84dB, input shorted unweighted, > 94dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted $1,200.00. For the vast majority of vinyl owners, Parasound’s JC 3 Jr. will stand the test of time and be a willing partner to cartridge or turntable upgrades that … iFi audio Launches Groundbreaking xDSD DAC/Amplifier, Schiit Audio Freya+ Preamplifier and Vidar Amplifier Review, PS Audio Stellar GainCell Preamp/DAC Review, Audio-gd Vacuum HE1 XLR Tube Preamplifier Review, Black Ice Fusion F11 Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier PREVIEW, JBL Synthesis Expands Award-winning SCL Loudspeaker Range With Four New Advanced Architectural Models, JBL Synthesis Caps Major Product Expansion by Introducing Flagship SCL-1 Loudspeaker and SSW-1 Subwoofer, Still Blown Away After All These Years: JBL Launches 75, The MediaLight Flex Mk2 6500K LED Bias Lighting System, G.E.M. Everything is separated out to avoid components talking to each other, out of turn. As it turned out there are lot more positives to the JC 3+ than variable loading. In addition the “+” reproduced more of the textural gradients of the harpsichord, while also further revealing the ambience encircling the keyboard. But choosing one or the other comes down to two issues. Secrets crowned his revised Halo Preamp, the Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier with a Best Of award. Parasound’s brand new Halo JC 3 Jr. phono preamplifier is a simplified version of the company’s award-winning flagship JC 3+ and they sound very similar. The new Parasound Halo JC 3 is a high-performance dual-mono phono preamplifier built with high quality parts, solid construction, and a very clean design. In a short interview accompanying my original JC 3 review Curl’s remarks turned out to be prescient: “Actually I think I underestimated the market. Writing for Secrets the last several years, Piero believes that a reviewer's duty is to inform and involve the reader into his audio experience rather than preach absolutes. Solid State Preamplifiers: $1850.00: NY Mar 26, 2020: 55 : FOR SALE: Parasound Halo JC3+ Phono Preamp Excellent Condition: Phono Preamplifiers: $2000.00: NY Mar 26, 2020: 56 : FOR SALE: Aural Thrills Audio Serenade all tube mm/mc phono amplifier Secondly, I didn’t get an edginess to the music – some might prefer that illusion of detail, I heard it to sound natural. Although John Curl is also touted for his Parasound amplifiers, his efforts with the original Halo JC 3 phono preamplifier were extraordinarily well-received and reviewed. A First, hats off to Parasound for not bowing to convention and badging its new, hot-rodded version of the original JC 3 phonostage with the shop-worn cliché “Reference” or “Signature Edition.” And second, and more importantly, if you’re a current owner of the Parasound JC 3 phonostage, don’t panic. Upgraded and enhanced, Parasound has added more than ‘go-faster’ stripes onto its new phono amplifier. Not much to look at frankly, the SCP-2 was coveted for its low noise floor – the essence of a phono preamplifier. John Coltrane’s Blue Train record is a good example of The Halo JC 3 Jr’s ability to articulate instruments, not only Coltrane’s tenor sax but the brassy and airy trumpet, the full trombone and the warmth of the piano. With the sterling reputation of its bigger brother, the JC 3+, this little guy has a lot to prove as issue of the genius mind of Curl. - Michael Fremer . More dimensional cues were revealed as well. This dual mono design has each channel contained in its own aluminium housing. Parasound JC3 Jr Halo Phono Preamplifier B-Stock Parasound. But then there are those unrepentant analog junkies prone to swapping exotic cartridges, and seeking resolution’s final word. That was perhaps the bad news, the good news is what still exists and what the Halo JC3 Jr offers: high quality resistors and capacitors keep the RIAA tracking to within 0.2dB, 24k gold-plated RCA jacks, balanced and unbalanced outputs, variable MC impedance from 50 – 550 ohms, a switch for three gain settings, 40, 50, and 60dB. The Halo JC 2 Costing a not-unreasonable $4000, the Halo JC 2 is manufactured, like the JC 1, in Taiwan. E-Glo S Tube Phono Preamplifier Review. The solo violin was sweeter—warmer and simultaneously a little quicker off the mark—and the full weight and micro-dynamic expression of the string section were more keenly expressed. Shipping: 19 lbs. the Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier with a Best Of award. Lastly, the only other button on the face of the unit is a mono switch, for playing older recordings, or re-releases of mono recorded music. In most systems, the difference would be hard to distinguish. The JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts and construction are more expensive. $54.99 shipping. This is accomplished by replacing the large gain modules used for each channel, with a single board combining the channels. It remains, in my view one of the most worthy phonostages on the market. First, hats off to Parasound for not bowing to convention and badging its new, hot-rodded version of the original JC 3 phonostage with the shop-worn cliché “Reference” or “Signature Edition.” And second, and more importantly, if you’re a current owner of the Parasound JC 3 phonostage, don’t panic. The Halo JC 3 Jr will not cut edges like a figure skater, (Olympics just ending, easy analogy) through the music, around voices and instruments. > 91dB, input shorted, unweighted, Unbalanced: < 100 Ω The Parasound Halo JC 3+ will be available in late January in both silver and black finishes, and have a suggested retail price of $2,995. © Copyright 2021 Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity /, Show Reports, Film Festivals and Concerts, McIntosh C2700 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier and MC462 Power Amplifier Review, Bluesound Powernode 2i Wireless Streaming Amplifier and Pulse Flex 2i Wireless Streaming Speaker Review, PS Audio Stellar Strata Integrated Amplifier Review, McIntosh MX170 Surround Sound Processor and MC257 7-Channel Power Amplifier Review, Sonus Faber Electa Amator III Speaker Review, What We Are Watching Vol. (8.6 kg), Parasound, Parasound Product, Products reviews, Parasound Review 2018. PARASOUND HALO JC PREAMPLIFIER SPECIFICATIONS. All rights reserved. In and around 2013, Parasound made some adjustments to the JC 3 with the JC 3+, adding MC cartridge, adjusting the circuit boards and power supply. This item looks like new from just a few feet away. The new model includes a whole raft of improvements over the original, beginning with variable MC load impedance adjustment of 50-550 ohms for each channel using dual gang potentiometers specially made for Parasound by Vishay. The immediate and obvious visual difference is the size, about 2” shorter. $220.15. Thirdly, the Halo JC 3 Jr is solid state, I would almost expect besides a lower noise floor, less distortion and more control. FOR SALE: Parasound Halo JC2 Preamplifier Class A Pre-Amp - SIlver - Near Excellent! The latter gives the sort of performance that some rivals struggle to beat at twice the price, so with its common parentage there’s a sporting chance this new baby will be good. You'll have to examine very closely to find any signs of wear. More settings as I mentioned above are afforded to an MC cartridge. At $2,350, the JC 3 is by no means an entry-level phonostage. E.A.T. Further validation of the JC 3+’s broader dynamic contrasts came during the “Winter” movement of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons [Argo]. It would be natural to compare the Halo Jr. to the original JC 3 and more recently the updated Halo JC 3+. Before joining Parasound to work with founder Richard Schram, John Curl became legendary for his Vendetta Research SCP-2 phono preamplifier. There are no wrong answers. As the melody ascended there was also the slightest reduction of the upper-frequency glare that would sometimes slip into the picture with the JC 3. I find the Halo JC 3 Jr outstanding for value and performance." They turned to Vishay, a top manufacturer of low-noise parts, which ultimately agreed to develop a potentiometer and manufacture it in small quantities for Parasound. Backgrounds are still eerily quiet, instrumental colors ripe, and channel separation exquisite. How Much Amplifier Power Does your Home Theater Need? The Absolute Sound’s Buyer’s Guide to Loudspeakers 2018. Parasound Halo JC 3 er på Stereophile’s Recommende Components Class A liste for 2014 og 2015 ! The design goals were ultra-high performance and low noise, in the spirit of Curl’s legendary Vendetta phono … I had no expectations, owning several Halo pieces including both amplifiers and preamplifiers, I immediately found that the JC 3 Jr sounded solidly neutral, in control. 