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 optica 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

Power Amp Features

• 160 Watts x 2 @ 8 Ohms (RMS, both channels driven)
• 240 Watts x 2 @ 4 Ohms (RMS, both channels driven)
• Power amp circuit topology designed by legendary John Curl
• Direct amplifier input to bypass preamp section
• High bias class A/AB operation
• Oversized shielded toroid power transformer
• Dual-mono power supply and power amplifier
• 40,000uF power supply filter capacitance
• Matched JFET input stages and MOSFET driver stages
• 12 high voltage/high current bipolar output transistors
• Heavy-duty 24k gold-plated 5-way speaker binding posts
• Over temp and short circuit relay protection

Power Output - (0.9% THD)
(Both channels driven, 20 Hz - 20 kHz)
180 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω RMS
270 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω RMS

Power Output - (0.05% THD)
(Both channels driven, Thank 20 Hz - 20 kHz)
160 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω RMS
240 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω RMS

Current Capacity
45 amps peak per channel

Frequency Response
10 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
< 0.01 %, average listening levels
< 0.05 %, 160 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω

Interchannel Crosstalk
> 70 dB at 20 kHz
> 78 dB at 1 kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio - IHF A-weighted
Line in: - 103 dB (input shorted)
Digital in: - 106 dB

Amplifier Damping Factor
> 800 at 20 Hz

Preamplifier Stage Input Sensitivity
300 mV in for 1 V at Preamp Output jacks
Total Preamp Stage Gain: 10 dB
Max Output Unbalanced: 7 V
Max Output Balanced: 9 V

Power Amplifier Stage Sensitivity
1 V at Bypass/Amp In for 28 V at Speaker Out
Total Amp Stage Gain: 28 dB

Phono Stage Sensitivity / Input Impedance
MM: 41 dB / 47 k Ω
MC: 54 dB / 47 k Ω or 100 Ω

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)

Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 24 k Ω
Balanced: 100 k Ω per leg

Preamplifer Output Impedance
Unbalanced: 100 Ω
Balanced: 470 Ω per leg

Dimensions
Width: 17-1/4" (437 mm)
Depth: 16-1/4" (413 mm)
Depth, with cables 17-1/4" (437 mm)
Height, with feet: 5-7/8" (150 mm)
Height, without feet: 5-1/4" (133 mm), 3U

Net Weight
33 lb. (15 kg)

Shipping Weight
45 lb. (20.4 kg)

Power Requirement
Standby: 0.5 watts
Idling power: 70 watts
Maximum: 750 watts
110-125 VAC 60 Hz or 220-250 VAC 50 Hz
AC mains voltage is set on rear panel

Ecoustics July 2022
"When you consider how much it offers for $3,200 and how good it sounds — this is one of the best bargains right now in the high-end amplifier category. Parasound definitely delivers on its promise of sound quality and value for the money."

Fidelity-Online, Germany November 2019
"The lady of the house enters the scene, listens briefly and comments briefly and finally 'Sounds like a concert, it can stay!' You have to search for an amplifier that plays so completely and correctly for this price with the proverbial magnifying glass."

The Audiophile Audition October, 2019
"Massively Built! Buffed Out! You get a lot for your $$$$. What would you expect from Parasound? John Curl is a world-renowned electronics designer. The best bang for the buck for the music-minded customer."

The Audio Beatnik August 2019
"You'll be hard pressed to find another integrated amplifier at this price that can match the HINT 6's impressive list of features, power, and smooth and engaging sound."

Positive Feedback June 2019
"San Francisco-based Parasound continues to recalibrate accepted price-vs-performance expectations in the high end. The HINT 6 consistently reproduced all manner of music with remarkable confidence, consistency, and grace. Pairing the HINT 6 to my beloved Maggie 1.7i panels proved downright revelatory."

Stereophile May 2019
"The HINT 6 worked well with every speaker I threw at it. Absolutely breathtaking...exhilarating. I can't think of another integrated amplifier that offers so many options and has such solid, generous sound. Recommended."

Stereophile February 2019
"...brilliantly detailed Parasound."

What HiFi (UK) December 2018
"This is a confident and enthusiastic amplifier that's just fun to listen to."

HINT6 Manual

HINT6/P6 IR Hex Codes