Densen have introduced an updated version of their B-250 preamplifier called the B-250 XS.
Improvements include a volume control using an attenuator made of Vishay metal film resistors switched by relays controlled by the microprocessor which Densen say has virtually no self-induced noise and extremely low distortion. The attenuator has 200 steps for precise control of the volume.
The new preamplifier also has sockets on board for the SA Board for surround and the DP-03 MM phonostage. The SA boards (Surround Audio Boards) are an add on for the B-250XS and will give 5.1/7.1 line input and line preout meaning you can connect a surround processor, DVD player, or SACD player.
On the back panel of the B-250XS there is a socket for use with internal DAC which Densen will soon be introducing. It will have USB, Toslink and coaxial digital inputs which you will be able to control from the Gizmo remote and from the pre’s front panel.
Parasound has announced the addition of a new 2.1 channel preamplifier to its Halo product line( Jerry reviewed the 
Halo A21 amp some time ago giving it a Recommended award). The new Halo P 5 replaces the Halo P 3 preamplifier adding a DAC with coaxial, optical and USB inputs. Also included is a subwoofer output, home theatre bypass, phonostage and a motorised volume pot.
Inputs include one pair of balanced XLRs, phono, five stereo RCA inputs and a 3.5mm mini jack on the front panel so you can plug in your iPod or mobile phone. Outputs are balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA and a choice of balanced/unbalanced subwoofer outputs.
The onboard phonostage will cope with moving magnet cartridges and pretty much all moving coil cartridges with a 100ohm/47 ohm switch for impedance matching.
Available in September the price will be $950 which would appear to be a good price for such a well loaded product.
An increasing number of music lovers use their computers to store and play music, yet still want better sound and more flexibility. The new Alpha Design Labs Esprit, aimed at audiophiles who wants “higher performance and increased flexibility” offering as it does 24 bit/192 kHz, a digital preamplifier and a headphone amplifier.
The Esprit is designed around the 24 bit/192 kHz Wolfson WM8716 DAC and the CIRRUS LOGIC CS5361 24/192 analogue to digital converter. It features optical, coaxial, USB and 2 analogue inputs. The USB output can be used for recording to hard disk and the S/PDIF output will support digital surround sound formats from allowing surround material stored on a hard drive to be played through a suitable digital surround decoder. More »
