Parasound Halo Hint 6 integrated amplifier with built in DAC
Parasound Halo Hint 6 Parasound's HINT 6 integrated amplifier is loaded with features and design perks that make it an excellent centerpiece of a high-performance two-channel audio system. It offers plenty of digital and analog connections for music sources and delivers 160 watts of clean power per channel. And this amp is stable at low impedances, so it's compatible with a wide range of speakers. All that power comes from a large toroidal transformer and the amp's high-bias Class A/AB amplifier design. John Curl-Designed Power Amplifier Section The Parasound HINT 6 uses the same powerful John Curl-designed power amplifier as the original acclaimed Halo Integrated Amplifier. This 160-watt-per-channel (240-watts @ 4 ohms) amplifier is based on John Curl's direct coupled Class A/AB circuit topology found in Parasound's renowned separate power amplifiers. These capabilities are further enhanced with a home-theater bypass function, 2.1-channel analog bass management, a dedicated high-current headphone amplifier, and an MM/MC phono stage. ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC The Parasound HINT 6 uses a proven ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC to decode a wide range of digital music files via two optical, one coaxial, and a new upgraded USB receiver – now with plug-and-play support for Windows 10 in addition to Mac. The asynchronous USB 2.0 input supports PCM up to 384 kHz/32-bit, native DSD256, and DoP DSD bit streams. The coax and optical inputs accept PCM up to 192 kHz/24-bit. Among other circuit improvements are an upgraded op-amp in the preamp gain stage, improved L-R channel separation, and increased gain for the MC and MM phono inputs. Massive Toroidal Power Transformer and Toshiba JFETs The heart of HINT 6's power supply is a massive 1.1kVA toroid power transformer. It is custom-designed for well-contained radiated hum, high efficiency, and high power. Encapsulating this massive power transformer in an epoxy-filled steel canister assures ultra-quiet performance. The transformer has independent secondary windings to provide more than ample voltage to each channel's power supply under the most strenuous operating conditions. Separate windings for each channel improves stereo imaging by reducing inter-channel crosstalk. HINT 6 uses a total of 40,000uF of Lelon electrolytic filter capacitors to provide a reserve of massive power sufficient to reproduce unrestricted bass. Highly-coveted Toshiba JFETs are deployed in the input stage of the power amplifier section to achieve stunningly low noise and maximize its dynamic range. HINT 6 Technical SpecsPower Output - Both channels driven(0.9% THD, 20 Hz - 20 kHz)180 watts x 2 @ 8 ? RMS270 watts x 2 @ 4 ? RMS Current Capacity45 amps peak per channel Frequency Response10 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)< 0.01 %, average listening levels< 0.05 %, 160 watts x 2 @ 8 ? Interchannel Crosstalk> 70 dB at 20 kHz> 78 dB at 1 kHz Signal to Noise Ratio - IHF A-weightedLine in: - 103 dB (input shorted)Digital in: - 106 dB Amplifier Damping Factor> 800 at 20 Hz Preamplifier Stage Input Sensitivity300 mV in for 1 V at Preamp Output jacksTotal Preamp Stage Gain: 10 dBMax Output Unbalanced: 7 VMax Output Balanced: 9 V Power Amplifier Stage Sensitivity1 V at Bypass/Amp In for 28 V at Speaker OutTotal Amp Stage Gain: 28 dB Phono Stage Sensitivity / Input ImpedanceMM: 41 dB / 47 k ?MC: 54 dB / 47 k ? or 100 ? High & Low Pass Crossover Slope12 dB per octave Supported DAC Sampling RatesUSB: up to 384 kHz / 32-bit PCMDSD Native: DSD 64, DSD 128, DSD 256DSD over PCM (DoP) at 384 kHz Coax/Optical: up to 192 kHz / 24-bit PCM Digital to Analog ConverterESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M384 kHz / 32-bit USB 2.0 ControllerSavitech SA9227, 384 kHz / 32-bit Headphone AmplifierTexas Instruments TPA6120AOutput Impedance 10 ohms XLR Pin Identification1 = Ground (Shield)2 = Positive3 = Negative (Return) Input ImpedanceUnbalanced: 24 k ?Balanced: 100 k ? per leg Preamplifer Output ImpedanceUnbalanced: 100 ?Balanced: 470 ? per leg DimensionsWidth: 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 Weight33 lb. (15 kg) Shipping Weight 45 lb. (20.4 kg) Power Requirement Standby: 0.5 wattsIdling power: 70 wattsMaximum: 750 watts110-125 VAC 60 Hz or 220-250 VAC 50 HzAC mains voltage is set on rear panel