Parasound Unveils Its NewClassic 200 DAC/Pre

Parasound Unveils Its NewClassic 200 DAC/Pre​

(January 2, 2019) Parasound finished out another successful year by announcing an all-new analog audio preamplifier and DAC. Priced at $895, the NewClassic 200 Pre presents a wide range of connectivity for audio fans looking for analog preamp performance that includes bass management with high pass and low pass outputs.

The backside of the NewClassic 200 Pre is loaded with input options, including phono (both MM/MC) and RCA line inputs, bypass inputs for left, right, and sub channels, and digital USB, Coax, and Optical options, while the front features a line level input for portable devices.

The preamp’s bypass inputs allow owners to connect external sources that house an independent volume control (think Sonos Connect or an AV receiver), removing the 200 Pre’s circuits and controls from the signal path (including volume, bass and treble tone controls, balance, and subwoofer level). And the frontside line level input features an automatic 12dB gain increase to improve overall sound quality from portable sources. Owners will also find a 20Hz to 140Hz high-pass crossover function for both left and right outputs.

Other notable features, include:

• Burr-Brown 192kHz-24 bit DAC, same as used in the the Halo P 5
  
• Single turn-on volume preset and input volume offset
• Favorite volume setting
• Single bi-directional RS-232 serial port,
• IR input / 12V trigger output
• Dimmable front panel LCD display with assignable names
• Back-lit remote
• Rack-mountable

The NewClassic 200 Pre is shipping now.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Parasound Unveils Its NewClassic 200 DAC/Pre​

(January 2, 2019) Parasound finished out another successful year by announcing an all-new analog audio preamplifier and DAC. Priced at $895, the NewClassic 200 Pre presents a wide range of connectivity for audio fans looking for analog preamp performance that includes bass management with high pass and low pass outputs.

The backside of the NewClassic 200 Pre is loaded with input options, including phono (both MM/MC) and RCA line inputs, bypass inputs for left, right, and sub channels, and digital USB, Coax, and Optical options, while the front features a line level input for portable devices.

The preamp’s bypass inputs allow owners to connect external sources that house an independent volume control (think Sonos Connect or an AV receiver), removing the 200 Pre’s circuits and controls from the signal path (including volume, bass and treble tone controls, balance, and subwoofer level). And the frontside line level input features an automatic 12dB gain increase to improve overall sound quality from portable sources. Owners will also find a 20Hz to 140Hz high-pass crossover function for both left and right outputs.

Other notable features, include:

• Burr-Brown 192kHz-24 bit DAC, same as used in the the Halo P 5
  
• Single turn-on volume preset and input volume offset
• Favorite volume setting
• Single bi-directional RS-232 serial port,
• IR input / 12V trigger output
• Dimmable front panel LCD display with assignable names
• Back-lit remote
• Rack-mountable

The NewClassic 200 Pre is shipping now.

This might be in line with what we were discussing in @Sonnie thread on DACs. This is a mechanism for getting a better quality dac and preamp as part of a home theater system with subwoofers.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Nice, but I'm still trying to figure out how I can take advantage of Dirac Live with an external DAC/preamp, being that Dirac Live resides in my NAD AVR... and is all digital processing... and I am thinking it would have to be after the DAC.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Nice, but I'm still trying to figure out how I can take advantage of Dirac Live with an external DAC/preamp, being that Dirac Live resides in my NAD AVR... and is all digital processing... and I am thinking it would have to be after the DAC.

Would you consider using a computer as your source and use the dirac computer software? That’s what I’ve been doing.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I suppose it is possible... but how would that help me with integrating a DAC?

 

[Matthew J Poes]

I suppose it is possible... but how would that help me with integrating a DAC?

All the dsp can be applied before the DAC. No double conversion or giving up or features.