Parasound HALO P7 - The Pinnacle of Analogue Audio Technology
When Parasound designs a multi-channel preamplifier, they really do it right. The Halo P7 preamp is the pinnacle of analog audio technology and value engineering for a stereo or surround sound music system. Parasound endowed the P7 with unique connectivity and control features, which enable it to be the centerpiece of a high-end stereo or surround sound system.
Parasound really thought of everything with the P7. There's no need to make orphans of your treasured vinyl in the digital age. The built-in low-noise phono stage is selectable to provide the correct gain and load for both MM and MC cartridges. You won't believe the detail that you'll hear in your favorite LPs.
"Nothing Else Can Do What It Does"
"To say that I'm enthusiastic about the Parasound Halo P 7 is an understatement," raves Kalman Rubinson in the January2009 issue of Stereophile." Nothing else I've seen can do what it does, and the few that sound marginally better cost many times more."
"The Parasound Halo P 7 is the perfect choice for those looking for a preamp that won’t be outdated a year later and who want an audiophile-grade preamp for their two-channel and multichannel sources," notes Kris Deering in the June 2012 issue of Home Theater magazine.
"You'll Be in for a Treat"
"Thrill seekers lusting after a muscular audio system equivalent of the [Dodge Challenger] SRT8 should check out the following system," reports audio guru Steve Guttenberg in his October 20, 2008 review for The Audiophiliac. Steve's system includes The Halo P 7. "If you never heard what a well setup high-end muscle system can do you'll be in for a treat."
"One Of My Top Picks For 2009"
"It's still early, but the Parasound P7 will likely be one of my top picks for 2009," raves Gary Altunian at stereos.about.com. "Important sonic characteristics such as clarity, dynamic range and transparency are desirable in stereo and home theater systems and the P7 delivers on all counts.
"The Best of Both Worlds"
"In short, Parasound's new unit offers the best of both worlds: two-channel amplifier purity and multi-channel home theater capability," reports the November 2008 issue of JazzTimes magazine.
"With little to no sonic character of its own the P 7 simply presents the music as a whole and lets you enjoy," observes Rick Schmidt in his February 19, 2009 review for Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. "If you are looking to integrate your beloved two channel gear with your home theater set this preamp should be high on your shopping list."
Digital music has a central place with the Halo, too. The front-panel MP3 input makes connecting your iPod or other portable player really convenient. And you haven't experienced the full sonic potential of lossless MP3 file formats until you've experienced them through the P 7.
Theater Bypass Mode
The P 7 also enables you to upgrade your present surround sound system for serious two-channel, audiophile-quality listening. The theater bypass mode makes it simple to use the P 7 and your digital surround sound receiver in the same system. This lets you keep the P 7 directly in the signal chain and play either stereo or surround sound without messing with wires.
Built-in subwoofer control is another key feature. An adjustable subwoofer crossover provides analog bass management for your stereo sources. Subwoofer output level trim can be adjusted via the wireless remote.
Seven Inputs and a Multi-channel Input
The Parasound has seven inputs, with one balanced XLR input. The phono input can be switched for an MM or MC phono cartridge with the correct input impedance. Custom input naming is provided for all inputs, along with source input level matching for easy management of amplitude levels. The wireless remote provides 20 dB partial mute and full mute for those moments when you need to temporarily silence the sonic bliss. And the remote also provides relay-switched input select, plus mute and tone control engage/bypass.
Two 7.1 multi-channel inputs accommodate surround sound movies and music. Unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR 7.1 outputs add to the flexibility of this do-it-all preamp. Sound quality is what you would expect from Parasound – perfection itself.
"The real benefit of the P7 is it isolates analog circuits from noisier digital circuits to preserve analog purity - always a good idea as any audiophile worth his or her weight in 180-gram vinyl knows," reports JazzTimes magazine.
Custom Installation Features
The P 7 offers a 2-way RS-232 serial port connection for integration with Creston and other whole-house controllers. It also provides external IR repeater input. Three 12V trigger outputs for three different functions give you turn on/turn off functionality, and the 12V trigger can even be activated by remote control.
Other features include a high-quality headphone jack with headphone level offset, a balance control, bass and treble controls with defeat button, wireless remote with tone control on/off button, left/right balance adjust via remote, front/rear balance adjust via remote, and a detachable IEC AC cord. Five brightness settings for the front panel display let you easily coordinate the P 7 with room lighting.
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