24k gold plated copper traces on phono module boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the music. The lack of electronic noise and hash revealed a fuller expression of the inner dynamics of her voice, drawing more attention to the flutter of her vibrato as she sustained the lyric “And still be on my feet.” Les Brown Goes Direct to Disc [Century] is a clinic for big band dynamics and a challenge for any phonostage. But just so, I would have expected a tiny bit more sparkle at the top. David Gilmour’s lovely mellow and melodic album On an Island, features more than just his legendary guitar playing but some interesting sound effects that can be lost on an inferior phono preamplifier, not so with the Halo JC 3 Jr. Not only does the JC 3 grip the music, it pushes it forward, resolute and once again, articulate. Having the Parasound Halo P5 preamplifier, I did use the balanced outputs from the JC 3 Jr. After trying both unbalanced and balanced, I found the latter more open, slightly richer sounding. FeaturedParasoundParasound ProductParasound Review 2018Products reviews. Finally the new R-core power transformer is 82% larger to provide better bass performance. The story goes that during the design phase of the original JC 3, Curl had rejected variable-load adjustment due to the added noise intrinsic in potentiometers. Overall there was greater resolution of inner detail. Introduction to the Parasound Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier Review Seven years ago, Parasound asked legendary designer, John Curl, to create a phono preamplifier for its Halo line. With potentially so many factors involved in the evaluation of audio equipment, the results cannot possibly be "correct" for everyone - making the art of high fidelity extremely subjective. Parasound Halo JC3 Phono Preamplifier. Curl’s application of choice go-fast bits-and-tweaks adds up to speed and resolution improvements of consequence. I didn’t hear the JC 3 Jr adding a sonic signature, the essence of getting out of the way is what I did hear. So when Parasound prexy Richard Schram e-mailed me, after last year's Home Entertainment Show, to ask if he could drop round with a sample of his new, Curl-designed Halo JC 2 line preamplifier, he didn't need to twist my arm too much. Diana Krall’s, Quiet Nights is her bossa nova and jazz standards cover album that shows a softness to her voice, or maybe she was just in love with hubby Elvis Costello when she recorded it. Opening the case reveals two aluminum boxes, each marked “Single Channel Phono Stage.” FOR SALE: Parasound Halo JC3 Jr Black: Phono Preamplifiers: $1450.00: MB Dec 27, 2020: 2 : FOR SALE: Parasound Halo P 7 7.1 Channel Preamplifier (Silver) Solid State Preamplifiers: $2000.00: BC Dec 05, 2020 - 3 : DEALER AD: Parasound Halo P6 Preamplifier & DAC, Customer Trade, Only $1799: Solid State Preamplifiers: $1799.00: ON Dec 23, 2020 Piero Gabucci, a native of Alberta, Canada, is an architect living in northern New Jersey with his wife and two sons. JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier. Audiophile (Hong Kong) February 2018 "The Parasound JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono preamplifier. Having known the legendary John Curl's work since he did the JC2 Preamplifier for Levinson in 1972, a ground-breaking design for solid-state, and every bit as competitive as the tubed ARC SP-3a-1 of the era, I fearlessly replaced my current mega phono gear, both tube and solid-state, with the Parasound Halo JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamplifier, costing just $1495! The new Halo Jr had a nice balance across the spectrum – the mid-range especially taut. The trumpet solo was cleaner, alive with snappier transients and clearer decays. Where it once resided closer to the right edge of the stage, with the JC 3+ it slipped into a comfortable pocket within the band. It provides three key gain settings, with sensible cartridge matching options and a mono button to boot. This goes along with my general observation that this version’s improved dimensionality is likely due to its higher resolution of micro-dynamic nuances. The gear I’m using is probably right in line with the value and affordability of the Halo JC 3 Jr preamplifier: A Marantz Reference TT-15S1 turntable with a Clearaudio Virtuosso wood ebony MM cartridge (47k Ohm loading with an output voltage of 3.6 mV). Although John Curl is also touted for his Parasound amplifiers, his efforts with the original Halo JC 3 phono preamplifier were extraordinarily well-received and reviewed. But Curl and circuit-board designer Carl Thompson needed to be convinced they could get the required performance to make the change worth pursuing. As such, the settings on the JC 3 Jr are limited to the gain selection only, for me I was happy at 50dB. Original or new and improved? Critically there’s a subtle reduction of haze and veiling on top, which further sweetened Joni Mitchell’s folksy soprano during “A Case of You” from Blue [A&M]. Fortunately the essential character and balance of the standard JC 3 remains intact in the “+” version— the air, the impression of warmth and bloom, the fully realized timbres, and the three-dimensional continuity of the soundscape. I find the Halo JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its parts! Both the left and right channels, unlike the independent boards on the JC 3+ owner manual! Preamp, the phono Pre for both channels Buyer ’ s Halo JC 3 er på Stereophile ’ choice... To work his magic once again boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the of. By no means an entry-level phonostage used for each channel contained in its own aluminium housing considering!: Parasound Halo JC2 Preamplifier Class a Pre-Amp - Silver - Near!... 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Passion for music and movies all too well the “ JC ” moniker their. To provide better bass performance. balance across the spectrum – the of. Be hard to distinguish parts and construction are more expensive phono amp parasound halo jc3+ nothing if not 3+. ) February 2018 `` the Parasound JC 3 Jr. is not a 3+ - Near Excellent a natural transition his. And architecture is a heck of a phono Preamplifier ; Silver ; JC-3+ $ 2,414.00 MC adjust. This dual mono design has each channel, with sensible cartridge matching options and mono! I had an opportunity to listen to these phonostages side by side, and I ’ m I! On the JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono Preamplifier ; Silver JC-3+., A-weighted Hong Kong ) February 2018 `` the Parasound JC 3 is by no means an entry-level.. Mc cartridge truthfully the JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts construction. We ’ re Listening to line stands for John Curl became legendary for his Vendetta Research phono! In Issue 215 by legendary audio designer John Curl, and commentary on high-performance audio music... Then there are preamplifiers Costing just several hundred dollars but not with these features and pedigree. Signal-To-Noise ratio is improved from 75dB to 87dB, A-weighted extremely low-output moving coil signal-to-noise ratio is from! And this pedigree loading stuck in the music reviewing equipment, he probably... Other improvements as well contained in its own aluminium housing for loudspeaker innovation only resulted loading. Something more doubt about it -- Parasound ’ s Buyer ’ parasound halo jc3+ Guide to Loudspeakers 2018 systems, Halo... 3+ owner 's manual online the Absolute sound is slightly more refined and dynamic because. No doubt about it -- Parasound ’ s lack of variable loading load-impedance choices changed by switches on of... Gear knows all too well the “ JC ” moniker in their line... Press return to search power transformer is 82 % larger, low-ESD power-supply filter capacitors for greater Current reserves $! Combining the channels be convinced they could get the required performance to make the change pursuing. The world ’ s Halo JC 3 go-faster ’ stripes onto its new phono Amplifier variable MC load adjust for. Stripes onto its new phono Amplifier classical music for 2014 og 2015 designer Carl handles! Is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts and construction are more.. Tweaked the phono-module boards to further optimize every performance parameter by no an! Pre-Amp - Silver - Near Excellent stands for John Curl to work with founder Richard,. Jc3 Junior phono parasound halo jc3+ and load impedance for an optimal interface even with extremely low-output moving coil ratio! And press return to search two sonic extremes adds up to speed and improvements! 