Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated Amplifier w/DAC

Description

MY TAKE: An incredibly full-featured integrated amplifier at a price point never before seen from Parasound, the NewClassic 200 is a fantastic value. - Galen Carol

REVIEWS:

HiFiTrends: "This Mind-Blowing Amp Will Make Your Speakers Sing!"

Listening to the NewClassic 200 Integrated Amplifier -

"If I had to sum up the sound of this amp in a couple of words, they would be neutral and transparent. For my sound test, I used the Audiolab 6000N‌ Play streamer as a source, tapping into my NAS drive to play 24-bit audio files, or to stream music from TIDAL. I connected it to the Parasound’s optical input to put it’s Burr-Brown DAC to the test. During my testing period, I hooked up the NewClassic 200 Integrated Amp to two different sets of speakers for extended listening sessions. First, I‌ used the Kef LS50; then I‌ finished my testing with the Buchardt S400.‌ Both sounded amazing, but I liked its synergy with the latter more. The Kef was a more detailed listen, especially in the midrange, where vocals soared naturally within the soundstage. The S400 wasn’t as accurate, but it provided a more natural presentation with a super-wide soundstage, a nice weight on the bottom end, and a super smooth treble. The NewClassic 200 just seemed to bring out the best of both speakers. With both the Kef and Buchardt, there was a lot of air, and the sense of space was uncanny. Listening to “Anatomy Of Angels”‌ from Jon Batiste, I‌ felt like I‌ could hear “inside” of the recording. It was probably the most transparent amp I have listened to at this price range. Even at very low volumes, the depth was apparent. The Bass on both speakers was also tight and well defined, even though the S400 produced more of it.

"When I compared the sound to the Audiolab 6000A, my $1000 reference amp, the 6000A‌ was more forward sounding, and a tad bit more open, but it couldn’t compete with the NewClassic’s transparency and depth. The Audiolab had a bigger soundstage and scale, but the Parasound’s performance was more textured and separate. The 6000A sounded flat and two-dimensional in comparison. The vocal on Jon Batiste’s “The Very Thought Of You” sounded more natural and vibrant on the NewClassic 200."

Conclusion -

"With the NewClassic 200 Integrated, Parasound has done a masterful job of blending a quality pre-amp with a sweet-sounding amp section. It’s neutral and transparent sound will make any speaker you hook up to it sound amazing! There’s also a ton of features that make it a flexible component you will be able to use for years to come. This amp is a beast, so if you are looking for an Amp/DAC‌ combo in the 1k range, you owe it to yourself to give it a listen!" -

FEATURES -

• 110 Watts @ 8 or 4 Ohms
• Class D amplification by Pascal
• Burr-Brown 192kHz-24 bit DAC from the Halo P 5
• USB, Optical and Coax digital audio inputs
• 4 Analog audio inputs
• Phono input for MM or MC cartridges
• Pure analog signal path from input to output
• Analog bass management w/ variable 20-140Hz high pass crossover
• Subwoofer On/Off & level by remote control
• 80Hz low pass subwoofer output
• Full range mono output can be used for subwoofer or mono listening area
• Variable and fixed stereo preamp outputs
• Bypass input for surround sound or music streamer integration
• Default turn on volume memory
• Favorite volume memory with remote control button
• Input level matching (source volume offset)
• Bass, treble and balance adjustments by remote control
• Front panel LCD display with dimming
• 2-way RS232 w/ exact volume control & feedback
• Control4 Driver available here
• Rename inputs to match connected source
• Front panel Aux input with12dB of additional gain
• Dedicated headphone amplifier
• Back-lit remote control with discrete buttons
• 12V trigger output
• Rear panel IR input
• 0.5w standby power consumption meets Energy Star & EU specs

SPECIFICATIONS -

Power Output - Both channels driven (0.05% THD, 20 Hz - 20 kHz) 110 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω or 8 Ω (RMS)

Power Output - Both channels driven (1% THD, 20 Hz - 20 kHz) 125 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω or 8 Ω (RMS)

Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0 / -0.05 dB 10 Hz - 80 kHz, +0 / -3 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion (20 Hz - 20 kHz): < 0.05 %, (110 watts, 8 Ω)

Interchannel Crosstalk: -75 dB at 20 kHz -85dB at 1 kHz

Preamp Output: 250mv = 1V output

Total gain = 12 dB (volume set to 100)

Unity gain = Volume set to 76

Maximum output = 3.5V

Phono Stage Gain / Input Impedance: MM: 40 dB / 47 k Ω MC: 50 dB / 100 Ω

Line Level Input Impedance: 24k Ohms

Preamp Output Impedance: 470 Ohms

S/N Ratio – Line Inputs: > 100 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted

S/N Ratio – Digital Inputs: > 110 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted

DAC IC: Burr-Brown PCM1798

DAC Maximum Sampling Rates (PCM only): USB: 96kHz - 24 bit, Optical: 192kHz - 24 bit, Coax: 192kHz - 24 bit

DC Trigger Output: 12 Vdc, 50mA

AC Power Requirement: Standby: 0.5 watts,  Idling: 15 watts (no music playing), Typical: 50 watts (music playing), Maximum: 300 watts

100-250 VAC 50/60 Hz (automatic)

Dimensions:

Width: 17.25" (438 mm)

Depth: 14.75" (375 mm)

Depth: 16.75" (425 mm) with cables connected

Height, with feet: 2.5" (63.5 mm)

Height, without feet: 1.75" (44.5 mm), 1U

Weight:

Net: 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg)

Shipping: 17.5 lbs (7.9 kg)