The Parasound P 6 preamplifier is highly modern and technologically advanced to the core. The functions of working with digital sources are given specifically to the previous one. There is a DAC on board with coaxial, optical and USB inputs on the ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M chip, supporting resolutions up to 384 kHz/24 bit.
Very impressive is the all-analog “bass management” system, which consists of two low-level signal outputs equipped with switchable crossovers with the ability to smoothly adjust the frequency cutoff. That is, you can combine the subwoofer and satellite ranges as accurately as possible, or work effectively with the support of full-size front speakers; Who knows, you can also try bandpass amplification of loudspeakers without their own crossovers… However, this is for serious enthusiasts. There is a wide field for experimentation here.
There is an excellent phono stage on board. You can safely connect a very expensive turntable with a solid pickup – the potential will be revealed. Secondly, the digital-to-analog converter is also not bad at all and will solve all problems with connecting a satellite tuner or media player digitally. The headphone amplifier uses a Texas Instruments TPA6120A chip.
The highlight of the Parasound P 6 design is the subwoofer volume control located on the first panel. Didn’t like how the installer configured the bass? Just go to the preamp and turn the subwoofer volume knob. You can add bass in another, more civilized way.
The Parasound P 6 has a switchable tone block for this purpose. Yes, those same LF and HF controls that were mandatory in Hi-Fi equipment twenty years ago, and which any self-respecting audiophile considered it his duty to turn off. In the preamplifier circuit, they were literally miraculously preserved and have survived to this day. The function, again, can be disabled.
Digital switching, which has become the norm for modern amplifiers, is fully implemented in the Parasound P 6. There are two optical and coaxial inputs with a maximum input signal quality of 24 bit / 384 kHz, as well as a USB input with a maximum USB carrier frequency: 384 kHz / 32-bit PCM, the DAC is also capable of processing DSD Native: DSD 64, DSD 128, DSD 256 , DSD over PCM (DoP) at 384 kHz.
The signal is decoded by the ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M chip. It is distinguished not only by high quality of work and applicability in professional equipment, but also by the presence of balanced outputs. For Parasound, support for balanced circuitry is a matter of principle, since the entire proprietary circuit is built precisely according to this circuit, and this is already a matter of principle. Another innovation is the replacement of the motorized potentiometer with an analog resistive matrix based on Burr Brown products.
Characteristics of Parasound P 6
Number of channels – 2.1
Frequency range – 10-100000 Hz (-3dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio – 108 dB (linear input)
Distortion – less than 0.01%
Built-in crossover – 20-140 Hz (switchable)
Built-in DAC – ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M
Built-in phono stage – MM 47 kOhm, MS 47 and 100 kOhm
Inputs – balanced, 5x linear, Phono, through input for DC 2.2, AUX, coaxial, optical, USB (24bit/96kHz)
Outputs – balanced 2.1, unbalanced 2.2 , headphone output
Control interfaces – switchable trigger input and pass-through output, IR input and pass-through output
Dimensions – 437x350x105 mm
Weight – 6.3 kg
