About the Parasound Halo A 23+
A robust power amplifier
A robust power amplifier
Parasound's Halo A 23+ offers high-end performance in a slim, rack-mountable chassis. This amplifier delivers 160 watts per channel, and it's stable at low impedance, so it can drive just about any pair of speakers you might wish to hook up. In bridged mode, it brings the hammer, putting out 500 watts into a single channel. All that power comes from a beefy toroidal transformer and a high-bias Class A/AB amplifier design.
This amplifier pairs up nicely with Parasound's P 6 stereo preamp for a sweet-sounding two-channel music system.

The large toroidal transformer inside Parasound's Halo A 23+ delivers 160 watts of clean power to drive your speakers.
Class A/AB operation for smoother sound
You don't see a Class A/AB amplifier every day, so let's break down the benefits.
Engineers and audiophiles generally agree that Class A designs offer the purest sound, but they tend to run hot and take up a lot of space. As a result, home audio amplifiers often use a compromise known as Class AB, which hands off part of the audio signal to a different set of output transistors at high power levels. AB can sacrifice a bit of signal purity, but it lets the amp run cooler and more efficiently.
So this Class A/AB amp operates in pure Class A mode up to a higher power level than most other amplifiers in its price category, before the second set of transistors kick in. The result is a sound that's smoother, less fatiguing, and more natural.
Convenient connections
On the back panel are balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs for each channel, and each has its own individual gain control knob and loop output. There are also binding posts for connecting a pair of speakers. The amp can be rack mounted using the included ears.
The legacy of John Curl
The A 23+ features circuitry designed by John Curl, a legend in audio engineering. He started his career in the 1970s, designing tape and video recorders at Ampex, and he had a hand in building the Grateful Dead's famous Wall of Sound. Curl has worked with Parasound since 1989, designing all of their high-power amplifiers and more. The power supply, transistors, capacitors and other parts in the A 23+ were chosen to offer high performance at a reasonable price.
Product highlights:
- 160 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.06% THD with 2 channels driven
- 240 watts x 2 into 4 ohms
- 500 watts x 1 at 8 ohms in bridged mode
- designed by legendary audio engineer John Curl
- high-bias Class A/AB amplifier design
- large toroidal transformer
- frequency response: 5-100,000 Hz (-3dB)
- signal-to-noise ratio: 112 dB
- left and right balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs
- individual gain control for each channel
- RCA loop outputs for each channel
- allows input signal from one channel to be daisy-chained to the other channel's RCA input
- 5-way binding post speaker connectors
- in bridged mode, only the right binding posts are used
- switchable turn-on options: manual, signal sensing, or 12-volt trigger
- detachable power cord
- rack mounting ears included
Dimensions and warranty:
- 17-1/4"W x 4-1/8"H x 17"D (2U rack spaces)
- weight: 27 lbs.
- warranty: 5 years
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # A 23 + SILVER
REVIEWS
Customer reviews
Loading reviews...
Thanks for submitting your review
Customer photos
More details on the Parasound Halo A 23+

Features & specs
General | ||
---|---|---|
Number of Channels | 2 | |
Power Output per Channel (8 ohms) | 160 | |
Power Output per Channel (6 ohms) | --- | |
Power Output per Channel (4 ohms) | 240 | |
Frequency Response | 5-100k | |
THD | 0.06% | |
Minimum Impedance | 4 | |
Bridged Power per Channel | 500 watts | |
Speaker Outputs | 2 | |
THX Certification | --- | |
Width (inches) | 17-1/4 | |
Height (inches) | 4-1/8 | |
Depth (inches) | 17 | |
Weight | 27 pounds | |
Parts Warranty | 5 years | |
Labor Warranty | 5 years | |
Inputs & Outputs | ||
Number of Inputs | 4 | |
Level Controls | Yes | |
Speaker Connectors | Posts |
Loading accessories...
Customer Q&A
Loading articles...