This is my preferred connection when using a computer as a source due to Toslink's inherent galvanic isolation. That being said, the preamp stage in the Directstream is not in the same league as the Ayre or PS Audio BHK. In particular, the track "Lordy May" by Boy & Bear caught my attention. I have several friends who have bought them, and they ALL are in love with the way they sound. See below for information on the amazing JC 2. It should be noted that if you choose to use any of the SPDIF input options, you'll be limited to PCM audio only, up to 192kHz/24-bit. Description. Have the original box, manual, power cable. Likely system: JC5 amp, JC2 pre, Innuous MKIII SSD Zenith server, Chord Quetest DAC, Nordost (Norse 2 or Leif) wires, Tekton Double Impact speakers. On the other hand, the P5 is no slouch if you needed a DAC, digital inputs and the convenience of separate sub handling plus home theater bypass (which of course is also available for an additional $500 to add it to the JC2, or by getting the JC2 BP… I have yet to hear a DAC that has a built in line stage that can compete with an excellent separate. The Parasound Halo JC 2 is a "semi-mass-produced" preamp that has the sound of small-production run "boutique" gear. AMP: The First Watt J2 amp may not be my cup of tea; and I was definitely not going to do a tube amp. Obviously, there are a lot of pieces to consider; but I'l focus on the amp/pre-amp selection. PRE: I'm interested in the BHK Pre-amp. Buying a different Amp, so selling this Parasound 5250 v2.0 one. The chord DAC is wonderful for what it is. B-Stock gives audiophile enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase Parasound products at a discounted price. ... Parasound JC BP 2 Channel Stereo Preamplifier. One of the sets of unbalanced RCA outputs is a basic line level output meant to feed a recording device, while the other is meant to feed your amplifier and is fully affected by all of the analog EQ, balance, tone, and volume controls found on the front of the unit. The phono preamp section has been upgraded, too, with more signal gain, which means the P 6 will play nicer with lower output cartridges. Similarly, on the electronically produced track "Points Beyond" by Cubicolor, it was easy to make out all the subtle layers of the melody. They are really amazing, and wonderful to listen to. Going-in I thought I'd be buying a McIntosh M452; but after hearing the "romantic" or "very warm" house sound of that brand, I'm not sure. The 2.1 Parasound Halo P6 Preamplifier and DAC is available in a choice of silver or black finishes for a MSRP of $1,495. The P 6 continues its predecessor's legacy by fully embracing digital audio and ups the ante through an improved DAC section.... KONKA Announces Three New Android TV Series for 2021 Lineup. Parasound A31 Three Channel Power Amplifier Parasound Introduces An Improved Version Of Its Halo JC 3 Parasound Halo P 6 Preamplifier & DAC Reviewed Parasound Halo C 2 Surround Processor … Parasound was able to add volume memory functionality, as well, thanks to the new volume system. Part of me wants to stay pure 2 channel and save for the PW dac and the JC2 pre to go with the JC1's. … The P 6 continues that trend, offering a level of performance not typically found in the neighborhood of $1,600. One other unsolicited though. Obviously, there are a lot of pieces to consider; but I'l focus on the amp/pre-amp selection. Additional Resources• Visit the Parsound website for additional information.• Parasound Halo A 21+ Stereo Amplifier Reviewed at HomeTheaterReview.com.• Parasound Announces HINT 6 Integrated Amplifier at HomeTheaterReview.com. Certain areas of performance stood out, though, especially considering the P 6's price. Move around back and you'll find a plethora of analog input options, including a single set of XLRs, five sets of unbalanced line level RCAs, and a pair of RCAs to connect your turntable. Also, frustrating, I like both parasound and McIntosh in their own way, but they couldn't be much farther apart. I'm new after a 40-year break from hi-fi in the 70s. If you choose this route, make sure you disable the high pass filter toggle switch, otherwise you'll end up cutting off bass frequencies from reaching your subwoofers. Utilizing both the analog high and low pass filters make it easy to seamlessly integrate a pair of subwoofers in with your main channels. Speaking of subwoofers, looking at the options available, I think it's fair to say that Parasound really wants people to add at least one to their two-channel systems. I traded for it for a pair of speakers I didn't like and it blew my stereophile A+ rated Marantz Reference NA 11s1 out of the water. Parasound's Halo P 6 preamplifier, priced at $1,595, 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 … For now, people will still need a source component if they want to listen to network audio through the P 6. Unsurprisingly, I found that this yielded excellent results all around. While most of my critical listening tests were done using the optical input, I know not everyone will be using that. Parasound does it again, surpassing all expectations with its brand new Parasound P 6. It's supposed to be a decent upgrade from the P5, not to mention it uses that 128 stepped resistor volume control. Other components in my system include Parasound's Halo A 21+ amplifier (which I still had here after its review), my personal Nelson Pass designed VFET amplifier, a PS Audio Stellar Power Plant 3, a pair of Monitor Audio Platinum PL100 II loudspeakers, and a pair of Bowers & Wilkins PV1D subwoofers. In typical Parasound fashion, I found the P 6's sonic performance punches well above its price point, with it offering good subjective dynamic range, stereo separation, imaging, and soundstage depth. All cabling using Clear Day cables. However, looking