Parasound newclassic 200 pre or a Halo P 5?

Yes, so what's really better: discontinued top of the line, or just out standard line?

Wow, lots of good advice!  I also came to the conclusion that buying used, I can't get too badly burned.  In my searching, I've come across a P6, which is the current offering, for $950 vs $700 for the P5, new P6 retail is around $1500, so it seems like a good price.  P6 supposedly offers a better DAC, better volume control, extra optical input and higher gain for MC phono over the P5. Again, thanks everyone for the input!

Emotiva offers a preamp (BasX PT 100)that's only $300 with built in DAC, Phono, etc. but I have reservations.  

I do like the features it has, but of course it needs to sound good!  Was it quiet?  And, would you say it was as good as other preamps with similar features in the the <$1000 range?  

I believe you're a experienced audiophile,  while I'm just getting my feet wet!  I do know I don't like to hear background hiss or hum, so that is important to me.  I don't doubt it wouldn't sound as good as other pre amps which were not a feature rich as you say, yet it might be fine at this point for me.  If you don't mind saying, it would be interesting to know what pre amp did you replaced when you got the P5, and what did you replace that P5 with?  Again, thanks for sharing you opinion!

Yes, I think I want analog, and phono inputs; but maybe I should rethink.  Any suggestions?  I have a pending purchase of a Parasound P6.