Parasound Halo JC 3+ User manual

Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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.

Input Sensitivity at 1 kHz

MM: 4mV for 1V output

MC: 600µV for 1V output

Total Gain

MM: 48dB

MC: 64dB

AC Power Requirement

Standby: 1 watt

Power On: 12 watts

115 or 230 VAC 50 - 60 Hz

(Selected on Chassis Bottom)

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)

Shipping: 26 lbs. (11.8 Kg)

Rack Mount Accessory

HRA 2 (may be purchased separately)

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.

- 82% larger R-core power transformer greater reserve for more low end impact.

- Ability to turn off illumination of the front panel P logo.

- Now Available in Silver or Black.

Specifications

Frequency Response

20Hz –20kHz, +/- 0.2dB

Total Harmonic Distortion

< 0.01% at 1kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio, MM

> 87dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted

> 78dB, input shorted, unweighted

Signal to Noise Ratio, MC

> 87dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted

> 67dB, input shorted, unweighted

Interchannel Crosstalk

72dB at 1kHz

Input Impedance

MM: 47kΩ

MC: 50 –550Ω variable, 47k Ω fixed

Output Impedance

Unbalanced: < 100Ω

Balanced: < 100Ωper leg

Please note, an original JC 3 cannot be updated to become a JC 3+.

Parasound Products, Inc., 2250 McKinnon Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124 / 415 397-7100

For more photos, features, specifications and product manuals, visit us at www.parasound.com

Table of contents

Other Parasound Amplifier manuals

Parasound

Parasound Zphono XRM User manual

Parasound

Parasound HCA-1500A User manual

Parasound

Parasound Halo JC 3+ User manual

Parasound

Parasound 2250 v.2 User manual

Parasound

Parasound HINT 6 User manual

Parasound

Parasound NewClassic 2250 User manual

Parasound

Parasound P/SP-1000 User manual

Parasound

Parasound A 31 User manual

Parasound

Parasound Zamp v.3 User manual

Parasound

Parasound HCA-3500 User manual

Parasound

Parasound NewClassic Model 2125 User manual

Parasound

Parasound 275 User manual

Parasound

Parasound P/LD-1100 User manual

Parasound

Parasound HCA-500 User manual

Parasound

Parasound Halo A 21 User manual

Parasound

Parasound ZoneMaster Model 450 User manual

Parasound

Parasound PHP-850 User manual

Parasound

Parasound HCA-1200 User manual

Parasound

Parasound Zamp Quattro User manual

Parasound

Parasound HCA-1206 User manual

Parasound

Parasound NewClassic 2125 User manual

Parasound

Parasound Zamp Quattro User manual

Parasound

Parasound HCA-600 User manual

Parasound

Parasound HCA-2205A User manual

Popular Amplifier manuals by other brands

ASTRO

ASTRO HVO V40 P operating manual

Marantz

Marantz SUPERSCOPE BLA-545 Service data

NAD

NAD CI980 Quick setup guide

Technics

Technics SE-CH770 Service manual

Harman Kardon

Harman Kardon HK6300 instruction manual

NAD

NAD T975 owner's manual

McIntosh

McIntosh MA6850 Brochure & specs

Electro-Harmonix

Electro-Harmonix ENGLISH MUFF’N manual

Viatron

Viatron Autrix Technical manual

GME

GME GA9800 instruction manual

Atlas

Atlas CP700 Specification sheet

Roland

Roland KC-1000 owner's manual

Pyle

Pyle PFMRA350BW user manual

Advantage

Advantage S-250 manual

IRT Electronics

IRT Electronics DVA-3007 manual

Dimavery

Dimavery BA-100 Series user manual

Sony

Sony XM-S400D operating instructions

Schertler

Schertler ROY X quick guide