Parasound HINT 6 Halo - Audiophile Integrated Amplifier
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The HINT 6 is Parasound 's new, high performance, value-engineered, Integrated Amplifier nicknamed HINT. The HINT 6 succeeds the original Halo Integrated, an immensely popular product acclaimed by more than two dozen reviewers who enthused: “Sounds downright sumptuous”, “Uncompromising 'best sound for the dollar' value”, “Superlative and affordable”, “Its performance blew me away”.
In fact, Stereophile named the Halo Integrated a Class A Recommended Component in a field of fourteen integrated amplifiers with retail prices averaging over five times higher.
We asked ourselves “Could we develop a next generation Halo Integrated that would not only surpass the finest integrated amplifiers but also outperform higher priced separate preamps & power amps?” We began by upgrading key parts in the analog preamp circuitry to achieve exceptional sonic transparency. We redesigned its ESS-based DAC making it easier to integrate with Windows 10. In response to customer requests, we added a second optical input. We modernized the volume control, replacing its motorized potentiometer with an electronically switched, pure analog resistor ladder array, achieving ideal channel tracking even at low listening levels. Since legendary designer John Curl’s circuit topology is timeless, we carried over the Halo Integrated’s massive,160 watt, Class A/AB power amplifier stage to the HINT 6 The HINT 6 is powerful, musical and uncommonly versatile. With such exquisite performance and compelling value, the HINT 6 is the new benchmark for high-end integrated amplifiers.
New Features (Changes from the original Halo Integrated)
- Burr Brown analog resistor ladder volume control
- Dimmable front panel volume display
- Updated USB receiver is Plug and play with Windows 10 and MAC
- 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
- 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
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