Click for P 6 CutsheetP 6 2.1 Channel Preamplifier & DAC
Halo
P 6
New Features (Changes from the P 5)
- 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 analog 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
- Favorite 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 P 5
- Updated cosmetics with subtle gold highlights
Preamp and DAC Features
- ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC (ES9018K2M)
- Asynchronous USB 2.0 supports PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit
- USB input decodes Native DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DoP DSD
- Coax and optical inputs accept PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit
- Analog bass management with high & low pass crossovers
- Home theater bypass input for surround sound integration
- Front panel subwoofer level control
- Dedicated high current headphone amplifier (TI TPA6120)
- Phono input for MM, MC and MI with 100 Ω or 47k Ω load
- Front panel Aux input with automatic +12 dB gain stage
- 5 pairs RCA line level Analog inputs
- 1 pair XLR balanced Analog input
- Balanced XLR and RCA left and right preamp outputs
- 1 balanced XLR and 2 RCA subwoofer outputs
- Bass & treble controls with relay bypass from remote or front panel
- Rear panel IR input and IR loop output jacks
- 12 Volt trigger output
- Back-lit remote control with discrete buttons
- 0.5w standby power consumption meets Energy Star & EU specs
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: 17-1/4" (437 mm)
Depth: 15" (381 mm)
Depth, with cables 17" (432 mm)
Height, with feet: 4-1/8" (105 mm)
Height, without feet: 3-1/2" (89 mm), 2U
Net Weight
14 lb. (6.3 kg)
Shipping Weight
21 lb. (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
PARTTIME AUDIOPHILE BEST AMPLIFIERS, SUMMER 2022 GUIDE—
Parasound Halo P 6 2.1 Channel Preamplifier and DAC ($1599 USD)
"Despite a tendency to sound slightly dry with different sources, the Parasound P 6 contains so many features for the money that it becomes possibly to ignore. It contains a DAC and a surprisingly enjoyable MM/MC phono stage and a plethora of subwoofer hook-up options that explain why this is a "2.1 Channel" preamp. "If you want honesty and accuracy with a big dollop of flexibility, then definitely take a listen.""
Audio Pursuit June 2021
"I can't tell you how many receivers I rejected for purchase in my youthful days because I could hear the tuner, tape, phono, cd, leaking thru to the selected source. The Parasound Halo P6 is absent this evil via all sources."
LowBeats (Germany) November 2020
"the Parasound P 6 and Parasound A 23+ play together in a pleasingly balanced and precise manner, while still musical with tonality that tends toward warmth. The consistently very supple reproduction and simultaneously true-to-size presentation and pin-point positioning of individual instruments and voices is amazing. Yes, this is how HiFi is fun."
» English Translation PDF
Home Theater Review.com March 2020
"The P 6's sonic performance punches well above its price point. With its ability to render tremendous amounts of detail, excellent build quality, impressive DAC and bass management, the P 6 is a no-brainer for anyone shopping for a digitally enabled preamplifier."
ON-OFF (Spain) September, 2019
"One strength is its capability to reproduce a wide sonic palette, with depth and plenty of micro information. Parasound's power amp is able to bring out the best bass from speakers. Different kinds of music made us appreciate the unusual character of this amplification. Outstanding!"
Stereo+ (Norway) January 2019
"Together, the Parasound P 6 and A 23+ are dynamite. Pure sonic magic with brilliant dynamics, delicious midrange and impressive resolution. To get such good sound for the price of this duo seems almost unnatural. One incredibly appealing preamp-amplifier package from Parasound."
