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How good is Empirical Audio's Parasound JC1 Mod?

Category: Amplifiers

I am looking for others that have had their Parasound JC1 modified by Steve Nugent at Empirical Audio. I just got mine back, and what a difference. I loved my JC1s, 2004 Amp of the Year. Now I am absolutely ecstatic... It’s like I went from an Audi TT to a Porsche 911. Same product family but a lot better… The result the most musical solid-state amp I have ever had in my system.

I have found that the JC-1 monoblocks stock sound a lot better than most amps in their price range, however there is a lot more performance potential locked-up in these amps. Their primary weakness is dynamics, particularly in the high frequencies. They also tend to be a bit muddy in both the midrange and highs due to their power delivery topology, even though they deliver the detail in spades right out of the box, or at least after a month or two of break-in. This muddiness can best be described as a bit of congestion or compression. They just do not open-up and envelope you in an unrestrained, spacious sound field.

The EA Turbomod removes all of these weaknesses. It transforms JC-1s into spectacular, breathtaking music machines. The soundstage doubles in width compared to the stock amp and the slam factor improves by an order of magnitude. The weight, authority, and richness of the music are improved dramatically. There is a spaciousness of the sound field that just immerses the listener. The focus of violins, violas, and cellos is razor-sharp, but with finesse and sweetness, not harshness. Transient response is improved so that percussion, such as drums, cymbals, bells and vibraphone, all have real attack, sustain and decay. Vocals are breathtaking – airy and articulate. The front-to-back layering is so detailed that the relative positions of different instruments can be sensed within a few feet. Most first-time listeners believe they are listening to surround-sound, when it is only 2-channel. Is it the best-sounding solid-state amp on the planet – I think so… But note that it took me about two weeks of break-in to get them to their peak performance.

p.s. Has anyone tried them in low level listening mode. I have and boy is it fun not to lose the detail at low levels.
nicholasz
drhst20
71 posts
 
John,

I kind of agree with you. If one has had a component for a long time (say a year), one tends to know the sound of that component (and their system) fairly well. In that case, the individual could send out that component, get it back two weeks later, and then make a fair comparison. However, if one is not very familair with a product, I 100% agree with you. I have certianly made mistakes where I listen to item A, then go listen to item B, and I find I prefer item B for verious reasons. Then I get item A and item B togther in the same listening session and am surprised that my first take was off.
kevziek
323 posts
 
I own JC-1's, and cannot agree with your assessment of them in stock form.

They are very dynamic, more than any amps I have owned. Not dynamic in the treble? This is not my experience at all. I have Von Schweikert VRjr's, and I play some very clean, top grade recordings of big band jazz at loud levels, and the brass just jumps with dynamics.

Midrange & treble are not constrained at all. Perhaps your associated equipment is deficient in these areas, and the mods were complementary to these deficiencies. My system is quite neutral, so I'm hearing the amps for what they are -- some of the finest solid state design out there. I don't believe in mods -- and you lose your tail if you sell moded equipment.
drhst20
71 posts
 
Kevziek,

Chill my man...I own them so I must like them. They are a great amp, irrepect of price, and a super amp at their asking price. For the record, I run Meitner gear (DCC2) and Von VR4 GEN III SE with Valhalla cabeling. All I am saying is that they are not perfect and that I have heard and owned amps in their price range that best them in one area or another. That is the way of our hobby. However, in my system, with my tastes, and given my expereiences, I tend to prefer more excitment up top and in the mids along with a little more snap. That is all. What I love most about them is their resolution. In that reguard they are the best amp I have ever owned and stand toe to toe with some of the best I have heard.
frankg
176 posts
 
Drhst20. I'm glad you made you're first post on this thread. I have been interested in this mod since it was first advertised and started an earlier thread on this subject with no replys. I immediately noticed he was quoting from the E/A page. Not good.
Hopefully, we can keep this civilized and get some useful info on this mod.
I too have the Firebirds with diamond tweeters, DCC2 and APL/Denon 3910.
I had the JC 1's and loved them in my system but only had them for 4 or 5 weeks. My reference is the Gryphon Encore which I've had for some time.
Nicholaze: You might have to take a few lumps here but please don't let that sour you on this forum. I'd love to hear your impressions as the JC1's breakin and you have more time with them. By the way, if you got the JC1's from Mike they would be my old pair.
Frank
teajay
1,658 posts
 
I have always been interested in a comparsion between the stock JC1'S and the PASS X 350.5 regarding overall sonic signature and specific sound differences between the two amps. This post regarding the JC1 mod gives me the chance to ask this question to anybody who has heard both pieces,not which is better,there both great amps but the questions I started my response with. Look forward to any information you could share. Thanks.
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