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Parasound Upgrades its Classic Halo JC 2 Preamp with Added Home Theater Bypass
The new Parasound Halo JC 2 BP allows audiophiles to use their high-end speakers and amplifiers for the left and right channels of a home theater system controlled by a surround receiver, or to switch back to stereo music under the no compromise control of the JC 2 BP's stereo preamplifier circuits.
SAN FRANCISCO (8/25/10) – Parasound, one of the audio industry's top manufacturers of high-end audio components, has introduced a new version of the widely acclaimed, John Curl designed, Halo JC 2 stereo preamplifier. The new Parasound Halo JC 2 BP adds a home theater bypass function that allows this preamplifier and its companion power amplifier and speakers to be connected as the front left- and right-channels of a surround sound home theater system. The new configuration provides total performance and control in both modes without compromising the performance of either mode.
"When we started the JC 2 project I hugely underestimated how many people would want to blend a JC 2 into their surround system," said Parasound's president and founder, Richard Schram. "I put the idea to John Curl, and we eventually came up with a way to implement this without touching the L and R channel audio boards. The result is a perfect sonic duplicate of the original JC 2 with the added benefit of home theater bypass."
The changes made to create the JC 2 BP included a modified potentiometer board and some clever new control software. Circuit board designer Carl Thompson revised the potentiometer board layout so that it is now equipped with four relays that short out the four-gang main volume control and both two-gang trim pots. Additional fixed resistors set the outputs to unity gain when the bypass mode is selected.
Any one or more of the JC 2 BP’s six inputs, including the two balanced inputs, can be assigned as a bypass input. A new front panel includes an amber Bypass LED to indicate when a selected input is also assigned the bypass function.
Parasound is including an entirely new and improved remote control handset with the JC 2 BP. In addition to fail-safe buttons to program the new bypass control function, its new shape and rubber coating improves stability over the previous model. Parasound has also been shipping JC 2s with this new remote control since July.
The Parasound Halo JC 2 BP will be available September 15 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $4,500. Parasound will also offer a retrofit to existing JC 2 owners for $500, including return ground shipping in the US. This way there is no penalty for existing JC 2 owners who want to update to the bypass feature. The JC 2 will continue in the line at its original $4000 price.
About Parasound: 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. Parasound's products are available from quality audio/video retailers, and select custom installation specialists. For more information, visit www.parasound.com or call 415-397-7100.
Parasound Halo JC 2 BP Features and Specifications
Parasound Upgrades its Classic Halo JC 2 Preamp with Added Home Theater Bypass
The new Parasound Halo JC 2 BP allows audiophiles to use their high-end speakers and amplifiers for the left and right channels of a home theater system controlled by a surround receiver, or to switch back to stereo music under the no compromise control of the JC 2 BP's stereo preamplifier circuits.
SAN FRANCISCO (8/25/10) – Parasound, one of the audio industry's top manufacturers of high-end audio components, has introduced a new version of the widely acclaimed, John Curl designed, Halo JC 2 stereo preamplifier. The new Parasound Halo JC 2 BP adds a home theater bypass function that allows this preamplifier and its companion power amplifier and speakers to be connected as the front left- and right-channels of a surround sound home theater system. The new configuration provides total performance and control in both modes without compromising the performance of either mode.
"When we started the JC 2 project I hugely underestimated how many people would want to blend a JC 2 into their surround system," said Parasound's president and founder, Richard Schram. "I put the idea to John Curl, and we eventually came up with a way to implement this without touching the L and R channel audio boards. The result is a perfect sonic duplicate of the original JC 2 with the added benefit of home theater bypass."
The changes made to create the JC 2 BP included a modified potentiometer board and some clever new control software. Circuit board designer Carl Thompson revised the potentiometer board layout so that it is now equipped with four relays that short out the four-gang main volume control and both two-gang trim pots. Additional fixed resistors set the outputs to unity gain when the bypass mode is selected.
Any one or more of the JC 2 BP’s six inputs, including the two balanced inputs, can be assigned as a bypass input. A new front panel includes an amber Bypass LED to indicate when a selected input is also assigned the bypass function.
Parasound is including an entirely new and improved remote control handset with the JC 2 BP. In addition to fail-safe buttons to program the new bypass control function, its new shape and rubber coating improves stability over the previous model. Parasound has also been shipping JC 2s with this new remote control since July.
The Parasound Halo JC 2 BP will be available September 15 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $4,500. Parasound will also offer a retrofit to existing JC 2 owners for $500, including return ground shipping in the US. This way there is no penalty for existing JC 2 owners who want to update to the bypass feature. The JC 2 will continue in the line at its original $4000 price.
About Parasound: 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. Parasound's products are available from quality audio/video retailers, and select custom installation specialists. For more information, visit www.parasound.com or call 415-397-7100.
Parasound Halo JC 2 BP Features and Specifications
- 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
Home Theater Bypass mode (BP) available on any pair of inputs
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
Independent power supply for controller, relay coils, triggers, LEDs
Remote control handset controls all functions
Discrete IR codes for remote control
Four 12v trigger output jacks for power amp auto turn-on:
Two 12v trigger jacks are switched by the remote handset
Two 12v trigger jacks are live when the JC 2 is turned on
Two-way RS-232 serial port connection
Line level inputs only; no inputs for phono
Audio mute is switched by independent L & R relays
Rear panel IR repeater input & loop out jacks
Rear panel AC power selector: 110-120 V, 60 HZ / 220-240 V, 50 HZ
Premium detachable heavy gauge IEC AC cord
2 6’ (2m) trigger wires included
3u Chassis, rack mountable with HRA3 (sold separately)
Parasound 5 year parts, 5 years labor warranty (For USA & Canada)
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
AC Power Consumption
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
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