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Selling my Parasound Halo P5 preamplifier. I purchased it from the original owner in 2017 and since then it has only received light usage in my smoke-free home. The unit is in excellent cosmetic and working condition and was recently given a clean bill of health by a local technician. I wish I could keep it but I am moving houses and need to downsize.Key FeaturesBuilt-in DAC: Includes USB (up to 24-bit/96kHz), optical, and coaxial digital inputs (up to 24-bit/192kHz) to connect directly to digital sources.Subwoofer Crossover: Features high-pass (main speakers) and low-pass (subwoofer) crossovers. It allows for seamless blending in a 2.1 system, complete with a front-panel subwoofer level control.Phono Stage: Supports Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges, offering selectable load impedance for fine-tuning vinyl playback.Home Theater Bypass: Allows seamless integration into a surround sound system. Incoming left, right, and sub channels bypass the P 5's internal circuits entirely, letting you use your high-end stereo amp and subwoofers for both movies and music.Connectivity: Includes balanced XLR inputs/outputs, five analog inputs, and a front-panel auxiliary input for portable devices.SpecificationsFrequency Response: 10 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dBTotal Harmonic Distortion: < 0.01 %Crosstalk: > 70 dB at 20 kHzS/N Ratio (IHF A-weighted):Line Inputs 1-5: > 108 dBDAC Inputs: > 108 dBMM: > 80 dBMC: > 67 dBPhono Stage Sensitivity / Input ImpedanceMM: 35 dB / 47 k ΩMC: 52 dB / 47 k Ω or 100 ΩHi/Low pass crossover slope: 12dB / OctPower Requirement:Standby: 0.5 WattsPower On: 20 WattsDimensions:Width: 17-1/4” (437 mm)Depth: 13-3/4” (350 mm)Height, with feet: 4-1/8” (105 mm)Height, without feet: 3-1/2” (89 mm)Net Weight: 14 lb. (6.3 kg)Shipping Weight: 21 lb. (9.5 kg)Learn more:
This is a buyer’s market item at US$650: the P5 launched at US$950–US$1,095, so this asking price sits well below original pricing and looks fair to strong for a clean, working unit. For a model with this much feature set, that’s solid value rather than a stretch.
What makes it worth chasing is the mix of quiet, neutral preamp performance, a competent built-in DAC, MM/MC phono stage, balanced I/O, home-theater bypass, and useful bass management for 2.1 setups. It’s one of those preamps that can simplify a system without feeling stripped-down. At this price, I’d mainly want confirmation that the remote works and that the DAC/phono sections are healthy, but a complete, well-kept example is a very sensible buy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Parasound, an enduring American hi-fi brand, traces its roots to 1981 when Richard Schram founded it in San Francisco, California. Drawing from his experience in consumer electronics retail and engineering trips to Asia, Schram aimed to bridge the gap between exorbitantly priced high-end gear and lackluster budget options. His vision crystallized through savvy U.S. design paired with cost-effective manufacturing in Taiwan, establishing Parasound as a beacon of accessible excellence from the outset.
The brand excels in amplifiers and preamplifiers, its core stronghold, with the acclaimed Halo series embodying decades of refinement. Iconic collaborations with legendary designer John Curl—starting in 1989—elevate power amps, phono stages like the JC3+, and processors to reference-level performance. While not venturing into speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables, Parasound's focused lineup delivers uncolored, dynamic sound through innovative circuits and robust builds.
Parasound occupies a prime mid-to-high-end niche, revered for punching far above its price weight with reliability that rivals pricier boutique rivals. Audiophiles and critics praise its value-driven sonic fidelity, build quality, and longevity, fostering fierce loyalty worldwide. Even under new ownership since 2022, it remains the discerning buyer's choice for high-performance audio without prestige-driven excess.
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