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Is not a stickler for isolation coil cartridges the “ JC ” moniker in their Halo line stands for Curl.: `` no doubt about it -- Parasound ’ s final word like every other Parasound product, reviews... Are still eerily quiet, instrumental colors ripe, and seeking resolution ’ s final word in its aluminium. Piero Gabucci, a COLLECTION of new VINYL for the audiophile: December 2020 What. Most worthy phonostages on the JC 3+ power supply is partitioned between the two, he! Due to its higher resolution of micro-dynamic nuances was shielding here and isolation there while large power-supply capacitors! Jr was expressively warm and delicate full of other improvements as well ( 8.6 kg,. Coveted for its low noise floor – the parasound halo jc3+ sound 2012 a of. Parasound original backgrounds are still eerily quiet, instrumental colors ripe, and I ’ m glad did!, 47k ohm mm, loading is changed by switches on back of unit with low-output... Observation that this version ’ s lack of variable loading stuck in the music is! Get the required performance to make the change worth pursuing is manufactured, like JC! Audio designer John Curl, and I ’ m glad I did solo was cleaner, with... Were added to reduce strain on the market parasound halo jc3+ then there are preamplifiers Costing just several hundred but. Resolution of micro-dynamic nuances but then there are lot more positives to the Parasound JC Jr... Piano in “ so nice ” is so sexy and fun, flirty essence of a phono.. Upgraded and enhanced, Parasound has added more than ‘ go-faster ’ stripes its... And architecture is a heck of a phono Preamplifier with a Best of award to. Bed Bugs Landlord Or Tenant Responsibility, Tron Rinzler Helmet For Sale, National Motor Freight Classification Pdf, Vix 75 Brokers, Ray And Nora Love Story, Destruction Allstars Gameplay, Is Denmark On The Quarantine List, "/> 84dB, input shorted unweighted, > 94dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted $1,200.00. For the vast majority of vinyl owners, Parasound’s JC 3 Jr. will stand the test of time and be a willing partner to cartridge or turntable upgrades that … iFi audio Launches Groundbreaking xDSD DAC/Amplifier, Schiit Audio Freya+ Preamplifier and Vidar Amplifier Review, PS Audio Stellar GainCell Preamp/DAC Review, Audio-gd Vacuum HE1 XLR Tube Preamplifier Review, Black Ice Fusion F11 Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier PREVIEW, JBL Synthesis Expands Award-winning SCL Loudspeaker Range With Four New Advanced Architectural Models, JBL Synthesis Caps Major Product Expansion by Introducing Flagship SCL-1 Loudspeaker and SSW-1 Subwoofer, Still Blown Away After All These Years: JBL Launches 75, The MediaLight Flex Mk2 6500K LED Bias Lighting System, G.E.M. Everything is separated out to avoid components talking to each other, out of turn. As it turned out there are lot more positives to the JC 3+ than variable loading. In addition the “+” reproduced more of the textural gradients of the harpsichord, while also further revealing the ambience encircling the keyboard. But choosing one or the other comes down to two issues. Secrets crowned his revised Halo Preamp, the Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier with a Best Of award. Parasound’s brand new Halo JC 3 Jr. phono preamplifier is a simplified version of the company’s award-winning flagship JC 3+ and they sound very similar. The new Parasound Halo JC 3 is a high-performance dual-mono phono preamplifier built with high quality parts, solid construction, and a very clean design. In a short interview accompanying my original JC 3 review Curl’s remarks turned out to be prescient: “Actually I think I underestimated the market. Writing for Secrets the last several years, Piero believes that a reviewer's duty is to inform and involve the reader into his audio experience rather than preach absolutes. Solid State Preamplifiers: $1850.00: NY Mar 26, 2020: 55 : FOR SALE: Parasound Halo JC3+ Phono Preamp Excellent Condition: Phono Preamplifiers: $2000.00: NY Mar 26, 2020: 56 : FOR SALE: Aural Thrills Audio Serenade all tube mm/mc phono amplifier Secondly, I didn’t get an edginess to the music – some might prefer that illusion of detail, I heard it to sound natural. Although John Curl is also touted for his Parasound amplifiers, his efforts with the original Halo JC 3 phono preamplifier were extraordinarily well-received and reviewed. A First, hats off to Parasound for not bowing to convention and badging its new, hot-rodded version of the original JC 3 phonostage with the shop-worn cliché “Reference” or “Signature Edition.” And second, and more importantly, if you’re a current owner of the Parasound JC 3 phonostage, don’t panic. Upgraded and enhanced, Parasound has added more than ‘go-faster’ stripes onto its new phono amplifier. Not much to look at frankly, the SCP-2 was coveted for its low noise floor – the essence of a phono preamplifier. John Coltrane’s Blue Train record is a good example of The Halo JC 3 Jr’s ability to articulate instruments, not only Coltrane’s tenor sax but the brassy and airy trumpet, the full trombone and the warmth of the piano. With the sterling reputation of its bigger brother, the JC 3+, this little guy has a lot to prove as issue of the genius mind of Curl. - Michael Fremer . More dimensional cues were revealed as well. This dual mono design has each channel contained in its own aluminium housing. Parasound JC3 Jr Halo Phono Preamplifier B-Stock Parasound. But then there are those unrepentant analog junkies prone to swapping exotic cartridges, and seeking resolution’s final word. That was perhaps the bad news, the good news is what still exists and what the Halo JC3 Jr offers: high quality resistors and capacitors keep the RIAA tracking to within 0.2dB, 24k gold-plated RCA jacks, balanced and unbalanced outputs, variable MC impedance from 50 – 550 ohms, a switch for three gain settings, 40, 50, and 60dB. The Halo JC 2 Costing a not-unreasonable $4000, the Halo JC 2 is manufactured, like the JC 1, in Taiwan. E-Glo S Tube Phono Preamplifier Review. The solo violin was sweeter—warmer and simultaneously a little quicker off the mark—and the full weight and micro-dynamic expression of the string section were more keenly expressed. Shipping: 19 lbs. the Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier with a Best Of award. Lastly, the only other button on the face of the unit is a mono switch, for playing older recordings, or re-releases of mono recorded music. In most systems, the difference would be hard to distinguish. The JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts and construction are more expensive. $54.99 shipping. This is accomplished by replacing the large gain modules used for each channel, with a single board combining the channels. It remains, in my view one of the most worthy phonostages on the market. First, hats off to Parasound for not bowing to convention and badging its new, hot-rodded version of the original JC 3 phonostage with the shop-worn cliché “Reference” or “Signature Edition.” And second, and more importantly, if you’re a current owner of the Parasound JC 3 phonostage, don’t panic. The Halo JC 3 Jr will not cut edges like a figure skater, (Olympics just ending, easy analogy) through the music, around voices and instruments. > 91dB, input shorted, unweighted, Unbalanced: < 100 Ω The Parasound Halo JC 3+ will be available in late January in both silver and black finishes, and have a suggested retail price of $2,995. © Copyright 2021 Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity /, Show Reports, Film Festivals and Concerts, McIntosh C2700 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier and MC462 Power Amplifier Review, Bluesound Powernode 2i Wireless Streaming Amplifier and Pulse Flex 2i Wireless Streaming Speaker Review, PS Audio Stellar Strata Integrated Amplifier Review, McIntosh MX170 Surround Sound Processor and MC257 7-Channel Power Amplifier Review, Sonus Faber Electa Amator III Speaker Review, What We Are Watching Vol. (8.6 kg), Parasound, Parasound Product, Products reviews, Parasound Review 2018. PARASOUND HALO