• PRESS RELEASE

    For immediate release:

    Parasound Introduces a 250-Watt Three-channel Home Theater Power Amplifier in its High-end Halo Series.


    San Francisco (1/9/12) -- Parasound has added a powerful new three-channel power amplifier to its premium Halo product family. The THX Ultra2 certified Parasound Halo A 31, which is rated at 250 RMS watts per channel, is sonically identical to the company's renowned five-channel Halo A 51 and two-channel Halo A 21 amplifiers.
    The A 31 was developed for Parasound customers who want their surround systems to include uncompromised reproduction of stereo music. The A 31 is ideal for this because it also provides matched amplification for the center channel speaker.
    Here are some of the practical applications for the A 31:
    Powering the C, LS, and RS channel speakers when a separate two-channel amplifier (or pair of monoblocks) is used for the L and R channel speakers. For L, C, and R “one wall” theater systems without surround speakers. Powering the LS, RS, and single backchannel speaker in a 6.1 system."It’s interesting how history repeats itself," said Parasound's president, Richard Schram. "In the earliest days of 5.1 home theater, we built two very popular three-channel amplifiers called the HCA-1203 and HCA-2003 that enabled people to repurpose their existing stereo systems for home theater surround sound. With today’s renewed interest in high-end two-channel, the A 31 offers a uniquely practical way to get the best of both worlds.”
    The Parasound Halo A 31 provides high-bias Class A/AB operation with pure Class A operation up to 7 watts per channel. It easily delivers 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 400 watts into 4 ohms, all channels driven. Exceptional sound quality is maintained with XLR balanced inputs as a step-up alternative to the RCA single-ended inputs. Parasound's traditional Halo topology employs matched pairs of complementary JFETs for its input-pre-driver stages, matched pairs of complementary MOSFETs in its driver stages and 8 beta-matched 15 amp, 60 MHz bipolar output transistors for each channel.
    The A 31 is direct-coupled and uses no capacitors or inductors in the signal path with full power output down to 5 Hz. The loudspeakers are connected via heavy-duty 24k gold-plated five-way speaker terminals, and each is relay protected.
    The power supply consists of a 1.35kVA encapsulated toroid power transformer with independent secondary windings for each channel. Power stability is maintained by four premium power-supply filter capacitors per channel totaling 94,000µF and protected by DC servos and relay protection circuits.
    The Parasound A 31 provides a gain control for each channel offering ±6db relative to the THX reference level. This enables the A 31 to play louder in very large rooms and facilitates level matching with other amplifiers. Other features include: auto turn-on options by an audio signal with a threshold adjust or a 12v trigger with input and loop-out jacks plus indicators for AC power, channel status, and high temperature. The heavy-duty 4u chassis has rear carry handles, and an included rack-mounting adaptor. The front panel is anodized aluminum.
    The Parasound Halo A 31 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $3,499.
    About Parasound: Founded in 1981, Parasound Products, Inc., is a privately owned U.S. company that specializes in providing affordable audio and home theater components to the critical listener. Parasound's products are available from quality audio/video retailers and select custom installation specialists in over 50 countries. For more information, visit www.parasound.com or call 415-397-7100.# # #


Parasound Products Inc.

2250 McKinnon Avenue San Francisco, CA 94124 415-397-7100 www.parasound.com