2. amps-preamps
  3. 131348-164

Parasound Halo Integrated.

Hi all, I need some help. I just bought a used one for use in a second system. One of the reasons I decided upon it was the fact that I thought it supported Airplay. I was looking to stream to it wirelessly from my Macbook Pro. I was thinking I could hook it into my home network and that would be all I needed to do. Obviously that's not the case so I hoping someone is in a similar situation and could lend me a hand in finding a way to stream to it wirelessly. Thanks in advance!!
michaela
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd
1,631 posts
 
My wife's favorite racing red LS50s are being driven by a chain of Ayre electronics, QX-5 D/A processor, KX-5 preamp, and VX-5 amp, all Twenty series.  But previously it was a Cary Cinema 12 and Parasound A 21.  We haven't experienced harshness or brightness with either.

At the point alluded to in my 9/17 post, the Ayre chain will drive my KEF Reference 107/2s or, perhaps, Blade 2.

db
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
I had my Halo Integrated with LS50s for about 2 months.  It was a wonderful match.  Everything sounded extremely neutral, with perfect balance.

I was however not impressed with the Halo's phono stage, or DAC, compared to my separates.  I ended up selling the Halo, only because I felt I wasn't getting complete use of everything it offered.
213runnin
914 posts
 
Ah, but of course you are missing the all important details.  What DAC and separate phono stage sounded better you yourself?
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
@213runnin The phono stages were an iFi iPhono2 and a PS Audio NPC, and the DAC was Wyred4Sound DAC2se.
213runnin
914 posts
 
Thank you, those components are indeed pretty special, and I'm not surprised that the Halo Integrated couldn't match them.  My DAC and separate phono pre are pretty basic stuff so I might see an upgrade in SQ all the way around.  Schiit Mani and Bifrost Multibit.  
More to discover