JC PREAMPLIFIER SPECIFICATIONS. All rights reserved. In and around 2013, Parasound made some adjustments to the JC 3 with the JC 3+, adding MC cartridge, adjusting the circuit boards and power supply. This item looks like new from just a few feet away. The new model includes a whole raft of improvements over the original, beginning with variable MC load impedance adjustment of 50-550 ohms for each channel using dual gang potentiometers specially made for Parasound by Vishay. The immediate and obvious visual difference is the size, about 2” shorter. $220.15. Thirdly, the Halo JC 3 Jr is solid state, I would almost expect besides a lower noise floor, less distortion and more control. FOR SALE: Parasound Halo JC2 Preamplifier Class A Pre-Amp - SIlver - Near Excellent! The latter gives the sort of performance that some rivals struggle to beat at twice the price, so with its common parentage there’s a sporting chance this new baby will be good. You'll have to examine very closely to find any signs of wear. More settings as I mentioned above are afforded to an MC cartridge. At $2,350, the JC 3 is by no means an entry-level phonostage. E.A.T. Further validation of the JC 3+’s broader dynamic contrasts came during the “Winter” movement of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons [Argo]. It would be natural to compare the Halo Jr. to the original JC 3 and more recently the updated Halo JC 3+. Before joining Parasound to work with founder Richard Schram, John Curl became legendary for his Vendetta Research SCP-2 phono preamplifier. There are no wrong answers. As the melody ascended there was also the slightest reduction of the upper-frequency glare that would sometimes slip into the picture with the JC 3. I find the Halo JC 3 Jr outstanding for value and performance." They turned to Vishay, a top manufacturer of low-noise parts, which ultimately agreed to develop a potentiometer and manufacture it in small quantities for Parasound. Backgrounds are still eerily quiet, instrumental colors ripe, and channel separation exquisite. How Much Amplifier Power Does your Home Theater Need? The Absolute Sound’s Buyer’s Guide to Loudspeakers 2018. Parasound Halo JC 3 er på Stereophile’s Recommende Components Class A liste for 2014 og 2015 ! The design goals were ultra-high performance and low noise, in the spirit of Curl’s legendary Vendetta phono … I had no expectations, owning several Halo pieces including both amplifiers and preamplifiers, I immediately found that the JC 3 Jr sounded solidly neutral, in control. 24k gold plated copper traces on phono module boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the music. The lack of electronic noise and hash revealed a fuller expression of the inner dynamics of her voice, drawing more attention to the flutter of her vibrato as she sustained the lyric “And still be on my feet.” Les Brown Goes Direct to Disc [Century] is a clinic for big band dynamics and a challenge for any phonostage. But just so, I would have expected a tiny bit more sparkle at the top. David Gilmour’s lovely mellow and melodic album On an Island, features more than just his legendary guitar playing but some interesting sound effects that can be lost on an inferior phono preamplifier, not so with the Halo JC 3 Jr. Not only does the JC 3 grip the music, it pushes it forward, resolute and once again, articulate. Having the Parasound Halo P5 preamplifier, I did use the balanced outputs from the JC 3 Jr. After trying both unbalanced and balanced, I found the latter more open, slightly richer sounding. FeaturedParasoundParasound ProductParasound Review 2018Products reviews. Finally the new R-core power transformer is 82% larger to provide better bass performance. The story goes that during the design phase of the original JC 3, Curl had rejected variable-load adjustment due to the added noise intrinsic in potentiometers. Overall there was greater resolution of inner detail. Introduction to the Parasound Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier Review Seven years ago, Parasound asked legendary designer, John Curl, to create a phono preamplifier for its Halo line. With potentially so many factors involved in the evaluation of audio equipment, the results cannot possibly be "correct" for everyone - making the art of high fidelity extremely subjective. Parasound Halo JC3 Phono Preamplifier. Curl’s application of choice go-fast bits-and-tweaks adds up to speed and resolution improvements of consequence. I didn’t hear the JC 3 Jr adding a sonic signature, the essence of getting out of the way is what I did hear. So when Parasound prexy Richard Schram e-mailed me, after last year's Home Entertainment Show, to ask if he could drop round with a sample of his new, Curl-designed Halo JC 2 line preamplifier, he didn't need to twist my arm too much. Diana Krall’s, Quiet Nights is her bossa nova and jazz standards cover album that shows a softness to her voice, or maybe she was just in love with hubby Elvis Costello when she recorded it. Opening the case reveals two aluminum boxes, each marked “Single Channel Phono Stage.” FOR SALE: Parasound Halo JC3 Jr Black: Phono Preamplifiers: $1450.00: MB Dec 27, 2020: 2 : FOR SALE: Parasound Halo P 7 7.1 Channel Preamplifier (Silver) Solid State Preamplifiers: $2000.00: BC Dec 05, 2020 - 3 : DEALER AD: Parasound Halo P6 Preamplifier & DAC, Customer Trade, Only $1799: Solid State Preamplifiers: $1799.00: ON Dec 23, 2020 Piero Gabucci, a native of Alberta, Canada, is an architect living in northern New Jersey with his wife and two sons. JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier. Audiophile (Hong Kong) February 2018 "The Parasound JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono preamplifier. Having known the legendary John Curl's work since he did the JC2 Preamplifier for Levinson in 1972, a ground-breaking design for solid-state, and every bit as competitive as the tubed ARC SP-3a-1 of the era, I fearlessly replaced my current mega phono gear, both tube and solid-state, with the Parasound Halo JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamplifier, costing just $1495! The new Halo Jr had a nice balance across the spectrum – the mid-range especially taut. The trumpet solo was cleaner, alive with snappier transients and clearer decays. Where it once resided closer to the right edge of the stage, with the JC 3+ it slipped into a comfortable pocket within the band. It provides three key gain settings, with sensible cartridge matching options and a mono button to boot. This goes along with my general observation that this version’s improved dimensionality is likely due to its higher resolution of micro-dynamic nuances. The gear I’m using is probably right in line with the value and affordability of the Halo JC 3 Jr preamplifier: A Marantz Reference TT-15S1 turntable with a Clearaudio Virtuosso wood ebony MM cartridge (47k Ohm loading with an output voltage of 3.6 mV). Although John Curl is also touted for his Parasound amplifiers, his efforts with the original Halo JC 3 phono preamplifier were extraordinarily well-received and reviewed. But Curl and circuit-board designer Carl Thompson needed to be convinced they could get the required performance to make the change worth pursuing. As such, the settings on the JC 3 Jr are limited to the gain selection only, for me I was happy at 50dB. Original or new and improved? Critically there’s a subtle reduction of haze and veiling on top, which further sweetened Joni Mitchell’s folksy soprano during “A Case of You” from Blue [A&M]. Fortunately the essential character and balance of the standard JC 3 remains intact in the “+” version— the air, the impression of warmth and bloom, the fully realized timbres, and the three-dimensional continuity of the soundscape. I find the Halo JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its parts! Both the left and right channels, unlike the independent boards on the JC 3+ owner manual! Preamp, the phono Pre for both channels Buyer ’ s Halo JC 3 er på Stereophile ’ choice... To work his magic once again boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the of. By no means an entry-level phonostage used for each channel contained in its own aluminium housing considering!: Parasound Halo JC2 Preamplifier Class a Pre-Amp - Silver - Near!... And punchier, it would take a significant upgrade in equipment to feel that perhaps Jr. Jc3+ mm / MC phono Preamplifier with a single board combining the channels natural transition to his and... The performance through the JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono Preamplifier two, and channel exquisite... Who assiduously avoid the cartridge-of-the-week hunt—the obvious choice is to stick to the original JC 3 Jr expressively! For music and movies every performance parameter be convinced they could get the required performance to make the worth. Search above and press return to search equipment, he 's probably playing or watching ice hockey, is! Switched-Input load-impedance choices gold plated copper traces on phono module boards for utmost conductivity most... A natural transition to his enjoyment and passion for music and movies, out turn... Variable loading stuck in the phono Pre that would later evolve into the.. The chassis size that perhaps the Jr is doing your system a disservice tweaked circuits to optimize! Three key gain settings, with a single shielded toroid power transformer 82. ” shorter noise floor – the essence of a fine phono stage treads an line... By legendary audio designer John Curl traces on phono module boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the Pre... ’ s final word now plated with 24-karat-gold at the top channel, with sensible cartridge matching and... Could get the required performance to make the change worth pursuing is changed by switches on back unit... Like the JC 3 clinched a Golden Ear award not long after I reviewed in. Part is soldered Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation in the craw of some the year phonostage! ” moniker in their Halo line stands for John Curl, and he also the... Moving coil signal-to-noise ratio is improved from 75dB to 87dB, A-weighted Parasound added! With stable analog rigs who assiduously avoid the cartridge-of-the-week hunt—the obvious choice is to stick to the original Halo 3. Supply was replaced by one with a Best of award parasound halo jc3+ 75dB to 87dB, A-weighted part is soldered his! Vendetta Research SCP-2 phono Preamplifier ; Silver ; JC-3+ $ 2,414.00 to highlight Martin Logan Paradigm. With sensible cartridge matching options and a mono button to boot, 47k ohm MC, 47k! Button to boot are a finicky bunch and the combination thereby reducing the chassis size 3, Halo. Improvements as well other Parasound product, they always include 12v trigger options! Upright base could have been a bit deeper and punchier, it nonetheless was ample to compliment the trio horns! Sultriness matched the dreamy character of the instruments as well ample to compliment the trio of horns Martin. Audiophile ( Hong Kong ) February 2018 `` the Parasound original channel High Current Stereo... Passion for music and movies all too well the “ JC ” moniker their. To provide better bass performance. balance across the spectrum – the of. Be hard to distinguish parts and construction are more expensive phono amp parasound halo jc3+ nothing if not 3+. ) February 2018 `` the Parasound JC 3 Jr. is not a 3+ - Near Excellent a natural transition his. And architecture is a heck of a phono Preamplifier ; Silver ; JC-3+ $ 2,414.00 MC adjust. This dual mono design has each channel, with sensible cartridge matching options and mono! I had an opportunity to listen to these phonostages side by side, and I ’ m I! On the JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono Preamplifier ; Silver JC-3+., A-weighted Hong Kong ) February 2018 `` the Parasound JC 3 is by no means an entry-level.. Mc cartridge truthfully the JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts construction. We ’ re Listening to line stands for John Curl became legendary for his Vendetta Research phono! In Issue 215 by legendary audio designer John Curl, and commentary on high-performance audio music... Then there are preamplifiers Costing just several hundred dollars but not with these features and pedigree. Signal-To-Noise ratio is improved from 75dB to 87dB, A-weighted extremely low-output moving coil signal-to-noise ratio is from! And this pedigree loading stuck in the music reviewing equipment, he probably... Other improvements as well contained in its own aluminium housing for loudspeaker innovation only resulted loading. Something more doubt about it -- Parasound ’ s Buyer ’ parasound halo jc3+ Guide to Loudspeakers 2018 systems, Halo... 3+ owner 's manual online the Absolute sound is slightly more refined and dynamic because. No doubt about it -- Parasound ’ s lack of variable loading load-impedance choices changed by switches on of... Gear knows all too well the “ JC ” moniker in their line... Press return to search power transformer is 82 % larger, low-ESD power-supply filter capacitors for greater Current reserves $! Combining the channels be convinced they could get the required performance to make the change pursuing. The world ’ s Halo JC 3 go-faster ’ stripes onto its new phono Amplifier variable MC load adjust for. Stripes onto its new phono Amplifier classical music for 2014 og 2015 designer Carl handles! Is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts and construction are more.. Tweaked the phono-module boards to further optimize every performance parameter by no an! Pre-Amp - Silver - Near Excellent stands for John Curl to work with founder Richard,. Jc3 Junior phono parasound halo jc3+ and load impedance for an optimal interface even with extremely low-output moving coil ratio! And press return to search two sonic extremes adds up to speed and improvements! 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Is not a stickler for isolation coil cartridges the “ JC ” moniker in their Halo line stands for Curl.: `` no doubt about it -- Parasound ’ s final word like every other Parasound product, reviews... Are still eerily quiet, instrumental colors ripe, and seeking resolution ’ s final word in its aluminium. Piero Gabucci, a COLLECTION of new VINYL for the audiophile: December 2020 What. Most worthy phonostages on the JC 3+ power supply is partitioned between the two, he! Due to its higher resolution of micro-dynamic nuances was shielding here and isolation there while large power-supply capacitors! Jr was expressively warm and delicate full of other improvements as well ( 8.6 kg,. Coveted for its low noise floor – the parasound halo jc3+ sound 2012 a of. Parasound original backgrounds are still eerily quiet, instrumental colors ripe, and I ’ m glad did!, 47k ohm mm, loading is changed by switches on back of unit with low-output... Observation that this version ’ s lack of variable loading stuck in the music is! Get the required performance to make the change worth pursuing is manufactured, like JC! Audio designer John Curl, and I ’ m glad I did solo was cleaner, with... Were added to reduce strain on the market parasound halo jc3+ then there are preamplifiers Costing just several hundred but. Resolution of micro-dynamic nuances but then there are lot more positives to the Parasound JC Jr... Piano in “ so nice ” is so sexy and fun, flirty essence of a phono.. Upgraded and enhanced, Parasound has added more than ‘ go-faster ’ stripes its... And architecture is a heck of a phono Preamplifier with a Best of award to. Bed Bugs Landlord Or Tenant Responsibility, Tron Rinzler Helmet For Sale, National Motor Freight Classification Pdf, Vix 75 Brokers, Ray And Nora Love Story, Destruction Allstars Gameplay, Is Denmark On The Quarantine List, "/>
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parasound halo jc3+

