 2700 By What Hi-Fi? A hard-rock enabler? There's also a 12-volt trigger output, an IR input, and an RS-232 port to link the 200 Integrated with a whole-house system using Control4, Crestron, or other protocols. My emotional response remained undiminished. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; Parasound's performance audio components provide an immersive experience. His definition of neutral is easier. It also inherits a Burr-Brown 192kHz-24 bit DAC from the HALO line, accessible via the three digital inputs. The NewClassic 200 integrated is a 12lb and 2.5 tall chassis that contains a Burr-Brown DAC, an MM/MC phono stage, and a discrete headphone amplifier. Thanks, James :) (No commercial ads please! Also on the front panel, starting from the left, are: a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 3.5mm Aux input for a portable MP3 player or mobile phone, and Bass and Treble controls and their defeat button. This is the second iteration of the Halo Hint 6, with the original in circulation from 2014 to 2018. The Parasound HINT 6 surprised me with how smooth it could be without ever sounding dull. But for even more in the way of sonic authority, there are two options. Simply put, they offer the most performance for the money by finding the sweetest spot between price and diminishing returns. 3 rookie mistakes to avoid when buying speaker cables, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship 800 Diamond speakers get the Signature treatment, The Mission 770 story takes in the BBC, Spendor and the drive to do better, Musical Fidelity M3x DAC is the gateway to affordable high-end design, The best home entertainment buying advice, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. I kept playing discs and listening for a Parasound personalityan obvious sonic signaturebut I couldn't hear one. Theres a good degree of transparency here, and strong, well developed dynamics. 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I played three LPs on my Kuzma Stabi turntable with Stogi tonearm, running my Hana EL moving-coil cartridge into the Hint 6's MC input: Ella Fitzgerald's Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson (Verve V-4054); Noah Preminger's Some Other Time (Newvelle NV003LP); and Souvenir Part II: music for strings by Tchaikovsky and Nielsen, performed by the Trondheim Soloists (2L 2L-090C-LP). Amplifier matching is easy thanks to a dedicated rear panel control that will help to compensate for different gain levels between the two amplifier sections. We give our sample a few days of use before listening seriously, and it sounds much like the old one, which is no bad thing. Additional L and R pre-outs let you use this amp as a quality preamp if you decide to upgrade your amplification later. Its neutral and transparent sound will make any speaker you hook up to it sound amazing! The top end is crisp and has plenty of bite. My thirst for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today. The Halo's MM phono stage seemed to figuratively slow his music just enough to let me examine his improvisations from a more intimate vantage. How to choose and set up a stereo amplifier. Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Even at its higher price of $2995, the Halo Hint 6 offers good value in true Swiss Army knife fashion. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath.
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