AXPONA 2020 High-End Audio Press Center
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Parasound Halo JC 1+ 450-Watt Mono Amplifier

  A five-year effort by Curl and Parasound, and an almost total redesign of the internal circuitry, has resulted in the amazing Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblock amplifier says the company. With 450 Watts into 8 Ohms, 850 Watts into 4 Ohms, 1300 Watts into 2 Ohms, and a peak current of 180 Amperes, the JC 1+ is said to excel even with speakers that can dip to 1 Ohm. It operates in pure Class A up to 25 Watts and Class AB to full power, reflecting Curl's attention to detail and sound quality.

"In 2003, the JC 1 was an immediate success," said Richard Schram, Parasound's President. "We couldn't imagine how to improve it. I was surprised and excited when John called me in early 2014 to discuss his ideas for a new amplifier that would significantly outperform the JC 1. During 2015 and 2016 we built numerous prototypes to confirm Curl's theories, and the sonic improvements he'd predicted. The results were outstanding. We decided to create a new amplifier built on the JC 1's legendary reputation. The JC 1+ is a technological masterpiece, raising the bar for amplifier performance and value for years to come."

At 83 pounds, the new Parasound JC 1+ is heavier. The new transformer has 20 percent larger electrical capacity, and 50 percent more power-supply filter capacitance. The new amp boasts 24 output transistors compared to 18. These combine to deliver more rated power, and a 30% peak current increase, for music that truly soars.

The Parasound Halo JC 1+ is remarkably quiet, adding active high-frequency noise filtering with Bybee Music Rails, preventing input stage noise from degrading sound quality. A new Curl-designed driver stage with a cascode circuit adds greater open-loop bandwidth and linearity. The industry-standard Delrin circuit boards were replaced by FR-408, typical of aerospace and super-computer applications, to improve signal integrity. The heavily shielded input-stage power supply uses a new premium R-core transformer to suppress high-frequency power line noise. This input stage power supply also has 22,400 uF filter capacitors, that are independent of the main power supply, to deliver +/-112 VDC rail voltage, minimizing distortion. Premium Wilson Audio REL capacitors use a proprietary design, which resists micro vibrations that typically degrade the sound quality of other caps. The addition of an XLR Loop Out as well as a 12V-trigger/delayed-turn-on improve the connectivity and utility of the JC 1+ when multiples are used in bi, tri, and quad amp configurations.

Parasound's Halo JC 1+ has a fast-start bias circuit that enables it to sound its best within minutes after turn-on. A bias level selector switch enables cooler operation, with virtually no performance compromise. To optimize performance with high gain preamps and high sensitivity speakers, a two-position switch selects 23dB or 29dB gain. Premium Neutrik 24k gold-plated balanced locking XLR connectors, and Vampire unbalanced RCA output connectors facilitate bi-wiring. Rugged Parasound-designed CHK Infinium speaker terminals accept spade lugs up to 16mm wide, banana plugs, and 5-AWG bare speaker wire.

Parasound's Halo JC 1+ monoblock power amplifier, in black or silver finish, is now available from authorized dealers with a USA retail price of $8495 each.

Parasound Halo JC 1+ Specifications
Power Output 
450 x1 watts @ 8 Ohms 
850 x1 watts @ 4 Ohms 
1300 x1 watts @ 2 Ohms

Power Measurements @ 120V: 
0.15% THD, RMS continuous power, 
full audio band (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Class A Power Output 
25 Watts, bias switch set to high 
10 Watts, bias switch set to low

Current Capacity: 180 Amperes, peak
Slew Rate: > 130 volts per microsecond
Frequency Response: 2Hz to 120kHz (+0/-2dB)
Inputs: Unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR
Outputs Line Level: Unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR
Speaker Outputs: Two sets of five-way gold-plated binding posts
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):  < 0.15 % at full power
IM Distortion: < 0.03 %
TIM: Unmeasurable
Damping Factor: > 1200 at 20 Hz
Weight: 83 lbs.

Visit Parasound's website.

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