Parasound Heeds Custom's Call With New Classic Series
Staff -- TWICE, 3/21/2005
San Francisco — Parasound will pay more attention to the custom-installation market with its New Classic series, which comprises a 7.1-channel surround controller and five amplifiers.
Installer-focused features on the 7100 surround controller include one fixed and two programmable 12-volt trigger outputs, a two-way RS-232 port, two external IR repeaters, rack-mounting kit and PC setup software to simplify system configuration and back-up settings.
Installation features on the high-current Class AB amplifiers include DC trigger inputs with looping output, adjustable-sensitivity audio-signal sensing for automatic on/off, and rack-mount kits. Two-channel models add 20/40Hz 18dB/octave high-pass filter that can be switched, which protects the amps in distributed-audio systems that use autoformers. The filter also improves efficiency and performance when the amps drive in-wall speakers mounted in drywall, where the company said amp power below 40Hz is wasted.
All products but one amp have begun shipping. All are positioned as offering high value and high performance.
The 7100 controller carries a $3,000 suggested retail price and is THX Ultra2-certified. It features Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6, inputs for up to 10 audio and video sources, hybrid digital/analog bass management to optimize headroom while reducing noise and distortion, component-video up-conversion, 100MHz component ins and outs, A/V sync delay, backlit universal/learning remote and 192kHz/24-bit DACs.
Four of five amps are THX Ultra2-certified. The THX-certified models are the five-channel $1,800 5125 and $2,500 5250 and two-channel $700 2125 and $1,200 2250. The five-channel models deliver 5x125 and 5x250 continuous watts per channel with all channels driven simultaneously into 8 ohms. With 4-ohm loads, they deliver 185 and 385 watts per channel, respectively, all channels driven. The three two-channel models are stable to 2 ohms and can be bridged for both 4-ohm and 8-ohm mono loads. The two THX-certified two-channel models are rated at 2x125 and 2x250 watts. The third two-channel amp is rated at 2x75 watts and retails for $500.
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