Parasound's NewClassic 200 integrated amplifier is just 2-1/2" tall, but it packs a lot of features into that space-saving chassis. It delivers 110 watts per channel into an 8- or 4-ohm load, so you can use it with a wide variety of speakers. It's great for music listening, but it also offers a convenient set of bypass inputs, so you can use it in conjunction with a surround sound receiver or processor to drive the front left/right speakers in a home theater system, too.
Convenient connections
This amp offers three unbalanced RCA inputs for connecting analog sources. Input 1 is switchable, so you can use it as a line input or as a phono stage for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. The NewClassic 200 has a built-in DAC that makes digital sources sound great — there are single optical and coaxial inputs on the back panel, plus a USB Type-B port for connecting a computer. The 3.5mm auxiliary input on the front panel is designed for playing music from a portable audio player.
In addition to a pair of binding post speaker terminals, there are main preamp and subwoofer outputs. If you have a sub in your system, you can switch on the adjustable high-pass crossover. That way, the amplifier will only reproduce frequencies that aren't covered by your sub, giving you the most efficient use of your available power.
Product highlights
110 watts x 2 channels into 4 or 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.05% THD
4-ohm capability allows use with a wide range of speakers
Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converter for high-performance playback of digital sources
Class D amplifier design
home theater bypass inputs for surround sound integration
switchable high-pass crossover with variable settings (20-140 Hz)
affects speaker-level outputs and main preamp outputs
front-panel multi-function input knob also controls treble, bass, balance and subwoofer volume
frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz (+0/-0.05dB)
signal-to-noise ratio: 100dB (line); 110dB (digital)
dimmable front panel LCD display
remote control included
rack mountable with the optional RMK 11 kit
detachable power cord
Connections
1 optical and 1 coaxial digital audio input (up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution)
USB Type-B input for connecting a computer (up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution)
three stereo RCA audio inputs
input 1: switchable line/phono stage for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges
front-panel 3.5mm auxiliary input for connecting a portable audio player
shared with rear analog input 3 - plugging source into front panel aux disables rear analog input 3
bypass inputs
stereo RCA inputs allow amplifier section to power front left/right speakers in a surround sound system
connected preamp/processor must have a volume control
dual mono RCA subwoofer inputs route processor's subwoofer signal to integrated amp's subwoofer outputs
built-in headphone amplifier with front-panel 3.5mm jack
stereo RCA main preamp output
fixed stereo RCA record out
dual mono RCA subwoofer outputs
output 1: subwoofer only (low pass filter <80 Hz)
output 2: full range mono output for subwoofer or mono listening area
heavy-duty gold-plated speaker terminals
12-volt trigger output
IR remote input
RS-232 port for third-party remote control
Dimensions and warranty
17-1/4"W x 2-1/2"H x 16-3/4"D (1U rack space)
weight: 11.5 lbs.
