Specification Sheet

ManualsBrandsParasound ManualsAudioHalo JC 3+ Silver Phono Preamplifier

Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier

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A new improved version of our award-winning JC 3

Six years ago we asked legendary audio designer John Curl if he would create a reasonably priced Parasound

Halo phono preamplifier in the spirit of his masterpiece, the Vendetta. Three years later we introduced the

remarkable Parasound Halo JC 3 which has earned rave reviews from the audiophile press and a legion of

vinyl enthusiasts. During the design phase of the original JC 3, Curl had rejected variable load adjustment

because potentiometers generally have higher thermal self-noise, which is an anathema to the creation of

an ultra low noise phono stage. Our decision to bring the JC 3 to market with limited switched input load

impedance choices disappointed some vinyl enthusiasts who consider input load fine-tuning to be essential

for certain cartridges.

Curl and circuit board designer Carl Thompson eventually consented to a redesign with variable load

impedance adjustments, but with these caveats for the potentiometers: 1) They must comply with stringent

performance requirements. 2) They must be manufactured by Vishay, a highly-regarded manufacturer of

low-noise component parts.

We took this opportunity to make additional performance improvements. Curl has narrowed the spectrum

of Johnson/Nyquist noise in the resistor that loads the input stage. Circuit-board designer Carl Thompson

tweaked the phono module board layouts to further optimize every performance parameter. The phono

modules copper circuit board traces now have 24 karat gold-plating where each part is soldered to provide

exceptional transparency and musical detail.

As a result of these changes, the MC signal to noise ratio is improved to 87dB, A-weighted. MM gain has

been increased slightly to 48dB, while MC gain has been lowered from 68dB to 64dB so that extra-high

output MC cartridges won’t cause the JC 3+ to overload the inputs of some line stage preamps or integrated

amps.

The JC 3+ power supply has also been significantly upgraded with 47 percent larger low-ESD power supply

filter capacitors and an 82 percent larger R-core power transformer. This provides much greater current

reserves for head-snapping dynamics. Finally, we added an on/off switch for the front P logo illumination.

Summary of content (2 pages)

PAGE 1
Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX A new improved version of our award-winning JC 3 Six years ago we asked legendary audio designer John Curl if he would create a reasonably priced Parasound Halo phono preamplifier in the spirit of his masterpiece, the Vendetta.
PAGE 2
How the JC 3+ improves on the JC 3 - Variable MC load adjust independent for each channel from 50-550 ohms with dual gang potentiometers specially made for Parasound by Vishay. - Curl-Thompson tweaked circuits to further reduce the JC 3 silent background noise. - 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.