Parasound has launched a 12-channel amplifier for custom installers building multi-room audio and modular home theater systems, especially Dolby Atmos. The Parasound ZoneMaster 1250 universal amplifier was first shown in prototype form at CEDIA EXPO in September, and the company has been shipping since late November.
Parasound has launched a 12-channel amplifier for custom installers building multi-room audio and modular home theater systems, especially Dolby Atmos.
It uses a Class AB input stage and premium Class D power stage to achieve sonic performance consistent with Parasound’s audiophile heritage, and to meet the growing demand for quality and dependability from industry professionals. With six independent oversized power supplies the Parasound ZoneMaster 1250 is unconditionally stable into 2-ohm loads enabling total output power in excess of 1,200 watts RMS with all channels driven. Each channel is rated at 50 watts into 8 ohms, or 90 watts into 4 ohms, and channel pairs can be bridged to provide 6 x 160 watts or 6 x 200 watts with 8- or 4-ohm speakers. It has the potential to bi-amp speakers for up to 400 watts per speaker. The combination of high power and low impedance stability allows for A and B speaker outputs for each channel providing easy connection of up to 24 speakers, and its 2U chassis saves precious rack space and the cost of additional amplifiers.
“In terms of sound quality, build quality, and configuration options, the ZoneMaster Model 1250 is a game-changer in a category populated by cheaply built IC chip amplifiers,” said President, Richard Schram. “It is as useful for distributed audio as it is for home theater, where it could augment an AV receiver with 3 x 200 watts plus 4 x 90 watts or as a terrific single-chassis amplifier solution for Dolby Atmos.
“At CEDIA we were deluged by dealers and installers who need higher quality products than they have been finding in the marketplace,” continued Schram. “Poor reliability is a huge issue for installers, and they are wasting their time and losing serious money on repeated service calls for typical appliance-grade amplifiers. With the ZoneMaster 1250, both installers and their clients are assured of the high sound quality and reliability that are Parasound hallmarks.”
For applications throughout a home, the Parasound ZoneMaster 1250 can easily drive three high power premium stereo systems with 200 watts per channel, six stereo zones, or 24 in-wall or ceiling speakers for music in every room of the house. It is also a great fit for home theater, where this single component can be used in combinations of bridged and unbridged channels to easily drive a full home theater system. The 1250 is ideally suited for driving the individual modules of the new Dolby Atmos theater system.
There are independent line inputs and level controls for each channel. There are two Bus inputs with looping outputs, plus a speaker-level input that can be routed to any zone. There are independent 12-volt and audio triggers with looping 12-volt trigger outputs for each zone, and a global 12-volt trigger.
Detachable Phoenix-style speaker connectors accept up to 12-gauge wire. Rack mounting hardware is included in the box. The Model 1250 offers exceptionally “green” power consumption with 0.5 watt standby power consumption to meet Energy Star and European Union specifications.
The Parasound ZoneMaster Model 1250 is now available from Parasound dealers with an MSRP of $1,995.
