Parasound shows 3 new Theater products under the Classic Line

[bhuskins]

As promised, Parasound has introduced 3 new Home Theater products under the classic line. They will be direct replacements for the AVC-2500u, HCA-2205AT and the HCA-1205A.

The new processor is the 7100 pictured here:


Here is the rear:


Here are the specs:


The 2 new 5 channel amps can be seen here with the 7100:

(fingerprints not included... :B :B :B )

Here is the rear of all 3:

(notice the new terminal layout and lack of fins everywhere)

Here are the specs of the smaller one - The 5125:


Here are the specs of the larger one - The 5250:

(and no...you don't need new glasses...my wife needs a tripod... :B )

Expect delivery to market as early as 30 days and as late as 90 days. More info later, but I figured everyone would like to see the pics.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[nicholtl]

Wow, those are certainly gorgeous. Interesting that the new controller has features the Halo processors do not yet have, such as video upconversion, 3 component video inputs (C2 only has 2), and DPLIIx (but that will change soon). All THX Ultra 2 certified as well. Nice. No XLR inputs/outputs though, hahahaha.

Just curious. What are the MSRP's on these?

[bhuskins]

...and bass management on the 7.1 analog input...

The 7100 between 3K and 3.5K MSRP, the 5250 between 2K and 2.5K (I believe...for comparison the HCA-2205 retailed for 2K) and the 5125 for around 1.2K to 1.5K (and I might be more than a little off on the smaller amp...I didn't make notes on the prices.)

They also showed the matching 2 channel amps to complete a 7 channel system and those will be available at the same time.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[bhuskins]

Also notice the LARGE expansion slot for HDMI, etc. on the 7100 top left corner.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[TimRawson]

I was just about to ask about these (dealer mentioned it).

What will be the price point for the prepro, 2-2.5K to be competitive? Once 3K approached might as well go for the Halo C2.

[bhuskins]

The prepro model is the 7100 and pricing is above...it will likely street in the 2's though.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[nicholtl]

So I take it the massive chassis for the amps actually house smaller internal parts and transformers than appearance would suggest, since all the heat sinking must be done internally as well?

[Peter Nielsen]

So I take it the massive chassis for the amps actually house smaller internal parts and transformers than appearance would suggest, since all the heat sinking must be done internally as well?

The peak current is notably lower compared to the A51. This suggests a smaller power supply and/or fewer output transistors. Compare the A51's 60A/400W to the 5250's 45A/350W. Either some of those 350W are bogus watts, or the 400W specification of the A51 is conservative. In any case the Ampère rating indicates that the A51 holds 25% more "juice".

Also, the absence of the massive heat sinks and the "low heat design" is a clear indication that these new amps won't operate in Class A to any significant wattage. Part of the reason for the massive heat sinks on the A51 is because of its 30 Watt class A operation. (Each of the 5 channels in the A51 operates in class A up to 6W).

Now where's that component OSD upgrade option for the C2 ??? :B

[Chris D]

Wow, cool. :banana: That 5-channel amp is a monster. I would have thought that the pre-pro would actually ship with digital video capability, but it looks like this is a future thing even for the new Parasound!

New Classis equipment is good news for us Halo guys, too, as it drives upgrades to our stuff. A lack of digital video presently is a little disappointing, though, as it might mean that a similar upgrade to Halo might not be as close as we thought!

[Peter Nielsen]

That 5-channel amp is a monster.

I beg to differ. The new 5250 is a powerful amp for average Joe that can't accomodate a monster. The 5250 is no longer the heat dissipating rack busting monster that its predecessor 2205 was and that the A51 still is.

Note that the 2205 is capable of 60 ampères per channel. The new 5250 simply cannot compete when it comes down to brute power. The lack of Class A operation may also be quite noticable.

On the other hand, the downgrade is understandable. The Classic series should of course not compete with the Halo line. There is probably also a demand for a powerful 5-channel Parasound amp that will fit standard installations. I think the 5250 will do well right there.

5250: Smaller size and low heat dissipation makes it fit standard racks. Installation is a snap.

A51: More power and pure class A operation makes for a better sounding amp. Awkward to seamlessly integrate into a big installation due to size and heat issues.

Peter

[Savannah]

Parasound shows 3 new Theater products under the Classic Line

So these new products are they suppose to compete with the AVM 30s
of the world?

[Brian]

Savannah,
Pretty much. And once the Halo updates start rolling out... well, you get the idea.

[boe]

This has my attention. Any specs on the DAC for the 7100?

[boe]

bhuskins - did they give you any info on the DAC? 96/24 or is it hopefully 192/24?

Thanks

[emillika]

Also notice the LARGE expansion slot for HDMI, etc. on the 7100 top left corner.

Does Parasound have a good track record of utilizing expansion ports it puts in it's gear?

[Peter Nielsen]

Does Parasound have a good track record of utilizing expansion ports it puts in it's gear?

It has a good track record of providing hardware upgrades to the predecessor AVC-2500 (1999-2002), which did not have an upgrade slot. Because of this, some of the AVC-2500 upgrades required you to send back the unit for upgrades. The cost was also pretty high, for instace $500 for the HDTV-2500 component video upgrade. Here is a list of upgrades that were made available for the AVC-2500: http://www.parasound.com/service_inf...0uoptions.html (Some of these upgrades were included in the late AVC-2500u model).

