Both sets of outputs preserve absolute polarity ( ie, are non-inverting), with the XLR jacks wired with pin 2 hot. The unity-gain setting of the volume control for unbalanced operation was 1:00. Looking first at the P 5's behavior as a conventional line preamplifier, the maximum gain is specified as 10dB for balanced input and balanced output I measured 12.3dB for unbalanced input and output, the maximum gain was 10.6dB. Unless stated otherwise, all of my measurements were taken from the unbalanced main outputs. Not only is the P 5 a full-function preamplifier with a phono stage, tone controls, and the ability to provide the necessary high- and low-pass crossover functions to enable the use of a subwoofer it has digital inputs, including USB. If you are in the Chicagoland area you can demo the NAD or Parasound so you can hear it in your home from this store.I used Stereophile's loan sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see and the January 2008 " As We See It") to measure the Parasound Halo P 5. Another really cool thing is it has Dirac room correction. It is way better than the Parasound P6 in my opinion along with a lot of reviewers. So you can get a better USB or add BlueSound. I am not a fan of integrated with the built in DAC but NAD has upgradable cards. Unless you want to go high end on Parasound I would pass on them. Or maybe upgrade to a RME, Denifrips, or Topping for a few hundred more if you buy new. Then take the money and buy the DAC you like with the features you like. You can shave $400 off the preamp if you buy it used. To me they are that good and worth way more than $1500. Regardless of doing this I am keeping the Emotiva preamp and DAC as my secondary system. I am upgrading my system to Ayre 5 series pre, amp. 99% of the time I am using the Emotiva DAC with a Nordost Silver Shadow digital RCA/BNC cable. If I want MQA I switch the preamp to the RCA connection. I use a BlueSound Node 2i as the streamer. ![]() I don’t care because most music content is under that. This DAC does not do MQA or above 24/192. I don’t like a DAC built into in a preamp because it gets upgraded all the time unless it can be upgraded later like NAD, Mac’s and Ayre. Theses two pieces the XDA-1 or XDA-2 DAC and the XSP-1 preamp are awesome and the two together are loaded with features and fully balanced. The XDA-2 gen 2 which you can find on the used market for less than $400. But their full linear discrete preamp is really nice for less money than the Parasound. It is loaded with features but just OK in its sound. Who does that? Phono stage and load options for the cart. You can direct couple a passive sub system (swarm or dba) and really gain a lot of bass driver cone control. Period.Ī preamp with built in crossover features for the subs and mains. BUT you have step WAY UP to get a bigger bang for the buck product. Maybe some tricked out class ds or something. I can't think of anything close for the money. ![]() Their SS power amps have always been great sounding amp too. After installing and using it on its own, and in the loop, what a great preamp and a small footprint too boot. The 300.00 usd I paid for it, I would have tripled it for the convenience. It added ZERO floor noise to the system (my biggest concern). I wanted a remote control, DAC and a sub out. I ran it in the Tape loop of a C20 (Samra special). Parasound has the good sense to have tone control. I have never been disappointed with Parasound, I purchased a ZPre3 a few years back what a little jewel. Sure a nice looking full featured preamp.
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