Parasound Halo JC 3 Junior Phono Preamplifier by John Curl

JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamplifier by John Curl

Features

• Circuitry designed by legendary John Curl
• Circuit board layout by Carl Thompson
• Cartridge options for 47k Ω MM and MC/MI
• Variable MC impedance adjustment of 50-550 ohms
• Gain select for 40 dB/50 dB/60 dB unbalanced (46 dB/56 dB/66 dB balanced)
• Balanced and unbalanced outputs
• Mono switch can improve sound of mono & older LPs
• Convenient auto turn-on by 12V trigger
• RIAA accurate to within 0.2 dB
• Incredible S/N up to 94 dB and THD less than 0.02%
• Vishay-Dale resistors in the audio path
• Aluminum shield separates power supply and audio circuits
• Shielded toroid power transformer
• High speed-soft recovery bridge rectifiers and common mode inductors
• Vampire brand 24k gold-plated RCA jacks
• Neutrik brand locking balanced XLR outputs connectors
• Compact 1U chassis (2.5" high with feet)
• Available in silver or black

Reviews

LP (Germany) February 2020
"John Curl designed the Parasound JC 3 Jr. at a caliber that allows listeners to concentrate on the music. Simply excellent, neutral and transparent, without any background noise. Dynamic, harmonious, completely articulated, and very well balanced."

HiFi Choice UK, August 2019
"A neat balance between fun and forensic makes for a long-term listening partner. Judged on its considerable merits it's a seriously engaging phono stage that deserves careful consideration and an audition."

Dagogo February 2019
"Parasound is making you an offer you can almost not refuse. For this phono stage to be so transformative makes me want to explore what more is indeed possible, what more can be extracted in the analog process."

Enjoythemusic.com March 2019
"Excellent performance. Only when it is absent, do you know how much this John Curl designed little brother to the JC 3+ was doing for your system. The Parasound JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamplifier is a real-world bargain!"

Australian HiFi (Australia) December, 2018
"With the JC3 Jr, you are going to hear everything the recording engineer has captured in the groove, and nothing more. The sound of the Parasound JC 3 Jr is breath-takingly beautiful."

Hi Fi Review (Hong Kong)
"Excellent meticulous sound and super analytical prowess. 'Value' is well-deserved. Its retail price immediately makes it a 'killer product.' Make sure you include it on your audition list."

The Absolute Sound August 2018
"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. Its winning musicality proudly upholds the family name."

audioFi.net (Malaysia) April 2018
"The JC 3 Jr. can best be described as a Goldilocks phono preamp – just right in about every dimension. All of the characteristics we look for in music reproduction come together in a convincing musical picture. The mono switch on the JC 3 Jr. is a great addition – worth its weight in gold."

Secrets of HT and High Fidelity - April 2018
"If you're trying to eek every nuance out of your turntable, the Halo JC 3 Jr is perfect for you. I find the Halo JC 3 Jr outstanding for value and performance."

Audiophile (Hong Kong) February 2018
"The Parasound JC 3 Jr. is an outstanding solid-state phono preamplifier. At its price I am certain there is nothing on the market that can beat it!"

Analog Planet February 2018
"A fine job of expressing dynamic power, three-dimensionality and rich harmonics. The bottom end is solid and well-extended and the preamp's overall tonal balance is refreshingly neutral. It does everything well.""

Hi-Fi News (UK) February 2018
"Put all these aspects together — its insight, control, accurate soundstaging and fine handling of rhythms — and you have a redoubtable performer."

Positive Feedback October 2017
"The Parasound JC 3 Jr. performed way beyond its price class...a fantastic boon to audiophiles everywhere. I cannot recommend it more emphatically!"

Frequency Response:
20-20Khz, +/- 0.2dB

Total Harmonic Distortion
< 0.02% at 1 kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio, 40 dB Setting
>85dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
>80dB, input shorted, unweighted

Signal to Noise Ratio, 50 dB Setting
>89dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
>84dB, input shorted unweighted

Signal to Noise Ratio, 60 dB Setting
> 94dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
> 91dB, input shorted, unweighted

Inter-channel Crosstalk
>80 dB at 1 kHz

Input Impedance
MM or MI: 47k Ω
MC Variable: 50- 550 Ω

Output Impedance
Unbalanced: < 100 Ω
Balanced: < 100 Ω per leg

Input Capacitance
150 pF

Input Sensitivity at 1 kHz, 4mV Input
40 dB: 4 mV for 450mV output
50 dB: 4 mV for 1.4 Volts output
60 dB: 4 mV for 4.25 Volts output

Input Sensitivity at 1 kHz, 1V Output
40 dB: 9 mV for 1.0 Volt output
50 dB: 3 mV for 1.0 Volt output
60 dB: 0.9 mV for 1.0 Volt output

Total Gain
40 dB / 50 dB / 60 dB (unbalanced output)
46 dB / 56 dB / 66 dB (balanced output)

XLR Pin Identification
1 = Ground (Shield)
2 = Positive
3 = Negative (Return)

AC Power Requirement
Standby: <1 watt
Power On: 9 watts
115 VAC or 230 VAC 50 - 60 Hz

Dimensions
Width: 17-1/4” (437mm)
Depth: 14-3/4” (375mm)

Depth with cables: 17” (432mm)
Height: 2-1/2” (63.5mm)
Height, without feet: 1-3/4” (45mm)

Weight
Net: 13 lbs. (5.9 Kg)
Shipping: 19 lbs. (8.6 kg)

User Reviews