Parasound's latest product addition to its NewClassic series is the newly announced Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated Amplifier and DAC.
Parasound states that it took its most affordable preamplifier and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) combination and added a 110-watt per channel amplifier stage to provide homeowners with a reasonably priced all-in-one amplifier, preamplifier, and DAC.
“Integrated amplifiers with a DAC have replaced the venerable stereo receiver as the entry-level system anchor for serious music lovers,” suggests Richard Schram, president and CEO, Parasound.
“The NewClassic 200 Integrated gives budget-minded audiophiles an affordable, sensible pathway to a higher end system. For just $300 above the cost of the preamp-only version customers will have a system with great power amplification and outstanding preamp features.
“The inclusion of preamp outputs allows for the flexibility of adding a separate power amp in the future.”
Class D Amplifier Circuit Saves Space
Working with the Danish amplification manufacturer Pascal, which specializes in Class D designs, Parasound was able to incorporate the 110-watt per channel amplification section into a 1U chassis to help keep the product's footprint small.
According to Parasound, the Pascal Class D amplification design along with its preamplifier design avoids the typical analog-to-digital conversion for volume control, while providing functions such as bass management, high-pass and low-pass crossovers options.
The integrated amp's rear panel offers integrators a moving magnet (MM)/moving coil (MC) phono preamplifier input, two RCA line-level inputs, and digital inputs that include USB, coax and optical.
Related: $895 Parasound Preamp Combines Traditional Audio Functions With Digital Technologies
Parasound also incorporates a home-theater bypass for left, right and two subwoofers, and a front-panel aux line-level input that employs 12dB of gain to help increase the sound quality of portable devices.
Some of the other integrator-friendly options built into the product include volume and favorite volume presets, a bi-directional RS-232 port that comes equipped with Control4 drivers, a rear-panel IR repeater input, and a 12-volt trigger.
In addition, the NewClassic 200 Integrated Amplifier and DAC features a bypass input that enables a direct connection to the amplifier stage to facilitate its connection to surround-sound systems or streaming devices such as a Sonos Connect.
The integrated amp and DAC will be available this summer at an MSRP of $1,195.