at the BHK amp (250 WPC etc), I'm rethinking this. Another part wants to spend money on a pair of subs, easily integrated using the P5's … Two pairs of unbalanced RCA jacks are included for dedicated home theater bypass input. These are great suggestions! Parasound's Halo P 6 preamplifier, priced at $1,595, is the successor to the company's wildly popular Halo P 5. Parasound Halo, ZoneMaster, Z Custom, and NewClassic are four distinct product families. If you plan to stick with your old speakers, then you must hook up the amplifier in question TO YOUR SPEAKERS!!! I picked up the BHK used and it is definitely a step up vs. the Ayre but I think the Ayre is 95% as good and is currenlty half the price. $297.00 $ 297. The other one I really like is the PS Audio BHK preamp. Though, to give credit where it's due, pairing the P 6 with the A 21+ did offer better bass handling and dynamics overall. It is slightly warm but full sounding pre that doesn't fit the mold of typical Ayre preamps which are a bit forward. It is being phased out by Ayre but is an amazing unit. Parasound Halo P 6 Preamplifier & DAC Reviewed. My personal taste in sound signatures is for audio products to add in a bit of warmth to the sound. Item: Parasound JC2 Bypass Location: Port Macquarie NSW Price: $3800, $3150 Item Condition: Used mint condition Reason for selling: It is Silver, the rest of my equipment is black … I've found that competing hardware can overemphasize the top end, often giving you the impression that you're hearing more detail than what's actually in the source. Australian Hi-Fi, June 2015 "Parasound is one of the very few companies in the world that has a reputation for state-of­-the-­art sound quality and engineering as well as a reputation for delivering … Parasound has a great rep and is as you say "old school". But, it's not just the amount of detail the P 6 can render that I find appealing; it's also how it presents that information. This track starts off with strong and resounding bass drum notes. Even more impressive, the C 658 adds in Dirac Live room correction support, which can fix potential problems with speaker placement and problems caused by the room itself. But I've found that once you take these types of audio products home, the honeymoon phase fades quickly as it often leads to listener fatigue. The P6 is Parasound's latest high end 'entry-level' stereo pre-amplifier for the acclaimed HALO series. Parasound's Halo P 6 preamplifier, priced at $1,595, is the successor to the company's wildly popular Halo P 5. This advanced 2.1 channel preamplifier has been … Choosing this route also means that all bass management needs to happen through the subwoofers themselves. Through the P 6, they were rendered cleanly, with a satisfyingly holographic tone. Again, these types of small details can sound glossed over from competing products in the P 6's price range. Halo is our premier line with a reputation for going head-to-head with the most expensive equipment on the … I also chose to pair the P 6 with Parasound's A 21+ amplifier for most of my listening tests. 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. After hearing different systems, I think my palate tends toward toward neutral to slightly warm. It only works with a small number of speakers but those Tektons are one of them. Your support is greatly appreciated! Taken at face value, especially in quick demonstrations on a dealer's showroom, it can give you the subjective impression an audio product is higher performing than the competition. Playing genres of music that require good bass performance to accurately portray the music, such as Electronic Dance, I found that the P 6 didn't disappoint. And also frustrating--I can get a virtually new demo model for $5500 ($3000 off) which is actually a lower price than the JC5. DAC: The DAC you suggested sounds wonderful, but will have to come later in the game. The stock tubes I think would go really well with the First Watt J2. Of note, the P 6 has the ability to render tremendous amounts of detail. I have been suggested the following preamps in the order of preference by my dealer: 1. This is especially so when the P 6 has such a competent DAC section already built into the preamp. For a pre, you can get a strong deal on an Ayre K-5xeMP at SuperPhonica for $2995. I find a little warmth gives the music body and soul, and it's in this area where the P 6 left me a bit disappointed, or at least it did when compared to my PS Audio DirectStream DAC and Nelson Pass-designed VFET amplifier reference setup. ConclusionAs I noted earlier in this review, Parasound has a history of offering products that punch well above their respective price points. For those who sit far away, Parasound has included a handy digital display that will tell you the current volume level set. It grabbed my attention when I was finishing … ALL B-stock items are all professionally inspected by Parasound technicians and, most importantly, ALL B-Stock products contain the exact same FULL Parasound … (Best I could find was a JC5 paired with a P6… Additionally, you'll find dedicated controls for power, mute, tone, input selection, display dimmer, and (of course) volume level. According to Parasound, the headphone amp circuit was designed with a low 10 ohms output impedance and high gain to drive headphones rated up to 600 ohms. Submit a ReviewContact Editorial Policy About us, Privacy Policy CCPA / GDPR Affiliate policy, Jason McGuire - Blue Coast Special Event 17 BAAS - 07 - Romance (Take1), Cubicolor - Points Beyond (Official Lyric Video). 00 $349.00 $349.00. What I highly recommend is the Musical Fidelity M5 or M6 integrated amplifiers, which sound as good as separates costing several times as much. Individual instruments, along with the vocals, were portrayed in stark contrast from one another, making them easy to pick out and hear individually. 