Should I sidegrade from Halo P5 preamp?

Discussion in 'Preamps' started by Chops, Dec 24, 2018.

  1. Chops

    Chops New

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    I'm currently running a Parasound Halo P5 preamp. It has served me quite well over the past 3+ years since purchased new. It has done everything I've asked it to do and I have had no issues with it.


    With that being said, I think I could better these days with a new preamp. I'm looking at preamps at a max of about $1800. It needs to have at least one balanced input and one balanced output as well as a pair of SE outputs. A built-in DAC isn't exactly crucial but may prove beneficial as I use the one in the P5 for my Roku. It doesn't even need a built-in phono preamp as I can get a Schitt Mani pre fairly cheap. Heck, even a Modi for that matter for the Roku. Though it would be a lot cleaner in the rack without having a bunch of extra components.

    What I have been looking at so far is the new Parasound Halo P6. It's supposed to be a decent upgrade from the P5, not to mention it uses that 128 stepped resistor volume control. Another strong contender is the PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC with its gain cell volume control.

    Right now, I'm actually leaning more towards the PS Audio.

    And of course, if you guys/gals have any other recommendations, please share them with me. Many thanks in advance!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Chops

    Chops New

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    Don't all respond at one time now...
     
  3. pedalhead

    pedalhead Friend

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  4. Chops

    Chops New

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    Wow, really? 2 dislikes because my thread goes completely ignored (as well as several other posts of mine) for a couple days and I mention something about it? I can tell already this is going to be one of "those" forums...

    I've got better things to do with my time than screw around with a place like this. Bye.
     
  5. Chops

    Chops New

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    Yeah, you guys can go f**k yourselves. I'm not going to waste my time with a bunch of stuck up fucks and a site that has a dislike option. That was a major turnoff when I first saw that on here. Don't even know why I bothered joining.

    Thanks for proving my point. LOL :rolleyes:
     
  6. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    [​IMG]
     
  7. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I love self-correction. The symmetry is aesthetically pleasing.
     
  8. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    It's the holidays man. Some of us are spending time with family, or partying, or trying to get laid, or all of the above (maybe not all simultaneously... but you do you, I won't judge).

    Here are some choices to peruse. Prices are scattered depending if you buy new or used.
    Schiit Freya
    Bryston BP-25 or 26
    ATC CA2
    Simaudio 350P
    Sanders Preamplifier
     
  9. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    Almost sounds like cizx.∞, possibly a shadow account...

    Be gone! DEMON!!!
     
  10. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    cizx wouldn't put Japanese badges on his Nissan to feel cooler inside.
     
  11. Chops

    Chops New

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    LOL... You're clueless
     
  12. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    9598F954-4796-4F04-9228-4A52B39FE099.jpeg
     
  13. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Wat....

    I beg to differ.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Don't get either the P666 or PSA Stellar Gain Retardigrade Cell Butthole. Anything PSA makes that lists for less than $4k sucks balls / is a compromised product. Don't believe Paul at PSA with his fancy marketing. A few members want to leave human turds in front of the PSA offices because of their inability to make decent gear that costs less than $4k - these people feel embarrassed about PSA being in Colorado. The P6 is a bunch of opamps not much different from its predecessor the P5. I think Parasound came out with the P6 because I said the P5 was kind of crappy and killed their sales: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/parasound-halo-p5-preamp-mini-review.3779/

    Unfortunately, there is a huge price premium and limited selection for balanced preamps. I don't know why. It might be that audiophiles are stupid and think balanced is always the way to go. TBH, good SE > mediocre balanced. This is ALWAYS true. You don't need balanced unless you live in an electromagnetically dirty environment.

    If you absolutely need balanced input, and balanced and SE output, consider this: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-ImiOwaq3teH/p_958D150/McIntosh-D150.html McIntosh is kind of overpriced IMO, but it's decent and fits your requirements for balanced. The bad thing is that the D150 is about $1500 over your budget. You can PM @netforce to see if he can get you a deal. I think he is an authorized retailer of McIntosh stuff.

    Finally, you are all over the place. Do you have a good DAC to start with? Make up your mind if you want a good DAC with preamp functions, or simply a good preamp. If you are using Roku as your data source, just go for whatever or keep the P5. You would just be sidegrading from mediocre garbage to mediocre garbage, not upgrading.
     
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2018
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Title of thread changed from extremely nebulous philosophical self-query along the lines of "what should I do?" to something slightly more specific.
     
  16. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Think we are about to find out whether op really wanted advice or just confirmation.
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    $5 that he already ordered the PSA Tardigrade Solar Heat Stroke Wave Multicell Lithium.
     
  18. Chops

    Chops New

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    Even though I disagree with you about the P5 being garbage and hurting Parasound's sales, and all I can go by on the PSA is reviews, I agree with everything else. Not to mention you're the only one that's had any real good input on the subject.

    No, I haven't ordered anything yet. No, the Roku is only for movies and crap. I just need a cheap DAC or a built-in DAC so I can have it connected to my non-video system with decent sound.

    The McIntosh you mention isn't exactly out of reach. I was just wanting to pay as little as possible for an upgrade. With that being said, I'm also looking at the NuPrime DAC-10, Schiit Freya, Hegel P20, Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE (with possible Stage 2 upgrades for an additional $1800), fully upgraded Hattor "The BIG" preamp, and a couple others.

    I'd just rather pay less if I can, but can more if I need to.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    TBH, I'd just get an SDAC, Modi 3, (or Modi Multibit), hook it up to a Saga (utterly destroys the P5 in terms of transparency), and run SE to whatever amps and speakers you have. I do this with powered monitors right now and have a spare output for a sub. No point spending that much unless your power amps, speakers, or source material / recordings are up to the task. The stuff between $1000-$2000 tends to be no-mans land. You'll get features, not any better sound quality than stuff that costs less. And from what I am hearing, you don't need any of these features.

    P.S. I refuse to do business with manufacturers that advertise upgrades, stage I, stage II, Scarlett Edition, etc. It's a shameful practice for audio, and it works better for tuner cars, where stage I might mean 333hp and stage II means 462hp.
     
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2018
  20. Blake

    Blake Acquaintance

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    Hi OP, I am confused:

    If you are only seeking "decent" sound, why change anything?
     

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