Parasound Halo P6 2.1 Channel Preamplifier & DAC - Black

A Preamp, DAC, and Phono Stage That Covers the Bass Too

The Parasound Halo P6 is a full-featured preamplifier built around a resistor-ladder volume control. That design keeps noise low as you adjust the level, unlike a standard volume pot.

The "2.1" in its name points to built-in bass management. Analog high-pass and low-pass crossovers, both at a 12dB/octave slope, split bass duties between your main speakers and a subwoofer.

A front-panel subwoofer level control lets you dial that balance in without walking over to the sub itself. Total harmonic distortion stays under 0.01% throughout the preamp section.

Line input signal-to-noise ratio measures above 108dB, A-weighted. That's a genuinely quiet foundation for the rest of your system to build on.

A DAC and Phono Stage Worth Skipping the Extra Box For

An ESS Sabre32 Reference DAC chip handles digital sources. Over USB, it decodes PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit. It also supports native DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256.

Coaxial and optical inputs handle PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit. That covers a CD player, TV, or older digital source alongside anything you'd stream over USB.

A built-in phono stage covers moving magnet, moving coil, and moving-iron cartridges. Input impedance switches between 47k ohms and 100 ohms, so you can match it to your specific cartridge.

A Texas Instruments TPA6120A chip drives the front-panel headphone jack. Bass and treble controls are included too, with a relay bypass to pull them out of the signal path when you don't need them.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Michael Zisserson reviewed the P6 for Positive Feedback on March 21, 2019. He wrote that "the P 6 is a wonderful listen. Never did I get the sense I was listening to a price point."

Zisserson also reviewed the P6 for Future Audiophile on January 4, 2023, writing that "the Halo P 6 preamplifier can do it all when it comes to a preamp," offering "a functional level of features that are no-compromise."

On its sound, he added that "even when presented with the opportunity to fail, the Halo P 6 chose to shine instead, resolving the strong harmonies during the chorus."

Who Is This Preamplifier Best For?

• Anyone building a system around a separate power amp. The P6 handles preamp, DAC, and phono duties, so your power amp only has to amplify.
• Vinyl listeners with a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge. The built-in phono stage covers both, with switchable MC loading.
• Anyone running a 2.1 speaker setup with a subwoofer. Built-in crossovers and a front-panel level control handle the bass split for you.
• Streamers and computer-audio listeners. The onboard ESS DAC handles high-resolution PCM and native DSD without a separate box.
• Not the right fit if you need an integrated amp in one chassis. The P6 has no power amp section, so you'll still need one to drive your speakers.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Five RCA line inputs and one balanced XLR input cover most sources. A front-panel aux input with its own gain stage makes it easy to plug in a portable player.

Connect a turntable to the built-in phono input, wired for MM, MC, or moving-iron cartridges. USB, coaxial, and optical digital inputs route a computer, streamer, or disc player through the internal DAC.

Balanced XLR and RCA preamp outputs feed your power amplifier. Dedicated XLR and RCA subwoofer outputs, plus a home theater bypass input, round out the connections for a larger system.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the Parasound Halo P6:

• Power amplifiers to pair with the P6's preamp outputs
• Subwoofers to take advantage of the built-in 2.1 bass management
• Turntables to use with the built-in MM/MC phono stage
• Interconnect cables to connect it to your power amp
• Audio racks to give it a stable, permanent home

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the "2.1" in its name mean?

It refers to built-in bass management for a stereo pair of speakers plus a subwoofer. Analog crossovers split bass frequencies to the sub, with a front-panel level control.

Does it work with a moving-coil cartridge?

Yes. The phono stage handles moving magnet, moving coil, and moving-iron cartridges, with switchable loading between 47k ohms and 100 ohms.

Can I stream high-resolution files through it?

Yes. The built-in ESS Sabre32 DAC decodes PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit over USB, along with native DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256.

Does it include a power amp?

No. The P6 is a dedicated preamp, DAC, and phono stage. You'll need a separate power amplifier to drive your speakers.

What's the warranty?

Parasound covers the Halo P6 for five years, parts and labor.

See It in Action

Audio Arkitekts reviews the P6 and asks whether you really need a preamp:

Small Spaces HiFi breaks down its features and value:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about preamplifiers, matching a phono stage to your cartridge, or setting up bass management with a subwoofer? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.