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. These changes match those found on Parasound's newest amplifiers. I also spent some time pairing the P 6 with a Panasonic DP-UB9000 as an analog source component. Detail and soundstage are in a completely different league and is one of the best units you will find short of Esoteric or dCS. With the P 6, however, I found I could listen to it for long hours into the night, never feeling like I had to lower the volume or take a break from listening. With that said, for most of my listening, I fed the P 6 digital audio from my desktop computer to one of its optical inputs. The eponymous track on the album Babel by Mumford & Sons has several guitars, string, and percussion instruments, as well as vocals all happening at once during the chorus. What I have been looking at so far is the new Parasound Halo P6. I can't find a dealer nearby so that I can listen to that pairing yet. The Chord for now. Does anyone have a parasound JC5 amp paired with a JC2 BP pre-amp? Designed for Serious Two-Channel Music Listening. Similar to the P 6's excellent detail retrieval, I found it excelled with music that has a lot of layers that need to be presented at once. How does it sound? Performance Even though the P 6 can be configured and used in various ways, I spent most of my time using it as a combined DAC and preamplifier, the way I suspect most people will. After all, this is marketed as a 2.1 channel preamplifier, so the P 6 adds in two dedicated unbalanced RCA subwoofer outputs and basic bass management through the use of an optional low pass filter enabled via toggle switch. For digital inputs, the P 6 features a pair of SPDIF optical inputs, coaxial SPDIF input, as well as a USB input. For instance, I found that the bass line on the track "October" by Icarus was satisfyingly resolved, forcing me to dance along in my seat. slightly warm? That's to be expected when pairing the P 6 with a source component nearly two-thirds its price. I do realize the relative limitations of using this input option, though, so to test DSD functionality, I did connect via USB for a short period of time. Parasound 5250 v2.0. Truly spectacular line stages that both deserved the A rating Stereophile gave/gives them. Yes, the Parasound could do space. The P 6 and A 21+ combination, by comparison, left me feeling as if the sound was a bit too flat overall. The front faceplate features a set of passive EQ control knobs to adjust treble, bass, and balance, as well as a ±10dB gain adjustment for the preamp's dedicated subwoofer outputs. Their … I want to avoid a cold sound. Parasound has removed the iconic red "P" logo and has replaced it with simple gold Parasound text inlaid in a matte black indent on the faceplate. The Bypass function does require the JC 2 BP to be powered on, since the bypass circuit is active. Many home theater buyers are fond of the stereo systems that … It's in flawless, excellent condition, no scratch, fully functional. For analog outputs, the P 6 includes a single set of XLRs for left and right channels, a single XLR output dedicated for connecting a subwoofer, as well as two sets of unbalanced RCAs. Details are presented in a particularly smooth and natural way, which seems to be a trait inherent to all Parasound products, or at least all of the Parasound products I've heard. The HookupThe P 6 has an extensive set of input and output options. Thoughts? Parasound … The JC 2 BP … You do have the ability to dim the LED lights on the front of the unit, but no option to turn off the display completely. FREE Shipping by Amazon. This maelstrom of sound can be difficult to render coherently, but the P 6 didn't seem to have any issues with it at all. Replacing its 5-year-old P5 preamplifier, the new $1,495 Parasound Halo P6 … You'll automatically be entered in the HTR Sweepstakes, and get the hottest audio deals directly in your inbox. Another … Alternatively, you could look into NAD's C 658 BluOS Streaming DAC. Rolling in a pair of Tunsgrams will add a touch of warmth and they aren't all that expensive. The former tried and true, untouchable value and staple of their product line, the A21, had set the bar for value vs. … Does the JC5 with a JC2 sound "neutral"? I noticed no major differences in performance when playing several of the test tracks I used when testing the optical input. Those shopping for a digitally enabled preamplifier near the P 6's price point will find quite a bit of competition to consider. When Parasound designed the highly acclaimed JC 2, the company underestimated how many enthusiasts would want to use the JC 2 in a blended stereo-surround system. Adding in a network audio renderer with support for Spotify Connect, UPnP, and Roon would have set this preamp apart from much of the competition in this price segment. 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Because of this, I doubt many will run into setup issues, at least not many caused by the P 6. (Still have JBL L100s though). Beware of trying to make comparisons using different speakers; you will not get any meaningful results. Home theater bypass enables seamless blending into a digital surround system Home theater bypass functions with both unbalanced & balanced inputs and outputs Home theater bypass function can be … It's priced a hundred dollars more at $1,699, but, like Parasound, PS Audio is a company known for offering exceptional value with the products it offers, so it's worth looking into. The DownsideWith most audio products these days putting such emphasis on network audio capabilities, I really think Parasound missed an opportunity with the P 6. So, that is helpful. 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. 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