| SAN FRANCISCO (6/20/07) -- Parasound, one of
the world's most respected manufacturers of high performance audio/video
components, is now shipping the JC 2 stereo preamplifier in its
high-end Halo product family. The Parasound Halo JC 2 was designed
and engineered by the legendary John Curl and CTC Builders team
who have been responsible for some of the most highly regarded
audio components of the past 25 years, including the acclaimed
Parasound Halo JC 1 400-watt mono power amplifier.
The Parasound Halo JC 2 is a precision analog stereo preamplifier
that audiophiles will use to switch between audio source components
and to control the output level of the connected power amplifier.
While this role may seem relatively simple, many designers and
engineers have devoted lifetimes to getting it right.
According to Parasound's president, Richard Schram, "We
conceived the Halo JC 2 in the spirit of the JC 1, commissioning
John Curl to design a two-channel preamplifier without compromise.
The resulting product achieves a higher level of sonic and measured
performance than any preamplifier since Parasound was founded
in 1981. The sound of the Halo JC 2 is alive with musical detail
against a silent background that will give serious audiophiles
both the opportunity and desire to re-explore their music collections."
The Parasound Halo JC 2 reflects Curl's genius for circuit design
and performance, expressed through Parasound's obsession with
quality, functionality and value. The JC 2 employs fully-balanced
inputs and outputs with professional-grade XLR audio interconnections
for the lowest possible levels of noise and distortion. It also
has standard un-balanced connections, plus exceptional facilities
for interfacing with integrated home control, remote control and
other modern integration technologies.
The Halo JC 2 has a total of six line-level inputs, with two
of those switchable for balanced or unbalanced connections. The
main output jacks have both balanced XLR connectors and unbalanced
RCA connectors. When used with power amplifiers that invert polarity
the user can maintain absolute polarity, either by using the rear-panel
inverted output jacks or by using the main output jacks and the
polarity invert button on the included IR remote control. There
are also fixed-level RCA record output jacks for connecting audio
recording devices.
The infrared remote control has buttons for on/off, DC trigger
activation, polarity normal/invert, volume, mute, and source selection.
There are also tuning buttons for the Parasound Halo T 3 FM/AM
tuner. Custom installers and systems integrators will appreciate
the inclusion of an RS-232 interface, four 12-Volt Triggers, and
remote control repeater input and loop out jacks. The RS-232 interface
allows bi-direction communications with home automation and control
systems such as Crestron, AMX, Control4, Niles, and Elan.
The Parasound Halo JC 2 is now available from select Parasound
dealers. It has a suggested retail price of $4,000.
Founded in 1981, Parasound Products, Inc., is a privately owned
U.S. company that specializes in providing affordable audio and
home theater components to the critical listener. For more information
and dealer locations, visit http://www.parasound.com or call 415
397-7100.
# # #
Click
here to download the Halo JC 2 owner's manual
Click
here to read the JC 2 design overview
Parasound
Halo JC 2 Audio Preamplifier 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 |
| Input
Impedance |
Unbalanced:
30k Ω
Balanced: 30k Ω per leg |
| Output
Impedance |
Unbalanced:
< 60 Ω
Balanced: < 60 Ω per leg |
| Input
Sensitivity |
200 mV
for 1 V output
Total Gain: 14 dB
Maximum Output: 8 V |
| AC
Power: |
110 –
120 V or 220-240 V, 50 – 60 Hz
(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) |
| Rack
Mount Accessory |
HRA 3
(May be purchased separately) |
| MSRP |
$4,000
(US)Specifications and features subject to change or improvement
without notice. |
|
