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Affordable High-Performance Preamp

The Parasound NewClassic 200 Pre two-channel preamplifier represents a new generation of affordable, high performance audio products from Parasound. At the heart of the 200 Pre is an all-analog signal path which includes analog bass management with high and low pass outputs.

The NewClassic 200 Pre has connections for just about any source including an MM/MC phono input, home theater bypass, USB, Coax, optical and a front panel Aux with an automatic 12dB gain bump. The built in DAC features a Burr-Brown IC, and the circuitry is pulled directly out of the award-winning Halo P5.

Convenience and Ci features include turn-on volume preset, a favorite volume setting, two-way RS232 serial port, rear panel IR input and 12V output trigger. The front panel LCD display allows the input names to be changed and provides for easy control. The back-lit remote provides adjustment of the bass, treble, subwoofer trim, subwoofer on/off and balance.

Built-in DAC

The Parasound NewClassic 200 Pre is ready to bring you maximum enjoyment from your digital music files. It incorporates a very high quality state-of-the-art DAC using circuitry from the highly regarded Halo P 5 preamp. This DAC can process a wide range of digital sources with its coaxial and optical inputs accepting up to 192 kHz rates, and the USB input accepts up to 96 kHz.

The NewClassic 200 Pre's Cirrus Logic Digital Receiver scrubs the digital clock to attenuate jitter not only for the USB but for all inputs. This enables its acclaimed Burr-Brown PCM1798 DAC to achieve outstanding, natural sound quality for all of your digital sources.

Line-level Sources Plus a Phono Input

The 200 features a pure analog signal path for the analog inputs plus input level matching (offset +/- 8dB per input) to keep input levels similar from your source gear. The analog inputs consist of one phono in, two line level inputs, and L, R, and subwoofer bypass inputs. A front panel 3.5mm mini jack is perfect for portable audio players or smartphones. The outputs consist of full-range stereo preamp output jacks, a full-range mono preamp output jack, and an 80 Hz mono low-pass subwoofer output jack.

And since vinyl has once again become a big part of home hi-fi, Parasound includes the same high-quality built-in phono stage that is used in the Halo P 5 preamp. The phono input is compatible with all moving magnet cartridges, and virtually all moving coil cartridges, with a 100 ohm/47k ohm switch to select the appropriate load impedance matching.

Headphone jacks are an afterthought on many other manufacturers' hi-fi gear, but this has never been true of Parasound. The 200 Pre includes a newly designed dedicated headphone stage for the best in private listening with your favorite pair of 'phones.

Home Theater Bypass and Analog Bass Management

The 200 is the perfect partner with your home theater system. The left-channel, right channel, and sub bypass inputs simplify integration with a surround sound system or a Sonos Connect. Analog bass management includes a 12 dB/octave high-pass crossover, adjustable from 20 Hz to 140 Hz plus an 80 Hz mono low-pass subwoofer output.

Product Features

Overview

Burr-Brown DAC IC (same as the Halo P 5)
USB (96kHz), Optical & Coax (192kHz) inputs
Phono input for MM or MC cartridges
Pure analog signal path for all analog inputs
Analog bass management includes 12 dB/octave high-pass crossover, adjustable 20 Hz-140 Hz
Full-range stereo preamp output jacks
Full-range mono preamp output jack
80Hz mono low-pass subwoofer output jack
Dedicated headphone amplifier
L, R & Sub Bypass inputs simplify integration with a surround sound system or a Sonos® Connect
Input level matching (offset +/- 8dB per input)
Remote control subwoofer level adjustment
Subwoofer on/off by remote
Default turn-on volume memory
Remote control favorite volume memory button
Remote control of Bass, Treble, Left-Right Balance
Front panel LCD display with dimmer
2-way RS-232 control with exact volume feedback
Assign a name for each input
12 V trigger output
Rear panel IR input
Automatic 12dB boost for front panel Aux input
Ball bearing supported solid aluminum volume knob
1U rack mount kit, sold separately
Backlit full-size remote control
Quality detachable IEC AC power cord
Rear panel AC master switch
0.5W standby power consumption

Connectivity

USB, optical, and coax digital inputs
Phono input for MM or MC cartridges
Left and right RCA preamp outputs
Mono Full range RCA preamp output
80 Hz low pass subwoofer RCA output
Fixed level preamp record RCA output
Headphone out with dedicated headphone amplifier

Product Specs

Frequency Response

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

Total Harmonic Distortion (20Hz - 20kHz)

< 0.03%

Interchannel Crosstalk

75dB at 20kHz

Input Sensitivity

250mv = 1V output
Total gain = 12dB (volume set to 100)
Unity Gain = Volume set to 76
Maximum output = 3.5V

Phono Stage Sensitivity / Input Impedance

MM: 40dB / 47kΩ
MC: 50dB / 100Ω

Phono Stage Input Capacitance

150pF Line Level Input Impedance: 24k Ohms

Output Impedance

470 Ohms

S/N Ratio – Line Inputs

>100dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
>90dB, input shorted, unweighted

S/N Ratio – Digital Inputs

> 100dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
> 90dB, input shorted, unweighted

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

12Vdc, 50mA

AC Power Requirement

10 Watts maximum
< 0.5 Watts in standby
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
Rack mounting requires the RMK-11 rack mount kit (sold separately)

Weight

Net: 11 lbs (5 kg)

Product Warranty

Parts & Labor

2 Years

2 Years for Moving Parts, Remote Controls, Lasers, Front Panel Displays and Video Screens

Parasound Warranty Information

Product Manual

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"I really enjoyed the time I spent with the Parasound NewClassic 200 Pre. I consider its $999 price a bargain for what proved to be a wonderful preamplifier that includes a quality phono stage for moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges; a quality DAC; and a host of other features, many of which, such as the subwoofer outputs, I did not have time to explore. And, again, I go back to my experience of great reliability from this brand. Every Parasound product I have bought still works without ever giving me a single problem."

- Byron Baba, Constantine Soo's Dagogo, April 2022