Parasound Debuts Flagship Halo JC 1+ 450-Watt Monoblock Amplifier designed by John Curl

joeinid said:
I always wanted a pair of these. The JC5 has already proven itself to be wonderful. I can’t wait for reviews and opinions on the new JC1+ amps.
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I’ve got the JC5 home now for a demo. Very impressed so far. Will post impressions after I get more time with it.
 
ricred1 said:
I wonder if the JC1+ will be a step-up from my Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier?
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I answered my own question. I finally listened to the JC1+ amplifiers. To my ears they have outstanding bass control, but sound soft in the midrange and highend. I heard them on a pair of Raidho TD3.2 speakers. Maybe the results would be different in another system.
 
I’d be curious to hear the 625 and JC1+ side by side on more conventional speakers. I really want to hear the Rowland in my system (not the Avantgarde). It’s definitely a wonderful amp.
 
ricred1 said:
I answered my own question. I finally listened to the JC1+ amplifiers. To my ears they have outstanding bass control, but sound soft in the midrange and highend. I heard them on a pair of Raidho TD3.2 speakers. Maybe the results would be different in another system.
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Were they well broken in?
 
GSOphile said:
Were they well broken in?
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Yes, they were well broken-in. In the right system they would be hard to beat. If I already owned them I wouldn't sell them to purchase a Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier. I own the Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amplifier and wouldn't sell it to purchase the JC1+. There would have to be a very significant difference between them for me to change and to my ears there isn't enough of a difference to change.
 
I had a second listen to the JC1+ for several hours. The bass was still outstanding, but now the soundstage was a little more open. The midrange and highs were much more to my liking. It would be easy for me to just purchase them, but I'm concerned about the size of the JC1+ and once I have them home will I regret selling my 625 S2?
 
That’s a great question. Not an easy answer. I’m sure the JC1+ run hotter and there are two of them as well.

How does the treble compare? Is it as sweet and smooth as the 625 S2?

ricred1 said:
I had a second listen to the JC1+ for several hours. The bass was still outstanding, but now the soundstage was a little more open. The midrange and highs were much more to my liking. It would be easy for me to just purchase them, but I'm concerned about the size of the JC1+ and once I have them home will I regret selling my 625 S2?
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joeinid said:
That’s a great question. Not an easy answer. I’m sure the JC1+ run hotter and there are two of them as well.

How does the treble compare? Is it as sweet and smooth as the 625 S2?
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I still think the JC1+ is on the dark side of neutral. I think the 625 S2 is neutral, revealing what's on the recording. I think the 625 S2 treble is slightly more extended. Yesterday and earlier today I told a couple of my friends that I ordered the JC1+, but I just told the dealer to hold off. I just finished listening to my system and I just don't know why I'm even considering changing anything.
I'm driving Monitor Audio PL500 ii speakers in a 20'x26' room and sometimes I think I need more power, but can't spend $50K to go to the next level of amplification. I'm crazy!​
 
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I totally understand, thank you for your thoughts. I’ve made regretful changes. I bet the PL500 are wonderful.

From your description, the JC1+ seems like my kind of amp. Ugh!

When in doubt, don’t.
 
joeinid said:
I totally understand, thank you for your thoughts. I’ve made regretful changes. I bet the PL500 are wonderful.

From your description, the JC1+ seems like my kind of amp. Ugh!

When in doubt, don’t.
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Good advice. I will take my time and make a decision based on what's best for my situation. I won't make a decision just on sound, unless I really think one is significantly better than the other. I will take into consideration money lost on my current amplifier, the size and heat generated by each amplifier, and the fact that I would have to purchase longer XLR cables if I purchase the JC1+.
 
Thoughts on how the JC1+ compare with the Pass X260.8 monos (assuming lack of power is not the issue)?
Speakers are the Focal Maestro Utopia III. Preamp: Audio Research REF6. Dac: Holo May L2.
Room size: 20x21x9 ft cubed.
 
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