Parasound has announced that its all-new 2.1-channel integrated amplifier with digital audio converter (DAC) – the Parasound Halo Integrated Amplifier is now shipping. The new integrated amplifier brings together a John Curl designed amplifier with a sophisticated analog preamplifier and DAC that covers virtually all digital formats, including the latest high-resolution DSD digital music files. The new Parasound Halo Integrated is a Class A/AB design, derived from Parasound’s own stand-along amplifiers. It provides 160-watts per channel (240-watts @ 4 ohms). Features include a home-theater bypass function, 2.1-channel analog bass management, a dedicated high-current headphone amplifier, and state-of-the-art integration technologies.
The Parasound Halo Integrated Amplifier uses the latest ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC to decode a wide range of digital music files via optical, coaxial, and USB inputs. The asynchronous USB 2.0 input supports PCM up to 384 kHz/32-bit, native DSD256 and DoP DSD bit streams. The coax and optical inputs accept PCM up to 192 kHz/24-bit.
The Parasound Halo Integrated Amplifier uses the company’s classic Class A/AB, DC-coupled topology with a J-FET input stage, MOSFET driver stage and high-current output stage with 12 rugged Sanken bipolar output transistors. With its oversized shielded toroid power transformer, 40,000 µF filter capacity and enormous heat sinks. Its adjustable low pass and high pass crossovers and front panel subwoofer level control allows for seamless subwoofer integration.
The Halo Integrated has a balanced XLR input and XLR L, R and Sub preamp outputs. There are five line-level inputs, record/fixed level output, and a low noise MM/MC phono input with three loading options. Its unique home-theater bypass input circuitry enables a surround sound receiver or processor to utilize the Halo Integrated’s power amp to drive the left and right loudspeakers during surround sound listening while its subwoofer bypass inputs make it possible for subwoofer(s) to operate with surround sound and stereo listening.
The Parasound Halo Integrated Amplifier is currently available in black or silver finish with a MSRP of: $2,495 U.S. For more information, visit: www.parasound.com
About the Author: George de Sa
