New Gear! Parasound JC 1+ monos (w/ Magico S3 mk2)

BayStBroker

BayStBroker

New member
Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
292
I'm enjoying these newly designed 450 watt beasts, which are proving to be a better match for my speakers than the tube/mosfet PS Audio hybrids I was running for several years. Enhancements to transient speed and imaging are obvious and dramatic. I feel like I have new speakers! It is a great experience to bring in new gear during lockdown.
 

Attachments

  • jc1+_black_high_angle.jpg
    jc1+_black_high_angle.jpg
    276.9 KB · Views: 316
  • jc1+_inside_angle.jpg
    jc1+_inside_angle.jpg
    905.4 KB · Views: 313
  • jc1+_back_detail.jpg
    jc1+_back_detail.jpg
    812.4 KB · Views: 323
Thanks, Joe! Just to be clear, they definitely sound beautiful. As far as looks go, maybe not so much. Austere is the best you can say (along with "huge"). The faceplate makes the amp look like something reviewed in a 1994 issue of Stereophile. The budget obviously is focused on the circuit components instead of the casework. In this respect, I like to think of them as Anti-D'agostinos. They are designed to drive the same big demanding speaker loads as the mega-expensive audio-jewelry amps at a fraction of the price. Arguably that makes those high end speakers more accessible to more people (like me). And I kind of wonder how they'd do in a shoot-out with the big Boulders, Constellations or D'Agostinos. I've always imagined there must be some stuff inside of a $150,000 amp that would be impossible to include in a $17,000 amp. But I've never heard those items or circuit build factors identified in detail by manufacturers or reviewers.
 
Congrats. That combo of JC 1+ monos and Magico S3 MK IIs must be fabulous. Congrats again.
 
Congrats!

I like the understated looks of Parasound gear. I just sold my old A21 and always liked the looks of the amp and how sturdy it was built. I do prefer silver though.
 
elliotg said:
We have sold a few pairs of these and everyone of the clients loves them. They could be the best value as most everything that is better is a multiple in price. They are really worth the scratch. The look is simple and clean, no flash, but to me they all lookk the same with the lights off :)
Click to expand...

What speakers were they paired with?
 
Congrats! Those are nice beasts. Built like tank. I have used its little brother, A21 with Maggies. Hard to beat for its price.
 
Congratulations! I loved my JC1's when I had them and have regretted selling them ever since. I would also love to hear these in my system.
 
steve59 said:
Well in 10 years or so I'll buy a used pair, unless we're all using solar powered gear by then.
Click to expand...

Good qualification, Steve, regarding green energy. The JC 1+ is counter-revolutionary when it comes to energy efficiency. They run hot and the first 25 watts are pure class A. Also, they sound best when I leave them on all the time. But they sound so much better than anything I've ever had in my listening room. Maybe I'll have to buy carbon credits (or at least start to drive an electric car) to make up for my sins.
 
Very nice amps, IMO Parasound is very underrated. I like the fact you have switchable gain and a high/low bias switch. Can you tell us a bit about both and how they are set in your system and why? Both my preamp and cd player have switchable gain and with both set to "low" I can almost use the full range of my volume control. Congrats.
 
hi $17000, in the us and £18000, in the uk, conversion for $17000, is at today's rate £12,137, that would be a bargain, we definitely need a FREE trade agreement with the state's, :satisfying: 50% increase just to send them over is shocking :disbelief:

a great review here, holding their own, and even bettering amps at twice the price, what's not to like, great purchase,

Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblock power amplifier | Stereophile.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top