Parasound JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier for Turntable Record Player - Silver

Pay with

Parasound JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier for Turntable Features

• Premium-quality MM/MC phono stage, Variable MC load adjust independent for each channel from 50-550 ohms with dual gang potentiometers specially made for Parasound by Vishay

• 24k gold plated copper traces on phono module boards for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the music

• 47% larger low ESD power supply filter caps greater reserve for head-snapping dynamics

• 82% larger R-core power transformer greater reserve for low end impact that’s beyond imagination

• Three-position input impedance switch (47 k ohm MM cartridges; 100 ohm MC cartridges; 47 k ohm MC cartridges

• Switchable 115 V-60 Hz / 240 V-5 0Hz AC power input, Ability to turn off illumination of the front panel P logo

• Frequency Response - 20-20Khz, +/- 0.2dB, Total Harmonic Distortion - < 0.01% at 1 kHz

• Signal to Noise Ratio, MM - >87 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted, >78 dB, input shorted, unweighted

• Signal to Noise Ratio, MC - >87 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted, 67 dB, input shorted unweighted

• 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)

About Parasound JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier For Turntable

The original Halo JC 3 was designed by legendary audio designer John Curl, and he also did the honors with the JC 3+. 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. This enables precise adjustment to optimize the sound of any MC cartridge. Vishay custom builds these potentiometers for Parasound, and John Curl agreed to adjustable input load only if Parasound used Vishay pots. Getting Vishay to make the pots wasn't an easy deal. Vishay is a large company, and six months of the JC 3+ development time was spent in negotiations with them to build the custom potentiometers for Parasound. So this is a very big deal indeed. The circuit board layout in the phono modules has been tweaked to further reduce its silent background noise. John Curl reduced 1/f “shot noise” going into the input stage. The copper traces on the phono module boards are 24k gold plate for utmost conductivity and most transparency/detail in the music. The JC 3+ uses 47 percent larger low ESD power supply filter caps, which provide greater reserve for head-snapping dynamics. The additional reserves enable even greater bass slam and impact. The R-core power transformer capacity has been increased by 82%, providing greater reserve for low end impact that’s beyond imagination. The large power supplies also improve the sound of very low level signals. Furthermore, the signal-to-noise ratio is improved to 87dB A weighted. That's hardly the end of the enhancements. Gain has been changed to 48dB MM and 64dB MC. So that high output MC cartridges won’t overload some line stage preamps. The front panel P logo illumination can be switched off with the JC 3+, since some people prefer not seeing it. The Halo JC 3+ is a high-performance dual-mono phono preamplifier built with high quality parts, solid construction, and a very clean design. Like all phono preamplifiers, the JC 3 must multiply the tiny audio signal generated by a high-end low-output moving coil or moving magnet phonograph cartridge and make it strong enough to deliver to the input of a line level preamplifier. However, because phono signal levels are so weak, the slightest bit of noise and distortion in the system can easily compromise the musical experience. The JC 3+ is a dual mono design with unbalanced inputs and outputs using Vampire RCA jacks, plus balanced outputs using Neutrik XLR jacks. A custom-made three-position input impedance switch provides for 47 k ohm MM cartridges, 100 ohm MC cartridges, and 47 k ohm MC. The latter is an ideal load for some MC cartridges and high-end moving iron cartridges. All these efforts have lead to a phono preamp with impressive performance. The JC 3's signal to noise ratio is 87 dB with the MM input and 75 dB for MC, and the RIAA curve is accurate to within 0.2 dB. It is quiet enough to excel with even the lowest output premium phono cartridges. Other features include manual or auto turn-on via a 12V trigger input, an AC line polarity reverse switch to eliminate hum in many systems, and a switchable 115 V, 60 Hz / 240 V, 50 Hz AC power input for use around the world.