JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier OWNER’S GUIDE
Important Safety Instructions The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of “dangerous voltage” inside the product that may constitute a risk of electric shock. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the product. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Placement and Ventilation Guidelines AC Voltage Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Audio Input and Output Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . .
INTRODUCTION Thank You for Choosing Parasound Your new Parasound Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier is the pinnacle of analog audio technology and value engineering. It is legendary designer John Curl’s latest phono preamplifier design, continuing his reputation for designing legendary phono preamplifiers that date back to the 1970s. We are proud to offer you this exceptionally versatile audio component, confident that it will bring you many years of enjoyment and dependability.
Unpacking Your JC 3+ & Placement Guidelines Unpacking Your JC 3+ Carefully remove your JC 3+ from its shipping carton and locate all the enclosed accessories: • • • • AC power cord Two 12V auto turn on trigger wires One wire has two mono 3.5 mm (1/8”) mini plugs One wire has a mono 2.5mm sub-mini plug and a mono 3.5mm mini plug While you are unpacking your JC 3+, inspect it thoroughly for possible shipping damage and tell your Parasound dealer immediately if you find any.
AC Voltage Selection 115v / 230v AC Voltage Selector Switch This switch is found on the underside of the chassis. Make sure the 115/230V switch is set for the correct AC line (mains) voltage before you plug in the JC 3+’s AC power cord.
Connecting your JC 3+ Always disconnect the AC cords to your JC 3+ and power amplifier(s) before making or changing any input, output or trigger wire connections. Inserting or removing an input or output cable while the JC 3+ or power amplifiers are turned on can result in a blast of sound that can damage your loudspeakers. Make sure there is no strain or tension on any cables that could cause them to pull loose.
JC 3+ Input Settings Cartridge Select Switch Each channel module has a three position Cartridge Select switch to select an MM moving magnet or MC moving coil phono cartridge. The Cartridge Select switch has two MC settings: Variable 50-550Ω and Fixed 47kΩ. Note: Switch and knob settings should be the same for both channels. Select the setting that matches your turntable’s cartridge type.
Other Connections 12 V In Jack The JC 3+ 12 V input is a mono 3.5mm (1/8”) mono mini jack. To trigger the JC 3+ on and off automatically, insert the trigger wire plug into this jack and plug the other end into your preamplifier’s 12V trigger output jack. When the JC 3+ Turn On Options switch is set to 12 V the JC 3+ will turn On and Off with your preamplifier. Note: The Model JC 3+ trigger circuit draws a negligible 15mA current from the preamplifier.
Front Panel Controls On-Off Button Push once to turn on the JC 3+. There will be a slight delay as the circuits stabilize and the DC servos settle down. When the JC 3+ is turned on the blue glow around the On-Off button will be brighter and the red P badge will glow brighter. Push again to turn off the JC 3+. Note: This button is disabled when the Turn On Options switch (on the rear panel) is set to 12 V. Mono Button Press the Mono button one time to parallel the stereo channels to mono.
Frequently Asked Questions How is the JC 3+ different from the JC 3? - The JC 3+ has variable input impedance adjustments for MC cartridges. - The JC 3+ R-core power transformer is 82% larger; 1A vs. 0.55A. This enables even greater bass impact and authority. - The JC 3+ power supply electrolytic filter capacitors are 47% larger; a total of 40,000uF vs. 27,200uF. These result in greater dynamic contrasts and a heightened sense of realism.
Are You Having Difficulty? Repair or Service Call your Parasound dealer first. If the dealer can’t help you with your problem we encourage you to call Parasound’s Technical Service Department, toll-free at 1-866-770-8324, Monday Friday, 8am - 4pm Pacific Time. We can suggest other diagnostic tests you can easily perform.
Specifications Frequency Response XLR Pin Identification 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +/- 0.2 dB 1 = Ground (Shield) 2 = Positive 3 = Negative (Return) Total Harmonic Distortion < 0.
Parasound Products, Inc. 2250 McKinnon Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124 415-397-7100 / Fax 415-397-0144 www.parasound.
