Description
Parasound Halo P 6 Preamplifier,is the successor to the company’s wildly popular Halo P 5. The P 6 continues its predecessor’s legacy by fully embracing digital audio and ups the ante through an improved DAC section. Parasound has ditched the P5’s Burr Brown DAC-chip for an ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M, which means the P 6 now supports PCM audio up to 384kHz/32-bit (up from 96kHz/24-bit) and DSD up to quad rate.
While upgrades to the digital hardware are definitely welcome, the P 6 is still a preamplifier at heart, and Parasound hasn’t forgotten about that. The P 6 has received an upgraded Burr Brown analog-resistor ladder volume control system, which Parasound says eliminates mechanical contacts in the signal path, giving way to greater resolution, higher dynamic range, better channel separation, and more accurate sound overall. Parasound was able to add volume memory functionality, as well, thanks to the new volume system.
The phono preamp section has been upgraded, too, with more signal gain, which means the P 6 will play nicer with lower output cartridges. Even though the phono stage has been altered, Parasound continues support for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, with selectable 100 or 47k ohm loads.
CHOY Audio Visual
