Replacing the original John Curl-designed JC1, which was chosen as a “Category A Recommended Component” for 15 years by Stereophile’s editorial staff, Parasound has just introduced the JC1+ monoblock power amplifier, which was also designed by John Curl. It has refined specifications with more power, enhanced internal features and external connections. Price per monoblock at authorized dealers is reportedly just under $8,500 USD. (Two would be required for a two channel music system.)
From the Parasound site:
Changes from the JC 1 to JC 1+
- [*=left]400 → 450 Watts @ 8Ω
[*=left]800 → 850 Watts @ 4Ω
[*=left]1200 → 1300 Watts @ 2Ω
[*=left]Filter capacitance: 132,000 → 198,000 uF
[*=left]Transformer capacity: 1.9 → 2.1 kVA
[*=left]Output transistors: 18 → 24 Sanken 60Mz devices
[*=left]Peak current: 135 → 180 amps
[*=left]Weight: 64 → 83 lbs net
[*=left]Bybee Music Rails™ active high frequency noise filters
[*=left]John Curl driver stage employs a new cascode circuit design
[*=left]FR-408 input circuit board material improves HF signal integrity
[*=left]Gain switch to select 29 dB or 23 dB of gain
[*=left]R-core power transformer for input stage
[*=left]Input circuit board is shielded
[*=left]Double thickness copper on output/power supply circuit boards
[*=left]Gold-plated internal audio signal path connectors
[*=left]Custom CHK Infinium speaker binding posts
[*=left]Looping Neutrik XLR output for easier bi-amping
[*=left]Front panel power indicator LED
[*=left]Updated auto turn on circuits with 3.5mm 12V trigger jacks
All Features:
[*=left]Circuitry designed by legendary John Curl
[*=left]Ultra-high bias Class A/AB operation
[*=left]25 watts of pure Class A power
[*=left]Stable with speaker impedance dips below 1Ω
[*=left]Bybee Music Rails™ - active high frequency filters for input stage
[*=left]New John Curl driver stage employs a cascode circuit for greater open loop bandwidth & superior linearity
[*=left]Gain switch to select 29 dB or 23 dB gain for optimum compatibility with high gain preamps or extremely efficient speakers
[*=left]R-core transformer for input stage suppresses noise on power line
[*=left]6 massive 33,000 uF Nichicon Gold Tune filter capacitors for output stage
[*=left]22,400 uF input stage power supply filter capacitors, independent of the main power supply
[*=left]Dual CHK Infinium, custom 5-way speaker binding posts for easy bi-wiring
[*=left]Neutrik locking XLR balanced input & loop output jacks
[*=left]Vampire 24k gold-plated RCA input & loop output jacks
[*=left]Direct-coupled signal path, no capacitors or inductors in the audio path
[*=left]JFET input stage, MOSFET driver stage
[*=left]24 beta-matched 15 ampere, 230V, 60 MHz bipolar output transistors
[*=left]2.1 kVA shielded toroid power transformer with premium H18 grade core
[*=left]Independent power supplies for input stage, driver stage & output stage
[*=left]Full power is rated all the way down to 2Hz for unrestricted low-end bass
[*=left]Harris hyper-fast soft-recovery bridge diode rectifiers
[*=left]REL & Nichicon Muse capacitors
[*=left]DC servo & relay protection circuits
[*=left]AC turn-on inrush surge protection with relay bypass
[*=left]Automatic turn-on by 12 V trigger or audio sensing
[*=left]4 rack space chassis with rear carry handles
[*=left]Rack mount hardware is included
[*=left]Available in silver or black
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