Who has a Parasound P6?

[nimbus109]

Yes, I am satisfied with my Parasound P6. It is black as coal quiet on all sources, digital and analog and it's high/low pass filtering plus volume/loudness control of sub output support extraordinary bass management. It's DAC, for the most part, serves my Apple Music app running on an M1 iMac via usb connection, which delivers the most lifelike recorded music entertainment from lossless and hi-res recordings. And the P6's phono stage easily amps my Audio Technica Moving Coil Cartridge, as well as a stable of MM Carts. Another plus for the P6 is its Home Theater By-Pass feature, permitting integration of another pre-amp into system, which outputs to same power amps that the P6 outputs to. The only thing absent on the P6 is an HDMI input, which would permit enjoyment of DSD from stereo SACDs. But I have covered that via a Marantz NR1200 Receiver used as a preamp/DAC as connected to the P6's HT By-Pass. At any rate, the P6 is in a word Awesome: lifelike sound, quality build and esthetics, low price, and a full feature set that accommodates a variety of digital and analog sources, even analog recorders. One more thing, a contributor to this thread suggested that you can do better with a $199 external DAC than P6 DAC. That's baloney, but if you have a desire for .1 bass management, as well as HDMI connectivity, you could just buy a Marantz NR1200 and use it as a preamp. Mine has the AK 4458 DAC, the latest use Sabre DACs. I use the Marantz specifically for its HDMI input, allowing enjoyment of stereo DSD from SACDs played from my Sony UBP-X800M2 Universal Player.

 

[nimbus109]

Would like to know how you connected the P6 to your tape deck. I have two Tandberg units and would like to play and record. Thanks.

 

[highfigh]

Would like to know how you connected the P6 to your tape deck. I have two Tandberg units and would like to play and record. Thanks.

The P6 has plenty of inputs, but with only one Rec Out, you may want to buffer the tape machines, to prevent one affecting the other if both are using the output. However, it may not make a difference.sound bad- I have seen multiple tape decks connected to one set of Rec Out jacks with no bad effects. Are the Tandberg three head design, or two head? With three head, you should have a Tape/Monitor switch that allows the sound to pass through.

 

[nimbus109]

The P6 has plenty of inputs, but with only one Rec Out, you may want to buffer the tape machines, to prevent one affecting the other if both are using the output. However, it may not make a difference.sound bad- I have seen multiple tape decks connected to one set of Rec Out jacks with no bad effects. Are the Tandberg three head design, or two head? With three head, you should have a Tape/Monitor switch that allows the sound to pass through.

Thanks. The Tandberg units are the TD 20 r to r and the 3014 TCD. Not sure.

 

[highfigh]

Thanks. The Tandberg units are the TD 20 r to r and the 3014 TCD. Not sure.

You own these? Look on the front for the Tape/Mon switch- if they have three heads, they should have it. The TD-20 has it at the bottom left and the 3014 has it at the left end of the row of smaller knobs below the VU meters.

 

[Bobby Bass]

Good to see this thread come back. I’m looking at the P6 to connect to my power amplifier. I have 2 subs that I need to control along with the main speakers. Want XLR input for my external DAC and out to my amp. Optical input for my BluRay player. Running a 2.2 music system. Any thoughts and feedback from current or previous owners?

 

[PENG]

This is an old thread, but I would repeat, if one must have an integrated amp with build in dac that's fine. If one wants the SOTA class dac performance then go with separate desktop dac that are more capable and have much better specs and measurements at the below $199 price point.

I know many Parasound fans won't believe it, one even called that "baloney" back then (post#14), that's out of ignorant of facts, their loss, I won't argue. I would drop that price point to $150 now, that's even better considering the inflation from 2022 to now.

So, my suggestion is, for performance/price ratio, it is better to use separates ie. dac+power amp, or dac+preamp+power amp. Integrated Preamps at the below $2,000 price point are often (not always) glorified AVRs that you end up paying more and getting less.

Here's a place to look for alternatives:

SMSL PS200 Budget DAC Review | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

An example of a below $199 very capable one:
Amazon.com: S.M.S.L DL100 Audio DAC Amplifier 4xCS43131 Chips Hi-Res Headphone Amplifier PCM32bit/768kHz Hi-Fi Audio Stereo Receiver Bluetooth5.1/USB/Optical/Coaxial/HDMI Input THD+N 0.00009%, with Remote Control : Electronics

For excellent sound quality, it can be paired with something like a 350/500 W 8/4 ohms buckeyeamp for about $700 and you get to play stereo driving just about any 4 ohm speakers.

Buckeye Amps

or if a preamp is needed, pair it with a more traditional preamp that does not come with DAC, to avoid end up paying more for less capable/performance dacs typically found in those build into the preamp.

 

[highfigh]

This is an old thread, but I would repeat, if one must have an integrated amp with build in dac that's fine. If one wants the SOTA class dac performance then go with separate desktop dac that are more capable and have much better specs and measurements at the below $199 price point.

I know many Parasound fans won't believe it, one even called that "baloney" back then (post#14), that's out of ignorant of facts, their loss, I won't argue. I would drop that price point to $150 now, that's even better considering the inflation from 2022 to now.

So, my suggestion is, for performance/price ratio, it is better to use separates ie. dac+power amp, or dac+preamp+power amp. Integrated amps at the below $2,000 price point are often (not always) glorified AVRs that you end up paying more and getting less.

Here's a place to look for alternatives:

SMSL PS200 Budget DAC Review | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

An example of a below $199 very capable one:
Amazon.com: S.M.S.L DL100 Audio DAC Amplifier 4xCS43131 Chips Hi-Res Headphone Amplifier PCM32bit/768kHz Hi-Fi Audio Stereo Receiver Bluetooth5.1/USB/Optical/Coaxial/HDMI Input THD+N 0.00009%, with Remote Control : Electronics

For excellent sound quality, it can be paired with something like a 350/500 W 8/4 ohms buckeyeamp for about $700 and you get to play stereo driving just about any 4 ohm speakers.

Buckeye Amps

or pair it with a more traditional integrated amp that has enough I/Os but without the build in dac, such as one of Yamaha's A-S1200

The P6 is a preamp, not integrated.

 

[PENG]

The P6 is a preamp, not integrated.

Thank you for the instant fact check, allowing me to edit right away! It's been too long so I didn't remember right.
I only have vintage preamps, do you have recommendations for preamps that beat the likes of the P6? Keep in mind you might know that I don't put much weight on subjective reviews, but am serious about specs and measurements.

I actually do have a preamp with build in dac, or actually the sort of reverse, a dac with build in preamp lol, that is the Oppo HA-1.

Some of our more old school style friends (no offense to anyone) might call it baloney again, regardless, one that always want to get is the following:

Topping Pre90 Review (preamplifier) | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

I don't recall seeing any other preamp regardless of price, that has better test bench results. If it isn't the poor dollar exch rate, I would have grabbed one long time ago.