Parasound Halo HINT6 Integrated Amplifier

One Box, Total Control Over Music and Movies

The Parasound HINT 6 is a do‑it‑all integrated amplifier that unites a high‑end ESS Sabre32 DAC, MM/MC phono stage, headphone amp, and 160 W per channel into one elegant chassis. It’s compact yet commanding—equally at home with vinyl, high‑res streaming, or movie night.

Based on John Curl’s Class A/AB amplifier design, the HINT 6 delivers 160 W x2 into 8 Ω (240 W x2 into 4 Ω), includes an ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9018K2M) DAC with USB up to 32‑bit/384 kHz and DSD256, and adds Home Theater Bypass with balanced XLR alongside multiple digital/analog inputs. Clean power, real flexibility.

Praised by audiophiles and reviewers alike

• “The Hint 6 worked well with every speaker I threw at it… Recommended.” — Stereophile
• “One of the best bargains right now in the high‑end amplifier category.” — ecoustics 
• “Bass is deep and tuneful, midrange pleasingly articulate, highs crisp…” — What Hi‑Fi? 

Awards & Recognition

• Stereophile — Recommended Components (Fall 2019)
• Audiophilia — Star Component Award (Apr 14, 2023)

Specifications: 

Power Output - (0.9% THD)
(Both channels driven, 20 Hz - 20 kHz)
180 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω RMS
270 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω RMS

Power Output - (0.05% THD)
(Both channels driven, Thank 20 Hz - 20 kHz)
160 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω RMS
240 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω RMS

Current Capacity
45 amps peak per channel

Frequency Response
10 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
< 0.01 %, average listening levels
< 0.05 %, 160 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω

Interchannel Crosstalk
> 70 dB at 20 kHz
> 78 dB at 1 kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio - IHF A-weighted
Line in: - 103 dB (input shorted)
Digital in: - 106 dB

Amplifier Damping Factor
> 800 at 20 Hz

Preamplifier Stage Input Sensitivity
300 mV in for 1 V at Preamp Output jacks
Total Preamp Stage Gain: 10 dB
Max Output Unbalanced: 7 V
Max Output Balanced: 9 V

Power Amplifier Stage Sensitivity
1 V at Bypass/Amp In for 28 V at Speaker Out
Total Amp Stage Gain: 28 dB

Phono Stage Sensitivity / Input Impedance
MM: 41 dB / 47 k Ω
MC: 54 dB / 47 k Ω or 100 Ω

High & Low Pass Crossover Slope
12 dB per octave

Supported DAC Sampling Rates
USB: up to 384 kHz / 32-bit PCM
DSD Native: DSD 64, DSD 128, DSD 256
DSD over PCM (DoP) at 384 kHz

Coax/Optical: up to 192 kHz / 24-bit PCM

Digital to Analog Converter
ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9018K2M
384 kHz / 32-bit

USB 2.0 Controller
Savitech SA9227, 384 kHz / 32-bit

Headphone Amplifier
Texas Instruments TPA6120A
Output Impedance 10 ohms

XLR Pin Identification
1 = Ground (Shield)
2 = Positive
3 = Negative (Return)

Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 24 k Ω
Balanced: 100 k Ω per leg

Preamplifer Output Impedance
Unbalanced: 100 Ω
Balanced: 470 Ω per leg

Dimensions
Width: 17-1/4" (437 mm)
Depth: 16-1/4" (413 mm)
Depth, with cables 17-1/4" (437 mm)
Height, with feet: 5-7/8" (150 mm)
Height, without feet: 5-1/4" (133 mm), 3U

Net Weight
33 lb. (15 kg)

Shipping Weight
45 lb. (20.4 kg)

Power Requirement
Standby: 0.5 watts
Idling power: 70 watts
Maximum: 750 watts
110-125 VAC 60 Hz or 220-250 VAC 50 Hz
AC mains voltage is set on rear panel