Parasound Halo JC 3+ Phono Preamplifier

Description

Rediscover Vinyl with Precision and Clarity

The Parasound JC3+ extracts every drop of warmth, detail, and emotion from your records—so your favorite albums sound alive and full of feeling.

Designed by legendary audio engineer John Curl, it features a dual-mono, all-analog architecture for ultra-low noise and stunning musicality. With support for both MM and MC cartridges (adjustable loading), and balanced XLR plus gold-plated RCA outputs, the JC 3+ integrates seamlessly into high-end analog systems.

Features

Designed by John Curl, creator of the legendary Vendetta Research phono preamplifier, the Parasound Halo JC 3+ is engineered for precise and high-quality vinyl playback. It features Vampire 24k gold-plated RCA input and output jacks, along with premium Neutrik XLR connectors for balanced outputs. The phono preamplifier supports Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges with a 47k-ohm input impedance and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges with either a fixed 47k-ohm setting or an adjustable 50–550-ohm load. Its RIAA equalisation accuracy is maintained within 0.2 dB, while exclusively using Vishay-Dale resistors in the audio path. A triple-shielding design, featuring low-carbon mild-steel partitions, isolates the power supplies and AC wiring to help minimise interference. The dual-mono architecture places each audio channel in its own extruded aluminium enclosure, with separate high-speed soft-recovery rectifiers, filter capacitors, and voltage regulators for each channel. A mono switch optimises playback of mono recordings and older LPs, while the built-in AC line conditioner helps prevent electrical noise from affecting the audio circuits. An AC polarity reversal switch can help reduce hum in compatible systems, and the non-magnetic aluminium rear panel supports the design's focus on clean signal performance. Additional features include manual or automatic power-on selection with a 12V trigger input, a premium detachable heavy-gauge IEC power cord, and a rack-mountable 2U chassis compatible with the optional HRA2 rack-mount kit.

How the JC 3+ Improves on the Original JC 3

The Parasound Halo JC 3+ introduces several refinements over the original JC 3. Its variable Moving Coil loading can be adjusted independently for each channel from 50 to 550 ohms using dual-gang potentiometers specially manufactured for Parasound by Vishay. Curl-Thompson-tuned circuitry further reduces the already low background noise for quieter playback. The phono module boards feature 24k gold-plated copper traces, designed to support excellent conductivity and detailed musical reproduction. Its power supply also uses filter capacitors with 47% greater capacity than those in the original JC 3, providing increased reserve for dynamic musical passages. Additionally, the JC 3+ allows the front-panel illuminated P logo to be switched off.