AFAIK, the slot was new for the HALO C1 and C2 models released in late 2002 (no hardware upgrades are available yet). It looks like the CLASSIC 7100 now has a slot of the same size. That's good news. Since Parasound now has at least 3 products that are using the same slot, there are good chances that it will actually put it to use.

The reason for the expansion port is obvious: Parasound is probably aiming for hardware upgrades that can be upgraded by the customer. These new products already have software that can be field upgraded. Parasound is probably hoping to provide new feature additions on a plugin board that is field upgradable by the customer...

HDMI is IMHO a very good candidate for the expansion slot. Now only those that need it will have to pay :B (yea, you guessed right, I don't need it)

Peter

[Chris D]

Hey, once they release IT, whatever IT ends up being, I'm all game. Just twiddling my thumbs...

[boe]

Hey - anyone else waiting for an update on this?

[nicholtl]

Patience, patience...

[GRB]

I'll take a set. Wrap 'em up. :B

[boe]

I saw the unit at CES but it was in an open booth so it couldn't be auditioned. I asked about the DAC but they didn't know anything about it. I should have written down which was which but I believe it has an incremental volume control. I prefer the smooth ones but I'm sure there are people out there who feel the opposite.

[boe]

Here is the info I got on the DAC in case anyone else besides myself cares -

http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=DSP56367&nodeId=018rH3YTLC7007YmLPqMSDSdjB

I was told it was 96 24

[nicholtl]

Sounds like a dope product! Thanks for sharing boe!

[goldear]

The Motorola 56367 Symphony is not a DAC, but the DSP engine/processor. Interestingly, it is the same one that is in the Halo...with perhaps new implimentation and code, since this one appears to run DPLIIx and few other things in the 7100. It's at least good to know that the 56367 is capable of handling the increase in duties.

[boe]

Sorry - this is the information I was given from Parasound when requesting info on the DAC. I'm guessing this chipset might have trouble keeping up with the new Dolby format -

http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000310026429/

[bhuskins]

Incorrect Boe...this is all specualtion at this point.

To set the record on the new 7100.

The A-D/D-A codecs are the incredible new 192kHz Wolfsons and the DSP is the newest generation of the 56367 Symphony.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[eduardw]

Is there a release date for the 7100.

[bhuskins]

Likely the 1st quarter of 2005...so it should be soon.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[kwojciec]

Hi Brett

I posted this piece at another thread

"Brett

I just want to make situation completely clear. This new Halo pre-? serves only
as a preamplifier and provide you with better soundstage that any processor
in this (or I like to think at least twice as much) price range. It has two 7.1
inputs, so you can use one for your processor and other for the dedicated
CD-SACD player (how about DVD-Audio). This seems as extremely nice solutions
for those who actually are more into multichannel music than HT"

Let me elaborate on this a little bit. I have now Rotel gear RSP 1066 (pre-pro) and amplifiers RMB 1080, 1075. This works pretty well for HT (modulo new formats), but eventually I start to enjoy DVD-audio and multichannel SACD more than soundtracks. I can spent around $3000 to improve the system and it seems natural to think about better pre-pro. I auditioned several different units (Rotel 1098, Sunfire, NAD and few others). Unfortunately they were not really that great as far as music were concerned . The best from the musical point of view was Krell's Showcase with sticker $4000, hence a little bit out of reach (even after discount), and moreover from the processing point of view it was already outdated. Therefore the analog preamplifier seems to be a nice solutions. I can use my 3k to get this preamp and dedicated CD-SACD player. I can run my Rotel through one of 7.1 outputs and the player through the other (I already have Yamaha S2300 as the universal player and this one would go through Rotel and preamp). This seems to be the upgrade I am looking for. Am I right?

The point is that the new formats come and go and we will be always behind as far as processing is involved. Halo people are still waiting for DPLIIx and now we are talking HD DTS and so on. This will never end. Hence I will be just happy to have good quality multichannel music within my range.

Alternatively I consider to buy Halo C2 . I can afford B stock unit from Audio Advisor. Unfortunately I do not have chance to audition this one (I live in Indianapolis)., so I am not sure if as a preamp it is comparable to Showcase.


Hence this is my question to Brett. If the multichannel music is first priority and HT
comes next, what is the best solution:
(a) to get analog multichannel pre-amp?
(b) to get B-stock C2?

or perhaps

(c) wait for 7100 pre-pro from Parasound?

The argument for C2 (and perhaps 7100) is a great DACs and CD upsampling.
I hope to hear a word of wisdom from you which motivates me to make a road trip to Chicago and audition Halo and Parasound gear

best

Kwojciec

[bhuskins]

You pose a good question. The P2 will likely be a very flexible problem solver, for situations like yours. It's hard to say what would be the best solution though. Why don't you email me at huskins@charter.net and we can explore the different options more specifically. I have a few questions for you but don't want to drown out this thread topic. You can also PM me as well if you have that turned on.

thanks,

Brent Huskins
Media Design
(817)300-1223