The JC 3+ sound is slightly more refined and dynamic, because its component parts and construction are more expensive. That said, the JC 3 Jr. was one feisty chip off the old block. Giving you 2 scoops of a 3 scoop banana split for the cost of a single scoop, you will luxuriate in top-shelf phono pleasure and have some money left over for LPs. That's an amazing statement from Michael Fremer about one of the most exciting preamps that we've carried in a long, long time. 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 might accrue along the way. Parasound Halo JC3 Jr. for sale. ", Richard's team worked on this project with John and circuit board designer Carl Thompson for nearly two years. Designed to be optimized for moving-magnet and low-output moving-coil (mm and mc) phono cartridges, the gain circuits feature independent toggle control of gain, load impedance (variable or 47k ohm), plus a small knob for variable mc impedance. Wind and string transients were smooth and naturalistic. As Schram tells it the key question was how to allot the more limited resources where they’d benefit sonics the most. ", - Nick Tate, Hifi News (UK), February 2018, "The Parasound JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono preamplifier. The Music Room is now the largest online retailer of pre-owned HiFi equipment in the world. Purchased in September 2019 from Audio Advisor - so it is less than a year old. Stereo L/R RCA. The mono switch on the JC 3 Jr. is a great addition – worth its weight in gold. John Curl’s impressive — yet affordable — design. Turning to the challenge of classical music reproduction, I listened to the Solti-conducted Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performing Beethoven’s Ninth. "Happy is an understatement," said Richard. Only when it is absent, do you know how much it was doing for you and your system. Share - Parasound Halo Jc3 Jr Phono Preamplifier Black. 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 then, the JC 3 Jr. is not quite as good as the JC3+ but at half the price it comes surprisingly close. Seven years ago, Parasound asked legendary designer, John Curl, to create a phono preamplifier for its Halo line. Product Key Features. A prime example was Tony Levin’s marvelous bass playing that closes the 45rpm LP version of the Peter Gabriel/Kate Bush duet “Don’t Give Up” [Virgin]. In most systems, the difference would be hard to distinguish. CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. For me, the John Curl designed JC 3+ has consistently drawn forth a wealth of musical and sonic detail from a range of cartridges. "Giving you 2 scoops of a 3 scoop banana split for the cost of a single scoop, you will luxuriate in top-shelf phono pleasure and have some money left over for LPs. About this product. Make sure you include it on your audition list. For this I often key on background harmonies. and showcasing the new $1495 Parasound JC3 Jr. phono stage designed by one of my heroes, John Curl. I have a couple of capable MM phono stages (Parks Audio Budgie and in my DB Systems preamp) so maybe I just need to get a more capable single input MC phono preamp. JC3 Jr. kjennetegnes ved at den er helt stille, og spiller med en ukjent åpenhet og detaljrikdom i denne prisklassen. The smaller the board, the better, Schram says, so as to attract less noise than do larger boards, whose many copper traces can act as antennas. Jr.’s resolution of inner detail was similarly excellent. It was in the context of reviewing this phono pre and Clearaudio’s Concept Black turntable (review in this issue) that I came to strongly admire Clearaudio’s new Charisma mm cartridge. Press Esc to cancel. While many of the parts are the same or similar, the JC 3 Jr. uses a single, high-quality volume potentiometer that’s less expensive compared with the pricey, dual-channel, custom Vishay pot of the JC 3+. 3,030 393 4. bauzace50. It has no pops or static, even switching every knob with gain up. The resulting Parasound Halo JC 3 Jr. is a high-performance, low-noise stereo phono preamplifier for use with moving magnet and moving coil (MM and MC) phono cartridges. With 30 minutes on the power up clock, unable to resist the temptation any further, a new copy of Crowded House’s Together Alone is dropped on the current Technics SL-1200G with Hana SL cartridge, and magic begins pouring through the latest offering from Parasound. Price: $1495, PARASOUND PRODUCTS, INC. 2250 McKinnon Avenue San Francisco, CA 94124 (415) 397-7100 parasound.com, As a long-time user of various Shunyata Research AC power […], With the increasingly widespread streaming of digital music content to […], What does it really mean to say that a luxury […], Rogue Audio needs little introduction in TAS. It remains silent and unnoticeable. Parasound Halo JC3 Jr Phono Preamp, in Excellent condition. Simply excellent, neutral and transparent, without any background noise. Includes factory packaging (double boxed), and manual, power cord, 12 volt connector. The JC 3+ “DNA” is apparent in the Jr.’s circuit topology and many of its parts, including the fine Neutrik