Streamlining the ability to deliver high-performance stereo audio and home theater content, the $895 Parasound NewClassic 200 Pre analog audio preamplifier and DAC is designed to serve as the centerpiece of a modern home A/V system.
Parasound says that at the heart of its latest preamplifier is a “versatile analog signal path, which includes analog bass management with high-pass and low-pass outputs.”
The NewClassic 200 Pre offers inputs for moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) turntables, as well as a pair of line-level inputs, a home-theater bypass for the left and right channels, and two subwoofer inputs.
The product's digital inputs include USB, coax and optical, and the preamp includes a front-panel auxiliary line level input with an automatic 12dB gain increase to bolster the sound of portable devices connected to the input.
Utilizing a similar architecture as its high-performance Halo P5 preamplifier, the NewClassic 200 Pre's home-theater bypass and built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) options are nearly identical to the more expensive preamplifier's, including both products' adjustable 20Hz to 140Hz high-pass crossover for the left and right outputs.
Related: $1,495 Parasound Halo P6 Preamplifier and DAC Debuts at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest
Supporting custom installation applications, the NewClassic 200 Pre provides turn-on volume preset, a favorite volume setting, a bi-directional serial port, a rear-panel IR input, and a 12-volt trigger output.
The $895 preamplifier also includes level matching input offset functions to help ensure all sources play at the same volume levels regardless of their respective output levels and a dimmable front-panel LCD display allows integrators to create custom names for every input.
The product ships with a backlit remote control to adjust left/right balance, bass and treble, and subwoofer on/off and level.
Parasound NewClassic 200 Analog Audio Preamplifier and DAC Features
- Analog signal path
- Home theater bypass
- Phono input that supports MM and MC phono cartridges
- USB, coax and optical digital audio inputs
- Analog bass management options
- Front-panel auxiliary input that features 12dB of gain to ensure the signal quality of portable devices
- High-pass crossover for left and right outputs
- IR input, RS-232 serial port and 12-volt trigger output
- MSRP of $895