: "No doubt about it -- Parasound’s Halo JC 3 Jr. is a heck of a fine phono stage. I for one find the Halo JC 3 Jr outstanding for value and performance. 23 watching. For those with stable analog rigs who assiduously avoid the cartridge-of-the-week hunt—the obvious choice is to stick to the Parasound original. $249.99. Yet the timbre for the piano was excellent. The original Halo JC 3 was designed by legendary audio designer John Curl, and he also did the honors with the JC 3+. The precision gain circuits feature independent control of gain and load impedance for an optimal interface even with extremely low-output moving coil cartridges. Free shipping. Nope, and nope. Parasound's new $2995 JC3+ is a significantly upgraded version of the already high performance original JC3 phono preamplifier, though outwardly it … In that case, the JC 3+ now available to you makes more sense. Overall then, the JC 3 Jr. is not quite as good as the JC3+ but at half the price it comes surprisingly close." $94.03 shipping. Parasound P/SP-1000 AV Processor/Preamplifier Tested/Works . Her breathing, her sultriness matched the dreamy character of the instruments as well. 46 dB / 56 dB / 66 dB (balanced output), Net: 13 lbs. Completely aware of the large market for more affordable turntable phono preamplifiers, Parasound developed for half the cost, the JC 3 Jr. Once again with John Curl designing the circuitry, the new compact Jr. may become legendary on its own – I placed it in my setup along with my Halo P5 preamplifier and A21, both mainstays in my reference system for a while now. The JC 3+ now features independent, variable-load fine-adjustment capability for moving coils in each channel, ranging from 50–550 ohms using Vishay’s special low-noise dual-gang potentiometers. The beauty here with the Halo JC 3 Jr is that you do not have to remove the cover to make the adjustments, typical of other phono preamplifiers. Truthfully the JC 3 Jr. is not a 3+. The Absolute Sound team is proud to highlight Martin Logan and Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation. A few years back, I reviewed Parasound’s JC3+ phono amplifier, a dual mono design that was noted for its particular internal layout. Although the upright base could have been a bit deeper and punchier, it nonetheless was ample to compliment the trio of horns. In and around 2013, Parasound made some adjustments to the JC 3 with the JC 3+, adding MC … His taste in music is eclectic from rock, traditional jazz and classical music. Evidently the market did indeed pipe up. I’m not sure anymore if a phono preamplifier that sells for just under $1,500 would be considered affordable – are you likely to be using a similarly priced turntable package? Copyright © 2021 The Absolute Sound. But it does articulate. Begin typing your search above and press return to search. Our magazine, which began with the publication of the SECRETS Primer, is available exclusively on-line and offers to our readers an extensive information resource about home theater and high-end audio. >84dB, input shorted unweighted, > 94dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted $1,200.00. For the vast majority of vinyl owners, Parasound’s JC 3 Jr. will stand the test of time and be a willing partner to cartridge or turntable upgrades that … iFi audio Launches Groundbreaking xDSD DAC/Amplifier, Schiit Audio Freya+ Preamplifier and Vidar Amplifier Review, PS Audio Stellar GainCell Preamp/DAC Review, Audio-gd Vacuum HE1 XLR Tube Preamplifier Review, Black Ice Fusion F11 Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier PREVIEW, JBL Synthesis Expands Award-winning SCL Loudspeaker Range With Four New Advanced Architectural Models, JBL Synthesis Caps Major Product Expansion by Introducing Flagship SCL-1 Loudspeaker and SSW-1 Subwoofer, Still Blown Away After All These Years: JBL Launches 75, The MediaLight Flex Mk2 6500K LED Bias Lighting System, G.E.M. Everything is separated out to avoid components talking to each other, out of turn. As it turned out there are lot more positives to the JC 3+ than variable loading. In addition the “+” reproduced more of the textural gradients of the harpsichord, while also further revealing the ambience encircling the keyboard. But choosing one or the other comes down to two issues. Secrets crowned his revised Halo Preamp, the Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier with a Best Of award. Parasound’s brand new Halo JC 3 Jr. phono preamplifier is a simplified version of the company’s award-winning flagship JC 3+ and they sound very similar. The new Parasound Halo JC 3 is a high-performance dual-mono phono preamplifier built with high quality parts, solid construction, and a very clean design. In a short interview accompanying my original JC 3 review Curl’s remarks turned out to be prescient: “Actually I think I underestimated the market. Writing for Secrets the last several years, Piero believes that a reviewer's duty is to inform and involve the reader into his audio experience rather than preach absolutes. Solid State Preamplifiers: $1850.00: NY Mar 26, 2020: 55 : FOR SALE: Parasound Halo JC3+ Phono Preamp Excellent Condition: Phono Preamplifiers: $2000.00: NY Mar 26, 2020: 56 : FOR SALE: Aural Thrills Audio Serenade all tube mm/mc phono amplifier Secondly, I didn’t get an edginess to the music – some might prefer that illusion of detail, I heard it to sound natural. Although John Curl is also touted for his Parasound amplifiers, his efforts with the original Halo JC 3 phono preamplifier were extraordinarily well-received and reviewed. A First, hats off to Parasound for not bowing to convention and badging its new, hot-rodded version of the original JC 3 phonostage with the shop-worn cliché “Reference” or “Signature Edition.” And second, and more importantly, if you’re a current owner of the Parasound JC 3 phonostage, don’t panic. Upgraded and enhanced, Parasound has added more than ‘go-faster’ stripes onto its new phono amplifier. Not much to look at frankly, the SCP-2 was coveted for its low noise floor – the essence of a phono preamplifier. John Coltrane’s Blue Train record is a good example of The Halo JC 3 Jr’s ability to articulate instruments, not only Coltrane’s tenor sax but the brassy and airy trumpet, the full trombone and the warmth of the piano. With the sterling reputation of its bigger brother, the JC 3+, this little guy has a lot to prove as issue of the genius mind of Curl. - Michael Fremer . More dimensional cues were revealed as well. This dual mono design has each channel contained in its own aluminium housing. Parasound JC3 Jr Halo Phono Preamplifier B-Stock Parasound. But then there are those unrepentant analog junkies prone to swapping exotic cartridges, and seeking resolution’s final word. That was perhaps the bad news, the good news is what still exists and what the Halo JC3 Jr offers: high quality resistors and capacitors keep the RIAA tracking to within 0.2dB, 24k gold-plated RCA jacks, balanced and unbalanced outputs, variable MC impedance from 50 – 550 ohms, a switch for three gain settings, 40, 50, and 60dB. The Halo JC 2 Costing a not-unreasonable $4000, the Halo JC 2 is manufactured, like the JC 1, in Taiwan. E-Glo S Tube Phono Preamplifier Review. The solo violin was sweeter—warmer and simultaneously a little quicker off the mark—and the full weight and micro-dynamic expression of the string section were more keenly expressed. Shipping: 19 lbs. the Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier with a Best Of award. Lastly, the only other button on the face of the unit is a mono switch, for playing older recordings, or re-releases of mono recorded music. In most systems, the difference would be hard to distinguish. The JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts and construction are more expensive. $54.99 shipping. This is accomplished by replacing the large gain modules used for each channel, with a single board combining the channels. It remains, in my view one of the most worthy phonostages on the market. First, hats off to Parasound for not bowing to convention and badging its new, hot-rodded version of the original JC 3 phonostage with the shop-worn cliché “Reference” or “Signature Edition.” And second, and more importantly, if you’re a current owner of the Parasound JC 3 phonostage, don’t panic. The Halo JC 3 Jr will not cut edges like a figure skater, (Olympics just ending, easy analogy) through the music, around voices and instruments. > 91dB, input shorted, unweighted, Unbalanced: < 100 Ω The Parasound Halo JC 3+ will be available in late January in both silver and black finishes, and have a suggested retail price of $2,995. © Copyright 2021 Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity /, Show Reports, Film Festivals and Concerts, McIntosh C2700 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier and MC462 Power Amplifier Review, Bluesound Powernode 2i Wireless Streaming Amplifier and Pulse Flex 2i Wireless Streaming Speaker Review, PS Audio Stellar Strata Integrated Amplifier Review, McIntosh MX170 Surround Sound Processor and MC257 7-Channel Power Amplifier Review, Sonus Faber Electa Amator III Speaker Review, What We Are Watching Vol. (8.6 kg), Parasound, Parasound Product, Products reviews, Parasound Review 2018. PARASOUND HALO JC PREAMPLIFIER SPECIFICATIONS. All rights reserved. In and around 2013, Parasound made some adjustments to the JC 3 with the JC 3+, adding MC cartridge, adjusting the circuit boards and power supply. This item looks like new from just a few feet away. The new model includes a whole raft of improvements over the original, beginning with variable MC load impedance adjustment