Direct Balanced Connections Plus a Switchable Phono Stage
"A Reference for Products in its Price Range" and Above
Parasound's new Halo series of components combines stunning good looks with exceptional sound quality. The P3 preamplifier stands at the forefront of advanced Halo technology with direct balanced Neutrik inputs and outputs for reference-quality sound. The six line-level inputs include a unique switchable auxiliary input that can be configured for a moving magnet phono cartridge. Two RCA direct inputs allow you to bypass the tone-control circuitry for the purist possible performance. Whatever connections you use, the sound quality is what you would expect from Parasound: clean, detailed, and uncolored.
Shane Buettner of The Absolute Sound was impressed with the P3, observing, "It might well represent a reference for products in its price range (and perhaps even a few clicks above that)." According to Buettner, "I had intended to listen for just a minute or two before letting the components warm up together. I was still in my listening chair 45 minutes later. Damn if it didn't sound like music!"
"A Winning Combination"
Auditioning the Halo A23 power amp and the P3 preamp together, Eric Hetherington writes in December 1, 2004 GoodSound! review, "I found the Parasounds' sonic virtues to be many and their overall value to be greater than their prices. Good value and good sound: a winning combination!" He concludes, "Anyone seeking a new pre-power pair within the GoodSound! price range owes it to him- or herself to check these out."
"Parasound hit the nail on the head with the P3," reports Sandy Bird in the October 2002 issue of Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. "At $800, this is an outstanding preamp. To find a stereo preamp with the same features that will outperform the P 3 by any significant amount you are going to end up paying 2 or 3 times the cost, and you will still be short a few features."
Enormous Power Supply
The Halo uses a power supply more appropriately scaled for a power amp than a preamp. The power supply incorporates an enormous encapsulated toroidal power transformer that helps keep circuitry quiet. The circuitry uses dual-layer glass epoxy circuit boards and premium components throughout the assembly.
Defeatable Bass and Treble Controls
Defeatable bass and treble controls let you take advantage of the Halo's high-quality contouring circuitry. Or use the direct connections to their best advantage by not applying any coloration to the audio signal. A high-resolution stereo headphone circuit lets you enjoy private listening and still experience the full sonic potential of the Parasound.
The clean front panel layout with discrete controls is complement by an alphanumeric display of essential control parameters. The included wireless remote gives you easy armchair of the P3's feature package. Multi-room capabilities include external infrared input and loop output jacks. The 12-volt trigger input and output allows you to automatically turn on the P3 with another component, or use the P3 to power up another piece of gear with 12-volt trigger capability.
You'll Have to Spend a Whole Lot More for Better
"You'll have to spend more money to get better performance, in many cases a lot more," cautions Buettner. "This Halo P3 / A23 combo is the kind of system that should be celebrated as an invitation to participate in high-end audio as a hobby. And it continues Parasound's tradition of giving people more performance for the money than they have any right to expect."
Owner’s Guide (2.2mb PDF) 
Note: Parasound products cannot be shipped outside the USA. | 
