Parasound Halo A 31 3-Channel 250W Power Amplifier, THX Ultra2, John Curl

The Parasound Halo A 31 is a three-channel power amplifier designed by John Curl, delivering 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 400 watts into 4 ohms with all three channels driven simultaneously. It is THX Ultra2 certified and is designed to serve as the dedicated front-stage amplifier in a home cinema system, handling left, centre, and right channels from any AV receiver or processor with pre-outs.

The circuit uses high-bias Class A/AB operation, with the first 7 watts per channel in pure Class A before transitioning to AB. A direct-coupled signal path contains no capacitors or inductors. Twenty-four beta-matched 15 ampere, 60 MHz bipolar output transistors per channel, a 1.5 kVA toroidal transformer with independent secondary windings per channel, and 98,400 microfarads of filter capacitance provide 60 amps of peak current on demand. ProHiFi is an authorised Parasound dealer in India.

Balanced XLR and gold-plated RCA inputs are provided for each of the three channels, with adjustable gain of up to plus 6dB over THX Reference level for system matching flexibility. Heavy-duty 24k gold-plated 5-way speaker terminals, DC servo and relay protection, and auto turn-on by 12V trigger or audio sensing complete the feature set. The 4U chassis includes carry handles and a rack mounting adapter.

SoundStage! Access awarded it a Reviewers' Choice, calling its sound clear and detailed with a touch of warmth that made it a joy to listen to. Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity called it a wonderful amplifier that stayed out of the way and let the music speak, impeccably built and beautiful in appearance. Stereophile described remarkable definition, clean luminous sound, and firm extended bass that never lacked for power.

Key Features

• 250W x 3 into 8 ohm; 400W x 3 into 4 ohm; all channels driven
• THX Ultra2 certified; designed by John Curl
• High-bias Class A/AB; first 7W per channel in pure Class A
• Direct-coupled; no capacitors or inductors in signal path
• 60A peak current per channel; slew rate greater than 130 V/microsecond
• 24 beta-matched 15A/60MHz bipolar output transistors per channel
• 1.5 kVA toroidal transformer; 98,400 microfarad filter capacitance
• Balanced XLR and gold-plated RCA inputs for all 3 channels
• Adjustable gain up to plus 6dB over THX Reference level
• Heavy-duty 24k gold-plated 5-way speaker terminals
• Auto turn-on by 12V trigger or audio signal; 4U chassis with rack adapter
• 445 x 194 x 508mm; 29.5kg; Black or Silver
• SoundStage! Access Reviewers' Choice; Secrets of HT Recommended; Stereophile Reviewed

Warranty:

3-year manufacturer's warranty

Why Consider the Parasound Halo A 31

The A 31 is the right choice for home cinema listeners who want to give their front three speakers, the channels that carry the most critical content in any film or multichannel music mix, dedicated reference-grade amplification. The THX Ultra2 certification confirms the sustained power delivery required for large room reference playback, and the 60 amps of peak current ensures the front stage never sounds compressed or strained on even the most demanding material. Paired with a Parasound A 52+ for surround channels, or used alongside a JC 5 for bi-amped front mains with a dedicated centre channel, the A 31 builds naturally into a complete Parasound Halo multichannel system. SoundStage! and Secrets of Home Theater independently confirmed that the price does not reflect the performance level.

Ideal for

• Home cinema systems dedicating amplification to the three front channels
• THX Ultra2 certified installations requiring verified reference performance
• Systems pairing with a Parasound A 52+ for complete 5 or 7 channel separation
• AV receivers and processors with three-channel pre-outs
• Demanding speaker loads requiring 60A peak current per channel
• Rack-mounted installations needing a 4U chassis with carry handles

Technical Specifications