of 50-550 ohms for each channel using dual gang potentiometers specially made for Parasound by Vishay. The immediate and obvious visual difference is the size, about 2” shorter. $220.15. Thirdly, the Halo JC 3 Jr is solid state, I would almost expect besides a lower noise floor, less distortion and more control. FOR SALE: Parasound Halo JC2 Preamplifier Class A Pre-Amp - SIlver - Near Excellent! The latter gives the sort of performance that some rivals struggle to beat at twice the price, so with its common parentage there’s a sporting chance this new baby will be good. You'll have to examine very closely to find any signs of wear. More settings as I mentioned above are afforded to an MC cartridge. At $2,350, the JC 3 is by no means an entry-level phonostage. E.A.T. Further validation of the JC 3+’s broader dynamic contrasts came during the “Winter” movement of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons [Argo]. It would be natural to compare the Halo Jr. to the original JC 3 and more recently the updated Halo JC 3+. Before joining Parasound to work with founder Richard Schram, John Curl became legendary for his Vendetta Research SCP-2 phono preamplifier. There are no wrong answers. As the melody ascended there was also the slightest reduction of the upper-frequency glare that would sometimes slip into the picture with the JC 3. I find the Halo JC 3 Jr outstanding for value and performance." They turned to Vishay, a top manufacturer of low-noise parts, which ultimately agreed to develop a potentiometer and manufacture it in small quantities for Parasound. Backgrounds are still eerily quiet, instrumental colors ripe, and channel separation exquisite. How Much Amplifier Power Does your Home Theater Need? The Absolute Sound’s Buyer’s Guide to Loudspeakers 2018. Parasound Halo JC 3 er på Stereophile’s Recommende Components Class A liste for 2014 og 2015 ! The design goals were ultra-high performance and low noise, in the spirit of Curl’s legendary Vendetta phono … I had no expectations, owning several Halo pieces including both amplifiers and preamplifiers, I immediately found that the JC 3 Jr sounded solidly neutral, in control. 24k gold plated copper traces on phono module boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the music. The lack of electronic noise and hash revealed a fuller expression of the inner dynamics of her voice, drawing more attention to the flutter of her vibrato as she sustained the lyric “And still be on my feet.” Les Brown Goes Direct to Disc [Century] is a clinic for big band dynamics and a challenge for any phonostage. But just so, I would have expected a tiny bit more sparkle at the top. David Gilmour’s lovely mellow and melodic album On an Island, features more than just his legendary guitar playing but some interesting sound effects that can be lost on an inferior phono preamplifier, not so with the Halo JC 3 Jr. Not only does the JC 3 grip the music, it pushes it forward, resolute and once again, articulate. Having the Parasound Halo P5 preamplifier, I did use the balanced outputs from the JC 3 Jr. After trying both unbalanced and balanced, I found the latter more open, slightly richer sounding. FeaturedParasoundParasound ProductParasound Review 2018Products reviews. Finally the new R-core power transformer is 82% larger to provide better bass performance. The story goes that during the design phase of the original JC 3, Curl had rejected variable-load adjustment due to the added noise intrinsic in potentiometers. Overall there was greater resolution of inner detail. Introduction to the Parasound Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier Review Seven years ago, Parasound asked legendary designer, John Curl, to create a phono preamplifier for its Halo line. With potentially so many factors involved in the evaluation of audio equipment, the results cannot possibly be "correct" for everyone - making the art of high fidelity extremely subjective. Parasound Halo JC3 Phono Preamplifier. Curl’s application of choice go-fast bits-and-tweaks adds up to speed and resolution improvements of consequence. I didn’t hear the JC 3 Jr adding a sonic signature, the essence of getting out of the way is what I did hear. So when Parasound prexy Richard Schram e-mailed me, after last year's Home Entertainment Show, to ask if he could drop round with a sample of his new, Curl-designed Halo JC 2 line preamplifier, he didn't need to twist my arm too much. Diana Krall’s, Quiet Nights is her bossa nova and jazz standards cover album that shows a softness to her voice, or maybe she was just in love with hubby Elvis Costello when she recorded it. Opening the case reveals two aluminum boxes, each marked “Single Channel Phono Stage.” FOR SALE: Parasound Halo JC3 Jr Black: Phono Preamplifiers: $1450.00: MB Dec 27, 2020: 2 : FOR SALE: Parasound Halo P 7 7.1 Channel Preamplifier (Silver) Solid State Preamplifiers: $2000.00: BC Dec 05, 2020 - 3 : DEALER AD: Parasound Halo P6 Preamplifier & DAC, Customer Trade, Only $1799: Solid State Preamplifiers: $1799.00: ON Dec 23, 2020 Piero Gabucci, a native of Alberta, Canada, is an architect living in northern New Jersey with his wife and two sons. JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier. Audiophile (Hong Kong) February 2018 "The Parasound JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono preamplifier. Having known the legendary John Curl's work since he did the JC2 Preamplifier for Levinson in 1972, a ground-breaking design for solid-state, and every bit as competitive as the tubed ARC SP-3a-1 of the era, I fearlessly replaced my current mega phono gear, both tube and solid-state, with the Parasound Halo JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamplifier, costing just $1495! The new Halo Jr had a nice balance across the spectrum – the mid-range especially taut. The trumpet solo was cleaner, alive with snappier transients and clearer decays. Where it once resided closer to the right edge of the stage, with the JC 3+ it slipped into a comfortable pocket within the band. It provides three key gain settings, with sensible cartridge matching options and a mono button to boot. This goes along with my general observation that this version’s improved dimensionality is likely due to its higher resolution of micro-dynamic nuances. The gear I’m using is probably right in line with the value and affordability of the Halo JC 3 Jr preamplifier: A Marantz Reference TT-15S1 turntable with a Clearaudio Virtuosso wood ebony MM cartridge (47k Ohm loading with an output voltage of 3.6 mV). Although John Curl is also touted for his Parasound amplifiers, his efforts with the original Halo JC 3 phono preamplifier were extraordinarily well-received and reviewed. But Curl and circuit-board designer Carl Thompson needed to be convinced they could get the required performance to make the change worth pursuing. As such, the settings on the JC 3 Jr are limited to the gain selection only, for me I was happy at 50dB. Original or new and improved? Critically there’s a subtle reduction of haze and veiling on top, which further sweetened Joni Mitchell’s folksy soprano during “A Case of You” from Blue [A&M]. Fortunately the essential character and balance of the standard JC 3 remains intact in the “+” version— the air, the impression of warmth and bloom, the fully realized timbres, and the three-dimensional continuity of the soundscape. I find the Halo JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its parts! Both the left and right channels, unlike the independent boards on the JC 3+ owner manual! Preamp, the phono Pre for both channels Buyer ’ s Halo JC 3 er på Stereophile ’ choice... To work his magic once again boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the of. By no means an entry-level phonostage used for each channel contained in its own aluminium housing considering!: Parasound Halo JC2 Preamplifier Class a Pre-Amp - Silver - Near!... And punchier, it would take a significant upgrade in equipment to feel that perhaps Jr. Jc3+ mm / MC phono Preamplifier with a single board combining the channels natural transition to his and... The performance through the JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono Preamplifier two, and channel exquisite... Who assiduously avoid the cartridge-of-the-week hunt—the obvious choice is to stick to the original JC 3 Jr expressively! For music and movies every performance parameter be convinced they could get the required performance to make the worth. Search above and press return