Parasound Halo JC-3+ Phono Preamplifier for MM and MC

Description

MY TAKE:

Glorious phono preamp! Buy it, you'll be VERY happy. - Galen Carol

The new JC 3+ phono preamplifier is an improved version of its acclaimed JC 3, both designed by John Curl, creator of the legendary Vendetta preamp. The Parasound Halo JC 3+ will feature independent variable MC load adjustment capability for each channel from 50-550 ohms using dual-gang potentiometers specially made for Parasound by Vishay. The JC 3+, is a dual-mono design with each channel is housed in its own extruded aluminum enclosure, and further isolated from the power supply with thick, low-carbon-steel partitions. With top-quality parts throughout (Curl notes that the passive EQ parts’ values and quality are the same as in his renowned Vendetta Research SCP2B phono.) With every rotation from an LP collection, the JC 3+ conveys a heady mix of profound silence and kick-butt energy, a kiss of romance through the mids, and an ability to extract low-level information and define it within acoustic space.

With Curl and circuit-board designer Carl Thompson, the JC 3+ has been seriously tweaked to further reduce its already silent background noise. The phono module boards now have 24 karat gold plated copper traces for the utmost in conductivity to provide exceptional transparency and detail in the music. The power supply has been significantly upgraded with 47% larger low ESD power supply filter capacitors. This provides a much greater current reserve for head-snapping dynamics. The R-core power transformer is 82% larger to provide greater reserve for low end impact that’s beyond imagination. Finally, the company is offering the ability to turn off illumination of the front panel P logo for those who want it.

JC 3 REVIEWS:

Michael Fremer reviewed the JC 3 in the March 2011 Stereophile, and writes: "At $2350 the Parasound JC3 is a remarkably fine phono preamp that easily held its own against the far costlier* competition.
I can confidently say that the JC3 represents the best current value in a phono preamp that I know of, as long as you can live with the limitation of a choice of only two loadings, 100 and 47k Ohms. Highly recommended!"
* The other three phono preamps in the comparison were priced at $10,600, $13,900 and $26,000. Pretty good company, wouldn't you say?

Enjoy The Music - "For the money, there is no question in my mind; what a truly great phono preamplifier this is. One could easily spend double its $2350 asking price in an effort to coax more out of one's vinyl collection. Before doing so the question you should ask is this: is it really worth it to you? If you are one of those serious vinyl collectors who do not mind spending in the range of ten thousand dollars or more on a turntable/arm/cartridge setup, a phono stages costing upwards of $5000 or even $10,000 might be what you would seek. There are some pretty good phono stages out there for those willing to spend the money but for many the JC 3 should be more than you need. Quite frankly, unless my associated gear was about to take an upgrade to another level entirely, the JC3 would give me no reason to seek a more expensive piece. The team at Parasound has produced a winner with the JC 3! With its many desirable features and high quality parts, those who seek vinyl playback nirvana would do well to put this one on their short list of quality audio components." - Anthony Nicosia

Tone Audio -"High build quality with simple but solid casework from a company you can trust and superlative sound make for excellence in our book. Hence, I am happy to give the Parasound JC 3 a TONEAudio Exceptional Value Award for 2011. Priced under $2,500, the unit is nothing short of a miracle." - Jeff Dorgay


The Absolute Sound - “The collaboration between Parasound and John Curl has been a gift to audiophiles on two fronts ­ components of remarkable sonic worthiness married to real-world price tags. And never more so than in the JC 3 - a full-chassis beauty that exemplifies Curl’s passion for the reproduction of LPs. Each channel of the JC 3 is housed in its own extruded aluminum enclosure in a fully isolated dual-mono layout. Sonically there’s a riveting balance of extremes at play here – a kiss of romance through the mids and highs and an ability to extract and define low-level information in acoustic space. Notes and images are fully embroidered with air and harmonics. Through the JC 3 there’s a warm breath of life in every musical image.” - The Absolute Sound

Stereophile Class A Recommended Component 2016

JC3+ Reviews:

Stereophile Recommended Component 2021 - "The Halo JC 3 is a true dual-mono design with a large R-core transformer power supply. Construction quality is first rate, top-shelf parts are used throughout, and the stout, heavy case is beautifully finished. Designer John Curl favored purity over adjustability, offering minimal loading options: 100 ohms or 47k ohms for moving-coil cartridges and 47k ohms for moving-magnet cartridges. Its fully direct-coupled RIAA equalization circuit is based on the circuit used in Curl's famed Vendetta Research SCP-2, while the JC 3's output stage is a true dual-differential, balanced design. In addition, the JC 3 has a built-in AC line conditioner, and its power supplies are modeled after those found in the extremely quiet Halo JC 2 line stage. Though it lacked the dynamics and transparency of either Pass Labs' XP-25 or Ypsilon's VPS-100, the JC 3 combined superb musical grip and control with a timbrally and texturally ideal midrange. "The JC 3 represents the best current value in a phono preamp that I know of," said MF. Though it also lacked the Sutherland 20/20's tonal richness and punchy sense of pace and drive, the Halo JC 3 produced a detail-rich sound with tight, extended lows, a clean midrange, and carefully drawn images on a huge, open soundstage. "If your tastes run to purity, clarity, neutrality, and detail, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better phono stage for anywhere near $2350," concluded BD, who recommended a Class A rating. The JC 3 sounded remarkably similar to BJR's reference, the Vendetta SCP-2, but lacked some high-frequency purity and ambience recovery. JA noted superb measured performance. Of the Halo JC 3+, which adds variable cartridge loading for the MC input, HR wrote: "The John Curl–designed Halo JC 3+ is the best commercially available phono preamplifier I've used—period." (Vol.34 Nos. 3 & 10, Vol.35 No.2, Vol.39 No.6)
 

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz, +/- 0.2dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.01% at 1kHz
• Signal to Noise Ratio, MM: > 87dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted, > 78dB, input shorted, unweighted
• Signal to Noise Ratio, MC: > 87dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted, > 67dB, input shorted, unweighted
• Interchannel Crosstalk: 72dB at 1kHz
• Input Impedance MM: 47k Ω, MC: 50 - 550Ω variable, 47k Ω fixed
• Output Impedance: Unbalanced: < 100Ω, Balanced: < 100Ω per leg
• Input Sensitivity at 1 kHz MM: 4mV for 1V output, MC: 600μV for 1V output
• Total Gain: MM: 48dB, MC: 64dB
• XLR Pin Identification: 1 = Ground (Shield) 2 = Positive 3 = Negative (Return)
• AC Power Requirement: Standby: 1 watt, Power On: 12 watts 115 or 230 VAC 50 - 60 Hz (Selected on Chassis Bottom)
• Dimensions: Width: 17-1/4” (437mm) Depth: 13-3/4” (350mm) Height, with feet: 4-1/8” (105mm) Height, without feet: 3-1/2” (89mm)
• Weight: Net: 19 lbs. (8.6 Kg)
• Shipping: 26 lbs. (11.8 Kg)
• Rack Mount Accessory: HRA 2 (may be purchased separately)