HALO P6 Preamp
Your System, Dialed‑In
Drop the Halo P6 into your rack and everything snaps into focus. Voices feel present, bass blends cleanly with your sub, and streaming loses the edge that keeps you from turning it up. Vinyl clicks. Long sessions get easier, and every source just sounds more like music.
Designed as a true 2.1‑channel control center, the P6 adds the pieces most systems are missing: an ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC (ES9018K2M) with USB up to 384 kHz/32‑bit and native DSD64/128/256, coax/optical 192/24, fully analog bass management with independent high‑pass/low‑pass crossovers and front‑panel sub level, MM/MC/MI phono (100 Ω or 47 kΩ), balanced XLR input, balanced & RCA pre‑outs, plus XLR + dual RCA sub outs. It also uses a resistor‑ladder volume control for fine, low‑noise steps, includes a high‑current TI TPA6120 headphone amp, and offers Home Theater Bypass for seamless 2‑channel + surround integration.
Praised by audiophiles and reviewers alike:
- “The P 6 is a wonderful listen.” — Positive Feedback.
- “The Halo P 6 preamplifier can do it all when it comes to a preamp.” — Future Audiophile.
- “…the P 6 is a no‑brainer for anyone shopping for a digitally enabled preamplifier close to its asking price.” — Home Theater Review.
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
- 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
Future Audiophile January 2023
"The Halo P6 represents an unparalleled value because it would be nearly impossible to buy separate components that perform as well as each of its built-in features for less than perhaps double that of its selling price. This is appealing for any audiophile on a budget, for anyone assuming a secondary system as well as those looking to downsize a system without compromising performance or any key features"
PARTTIME AUDIOPHILE BEST AMPLIFIERS, SUMMER 2022 GUIDE—
Parasound Halo P 6 2.1 Channel Preamplifier and DAC
"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."