Surround Processor Reviews

Connections
Inputs: RCA (5)
Outputs: Five-way binding posts (5)
Additional: 12-volt triggers

Features
Number of Channels: 5
Power Rating (watts per channel): 250, into 8 ohms
Frequency Response: –3 dB from 20 Hz to 50 kHz
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 7.5 x 17.25 x 18.5
Weight (pounds): 69
Price: $2,500

These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

HT Labs Measures: Parasound 5250 Amplifier

All channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads: 0.1% distortion at 271.0 watts 1% distortion at 298.1 watts

Frequency response:
–0.70 dB at 10 Hz;
–0.20 dB at 20 Hz
–0.16 dB at 20 kHz;
–0.91 dB at 50 kHz

This graph shows that the 5250's left amplifier channel, with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1% distortion at 287.7 watts and 1% distortion at 325.6 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1% distortion at 404.5 watts and 1% distortion at 546.5 watts. An input level of 98.50 millivolts was required to produce an output of 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load, indicating an overall gain of 29.17 decibels.

THD+N from the amplifier was less than 0.004% at 1 kilohertz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –96.27 dB left to right and –91.46 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with 2.83 volts driving an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with "A" weighting was –114.97 dBrA.—MJP