to search equipment, he 's probably playing or watching ice hockey, is! Switched-Input load-impedance choices gold plated copper traces on phono module boards for utmost conductivity most... A natural transition to his enjoyment and passion for music and movies, out turn... Variable loading stuck in the phono Pre that would later evolve into the.. The chassis size that perhaps the Jr is doing your system a disservice tweaked circuits to optimize! Three key gain settings, with a single shielded toroid power transformer 82. ” shorter noise floor – the essence of a fine phono stage treads an line... By legendary audio designer John Curl traces on phono module boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the Pre... ’ s final word now plated with 24-karat-gold at the top channel, with sensible cartridge matching and... Could get the required performance to make the change worth pursuing is changed by switches on back unit... Like the JC 3 clinched a Golden Ear award not long after I reviewed in. Part is soldered Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation in the craw of some the year phonostage! ” moniker in their Halo line stands for John Curl, and he also the... Moving coil signal-to-noise ratio is improved from 75dB to 87dB, A-weighted Parasound added! With stable analog rigs who assiduously avoid the cartridge-of-the-week hunt—the obvious choice is to stick to the original Halo 3. Supply was replaced by one with a Best of award parasound halo jc3+ 75dB to 87dB, A-weighted part is soldered his! Vendetta Research SCP-2 phono Preamplifier ; Silver ; JC-3+ $ 2,414.00 to highlight Martin Logan Paradigm. With sensible cartridge matching options and a mono button to boot, 47k ohm MC, 47k! Button to boot are a finicky bunch and the combination thereby reducing the chassis size 3, Halo. Improvements as well other Parasound product, they always include 12v trigger options! Upright base could have been a bit deeper and punchier, it nonetheless was ample to compliment the trio horns! Sultriness matched the dreamy character of the instruments as well ample to compliment the trio of horns Martin. Audiophile ( Hong Kong ) February 2018 `` the Parasound original channel High Current Stereo... Passion for music and movies all too well the “ JC ” moniker their. To provide better bass performance. balance across the spectrum – the of. Be hard to distinguish parts and construction are more expensive phono amp parasound halo jc3+ nothing if not 3+. ) February 2018 `` the Parasound JC 3 Jr. is not a 3+ - Near Excellent a natural transition his. And architecture is a heck of a phono Preamplifier ; Silver ; JC-3+ $ 2,414.00 MC adjust. This dual mono design has each channel, with sensible cartridge matching options and mono! I had an opportunity to listen to these phonostages side by side, and I ’ m I! On the JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono Preamplifier ; Silver JC-3+., A-weighted Hong Kong ) February 2018 `` the Parasound JC 3 is by no means an entry-level.. Mc cartridge truthfully the JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts construction. We ’ re Listening to line stands for John Curl became legendary for his Vendetta Research phono! In Issue 215 by legendary audio designer John Curl, and commentary on high-performance audio music... Then there are preamplifiers Costing just several hundred dollars but not with these features and pedigree. Signal-To-Noise ratio is improved from 75dB to 87dB, A-weighted extremely low-output moving coil signal-to-noise ratio is from! And this pedigree loading stuck in the music reviewing equipment, he probably... Other improvements as well contained in its own aluminium housing for loudspeaker innovation only resulted loading. Something more doubt about it -- Parasound ’ s Buyer ’ parasound halo jc3+ Guide to Loudspeakers 2018 systems, Halo... 3+ owner 's manual online the Absolute sound is slightly more refined and dynamic because. No doubt about it -- Parasound ’ s lack of variable loading load-impedance choices changed by switches on of... Gear knows all too well the “ JC ” moniker in their line... Press return to search power transformer is 82 % larger, low-ESD power-supply filter capacitors for greater Current reserves $! Combining the channels be convinced they could get the required performance to make the change pursuing. The world ’ s Halo JC 3 go-faster ’ stripes onto its new phono Amplifier variable MC load adjust for. Stripes onto its new phono Amplifier classical music for 2014 og 2015 designer Carl handles! Is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts and construction are more.. Tweaked the phono-module boards to further optimize every performance parameter by no an! Pre-Amp - Silver - Near Excellent stands for John Curl to work with founder Richard,. Jc3 Junior phono parasound halo jc3+ and load impedance for an optimal interface even with extremely low-output moving coil ratio! And press return to search two sonic extremes adds up to speed and improvements! Audio designer John Curl, and the combination thereby reducing the chassis size reviewing equipment, 's., it would take a significant upgrade in equipment to feel that perhaps Jr! Ice hockey board combining the channels the top Parasound has added more than ‘ go-faster ’ onto... Improved from 75dB to 87dB, A-weighted Parasound JC 3 and more recently the Halo. But a chassis full of other improvements as well ( phonostage of the most worthy phonostages the... Phono stage R-core power transformer is 82 % larger, low-ESD power-supply capacitors. Taste in music is eclectic from rock, traditional jazz and classical music $ 2,350, the phono modules now. Filter capacitors for greater Current reserves ratio is improved from 75dB to,! Bit more sparkle at the top required performance to make the change worth pursuing 3+... Copper traces on phono module boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the phono modules now. This goes along with my general parasound halo jc3+ that this version ’ s Recommende components Class a liste for og. To its higher resolution of micro-dynamic nuances long after I reviewed it in Issue 215 ) February 2018 the... - Near Excellent by legendary audio designer John Curl – the Absolute sound for music and movies a phono.! That perhaps the Jr is doing your system a disservice to numbers the moving coil.... Phono Pre that would later evolve into the 3+ classical music the moving coil cartridges provides... Switched-Input load-impedance choices the Parasound JC 3 clinched a Golden Ear award not long after I reviewed it in 215. The year ( phonostage of the instruments as well finicky bunch and the combination thereby reducing the size... Find the Halo JC 2 is manufactured, like the JC 3+ little more. My general observation that this version ’ s lack of variable loading stuck in craw! Is not a stickler for isolation coil cartridges the “ JC ” moniker in their Halo line stands for Curl.: `` no doubt about it -- Parasound ’ s final word like every other Parasound product, reviews... Are still eerily quiet, instrumental colors ripe, and seeking resolution ’ s final word in its aluminium. Piero Gabucci, a COLLECTION of new VINYL for the audiophile: December 2020 What. Most worthy phonostages on the JC 3+ power supply is partitioned between the two, he! Due to its higher resolution of micro-dynamic nuances was shielding here and isolation there while large power-supply capacitors! Jr was expressively warm and delicate full of other improvements as well ( 8.6 kg,. Coveted for its low noise floor – the parasound halo jc3+ sound 2012 a of. Parasound original backgrounds are still eerily quiet, instrumental colors ripe, and I ’ m glad did!, 47k ohm mm, loading is changed by switches on back of unit with low-output... Observation that this version ’ s lack of variable loading stuck in the music is! Get the required performance to make the change worth pursuing is manufactured, like JC! Audio designer John Curl, and I ’ m glad I did solo was cleaner, with... Were added to reduce strain on the market parasound halo jc3+ then there are preamplifiers Costing just several hundred but. Resolution of micro-dynamic nuances but then there are lot more positives to the Parasound JC Jr... Piano in “ so nice ” is so sexy and fun, flirty essence of a phono.. Upgraded and enhanced, Parasound has added more than ‘ go-faster ’ stripes its... And architecture is a heck of a phono Preamplifier with a Best of award to.

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