Parasound Halo JC2 Analog Preamplifier with Remote

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We were about to some background about Parasound and what we feel stands out about the brand, but their website does it best:

"In the complicated landscape of audio, many companies put stratospheric price tags on great performance. Our mission couldn't be more different. Simply put, we offer the most performance for the money by finding the sweetest spot between price and diminishing returns. We've all been on the consumer side: music lovers, musicians, and audio enthusiasts looking for top-tier sound without breaking the bank.

Everything we do at Parasound is customer-centric because that's how we define value. Most of our customers don't have trust funds and have to work for their money — so we give them their money's worth and then some. Every time another expert compares our product to equipment that costs three times as much, we have succeeded."

This unit was fully tested in our lab where it performed flawlessly and needed no work whatsoever, a true testament to the build quality and design.

Cosmetically it is super clean with no significant signs of use or wear.

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Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - XLR Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Good

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

JC2 Features Include:
• 6 pairs unbalanced RCA line-level audio input jacks
• 2 input pairs can be switched to XLR balanced connectors
• Independent balanced/unbalanced select for the L & R channel
• Each channel's input is switched by its own gold-on-silver contact relay
• 4 output jack pairs with specialized functions:
• 1 Main output jack pair is balanced XLR, polarity is switched by remote
• 1 Main output jack pair is unbalanced RCA, polarity is switched by remote
• 1 output jack pair is unbalanced RCA, inverted polarity only
• 1 output pair is unbalanced RCA, normal polarity, fixed level for recorders
• Dual-mono left & right channel circuit boards minimize crosstalk
• Hand-matched complementary FETs
• Direct DC servo-coupled, no capacitors in the signal path
• Premium 4-gang motor-driven analog master volume control
• Separate TKD brand analog gain controls for L & R channel
• 3/8" thick aluminum shielding around audio boards
• Shielding prevents noise from power supplies & control circuits
• Separate output jacks for simultaneous normal & non-inverting polarity
• Aluminum chassis rear panel
• Remote control polarity switching uses gold-on-silver contact relays
• Vampire brand 24k gold-plated RCA jacks
• Neutrik brand premium XLR connectors
• Canare brand internal wiring
• High capacity R-core audio power transformer & inductor
• Hyper-fast soft recovery audio bridge rectifiers diodes

JC2 Technical Specifications:
Frequency Response
5 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB

Distortion
THD: < 0.003% at 100 Hz
THD: < 0.005% at 20 kHz
IM: < 0.003%

S/N Ratio
> 116 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
> 104 dB, input shorted, unweighted

Crosstalk
> 100 dB at 10 kHz
> 90 dB at 20 kHz

Gain
14 dB, maximum

L, R Gain Control Range
- 10 dB

Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 30k ohms
Balanced: 30k ohms per leg

Output Impedance
Unbalanced: < 60 ohms
Balanced: < 60 ohms per leg

Input Sensitivity
200 mV for 1 V output
Total Gain: 14 dB
Maximum Output: 8 V

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

AC Power Requirement
110 - 120 V or 220-240 V, 50 - 60 Hzs
(Set AC Voltage switch on rear panel)
25 watt standby; 30 watts when turned on

Dimensions
Width: 17 1/4" (437 mm)
Depth: 16" (406 mm)
Height, with feet: 5 7/8" (150 mm)
Height, without feet: 5 1/4" (133 mm)

Weight
Net: 24 lbs. (11 kg)
Shipping: 36 lbs. (16.4 kg)

The SkyFi Testing Process for Preamplifiers:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCB’s for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface. The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope. We then switch to a 1KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment. Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected. If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.