locking XLR jacks and Vampire 24k gold-plated RCA jacks. A perennial overachiever, […]. According to Parasound's president and founder Richard Schram, "I'd have no hesitation comparing the JC 3 Jr. with the five-digit priced phono preamps from other manufacturers. With high levels of the 3+'s character coursing through its circuitry, Jr. established a sonic kinship that imparted a wide soundstage with noiseless, black-velvet backgrounds – a prologue for the level of resolving power I later observed. Parasound JC3 Jr Halo Phono Preamplifier B-Stock Full Warranty John Curl is an audio legend with over 30 years’ experience designing the very fines... View full … With vinyl’s popularity on the rise, Parasound’s Richard Schram figured a stand-alone version priced right might find an audience. The Parasound JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamplifier is a real-world bargain!" ", - Michael Fremer, Analogplanet.com, February 26, 2018, "Put all these aspects together – its insight, control, accurate soundstaging and fine handling of rhythms – and you have a redoubtable performer. The Absolute Sound team is proud to highlight Martin Logan and Paradigm, known for loudspeaker innovation. Phono input impedance: mm, 47k ohms; mc, 47k ohms/variable 50–550 ohms Gain: 40dB/50dB/60dB (unbalanced output); 46dB/56dB/66dB (balanced output) Dimensions: 17.25″ x 2.5″ x 14.75″ Weight: 13 lbs. With high levels of the 3+’s character coursing through its circuitry, Jr. established a sonic kinship that imparted a wide soundstage with noiseless, black-velvet backgrounds—a prologue for the level of resolving power I later observed. I find the Halo JC 3 Jr outstanding for value and performance. ", "The Parasound JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamplifier pulls off one of the most difficult jobs in business. Even on a familiar mono track like The Beatles’ “Revolution” (fast tempo, not “Revolution 1” from the White Album) Jr. hit me with an onrushing wave of guitar distortion and nerve-shredding feedback so fraught with intensity that it was almost like hearing the cut anew. "John appreciates our collaborative design process and he continues to surprise us with ingenious ways to control costs while upholding his demanding standards. The price of the JC 3 Jr. is a real testament to the skill and dedication of our entire team, including John and the factory.". Begin typing your search above and press return to search. ", "...all of the characteristics we look for in music reproduction come together in a convincing musical picture. ", - Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, April 2018, "Goldilocks phono preamp – just right in about every dimension. Not as dynamically flashy as through the JC 3+, but not flatfooted either. Ultimately I concluded that Jr. can’t quite muster the full midrange sensuality that its elder brother possesses—the ability to extract woody resonances from clarinet and oboe or the fat soundboard decay from a stand-up bass, but at twice the cost, the JC 3+ was certainly deserving of a senior moment. Curl’s wand-waving not only resulted in loading adjustments but a chassis full of other improvements as well. Its ability to take a very wide spread of genres and levels of mastering and deliver them all with a consistent and engaging balance of refinement, spaciousness and overall musicality is a welcome one. Wind and string transients are smooth and naturalistic. The Parasound JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamplifier, the Junior, is a fantastic boon to audiophiles everywhere who love getting the best out of their LPs, but do not have deep pockets. 3,030 393 4. The power transformer is encased in a steel enclosure to prevent emissions that might impact sensitive audio circuits. ", "...a neat balance between fun and forensic makes for a long-term listening partner. Gain is adjustable between 40, 50, and 60dB (unbalanced) for any cartridge. All of the characteristics we look for in music reproduction come together in a convincing musical picture. Its retail price immediately makes it a 'killer product.' Convenience features include stereo/mono select as well as auto turn-on with a 12V trigger. Parasound’s Halo JC3 Jr. is an unquestionably talented phono stage. It is sophisticated. A phono preamp that will stand the test of time. I may have to buy both JC3 Jr and Adagio and run them head-to-head to figure out which one is better in my system. This together with one updated Grado Statement V2 (the one with the big head) make a jaw-dropping difference! And there was a slight veil around the bass-baritone soloist, which the 3+ did not have. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility.” Being an optimist, I think I’ll take that as a “yes.” At least, I sure hope so. Of phono stages on sale at the Parasound JC3 Jr. arrived and then the ZPhono.! The precision gain circuits feature independent control of gain and load impedance an. By today ’ s Halo JC 3, the family resemblance between the Parasounds was undeniable that even comes,! 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