Power Amplifiers

Parasound New Classic 5250v.2 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier

Introduction

Parasound builds many audio products such as amps, tuners, preamps, and products for custom installations. As well their products can be found in many movie studios, including Lucasfilm and Pixar, you can even see their name in the credits for Star Wars. As well they are known for their highly regarded stereo products designed by John Curl.

Their New Classic line has been around for many years and Parasound has released an updated five channel amplifier from this line, named the 5250v.2 which is a powerful and rugged THX Ultra-2 Five channel amplifier. Touted as an upgrade to your AVR (audio-video receiver) this 250 watt/channel amplifier is capable of taking your system to the next level.

The original 5250 which was produced and sold from 2005 to 2011, also provided 250 watts into 8ohms, had 45amps of peak current and was a fully discrete design using dual toroid transformers. The new 5250v.2 takes all that, and adds gain controls, addition gain stages for each channel, and updated with more durable parts allowing the amp to handle more torturous conditions, such as equipment closets*. Visually it remains unchanged and the amp has an understated two-tone black/dark gray finish with 5 numbered leds indicating channel operation and status. Around back you find gain pots, single-ended RAC inputs only, and rugged binding posts. Both versions are THX Ultra 2 certified.

*To test this I ran the 5250v.2 in an enclosed cabinet with both my Denon AVR and a PS3 for an extended listening session, and at no times did it overheat and ran cooler than the Denon AVR.