New Parasound Halo JC1+ monoblocks just released!!!

but the circuit inside is not balanced which is where you get the most benefit out of a pure balanced design.

Sorry indran didn’t read your post right on this. Indeed the voltage amplification section of the JC1 ’s old or new may not be balanced I don’t know, as I have no circuit diagrams on them.
But you’ll find that if model of Pass Labs you mentioned has a true balanced voltage amplification stage (not just a tacked on balanced to se), the output stage is still single ended, like just about every other amp.

Just having a balance input with a single ended circuit inside, at least in theory, doesn’t have much benefit.

Yes because to listen to the balanced input on those, it’s just more components (sometimes an opamp) then they run into the single ended voltage amplification stage anyway, so your better off just listening to it.

And like I mentioned, it’s only a noise benefit, if there’s no noise it’s just extra components in the signal path that aren’t needed.

Cheers George

BTW: Audiogon has kindly added to the threads 1st post, a link now to the Stereophlie review on these JC1+ beauties.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/new-parasound-halo-jc1-monoblocks-just-released

Cheers George

Hi jaytor,
I have both JC5 and JC1s. The JC5 is generally more transparent and delicate in the mid/high, while the JC1s sounds a little bit "muddy". However, I am still keeping my JC1s because my Dynaudio speakers need high current and big power. The JC5 is unable to deliver enough bass on my speakers let alone control it, and the JC1s can do it much better.
 I think this result is reasonable for that John Curl has been improving the circuit over the years.

...However, the JC5 is a stereo amp, which I guess is relatively limited in delivering power and current comparing to monos, especially in low impedance.
Afterall, I am really expecting that the new JC1+ can combine the advantages of both. But $17k is not inexpensive. Just waiting for more feedbacks.:)

Hey guys, has anyone compared the JC1+s to the JC1s? Waiting for sharing.

We’ll I’m fresh off a two week trial of the JC5 (really like it), previously had dual mono Cambridge 851w’s and the JC5 was a jump up in detail, depth, width and microdynamics. Can’t say anything bad about, actually is an amazing amp.

Wanted to run bi-amped dual mono JC5’s in hopes of greater sound stage separation and any other audible benefits (as with my 851’s) and at their price (10k) said "what the hell" and now have the JC1+’s set up.

I’ve only had a chance to listen to 20 minutes of music, and broke down the JC5, so I can’t jump back and forth. What I’m noticing right out of the gates is the deep detail the JC1+’s give in there class A operation. Just so much depth and texture brought out that I seriously never picked up on, or maybe more easily pick up on now.

However the power of the JC1+’s is kinda throwing me a curve. My speakers are 103" (L) and 112" (R) from my listening chair, and had with the JC5 my R/L balance set to 2db favoring the right speaker. Sounded fantastic and had great center imaging. The JC1+ has my left channel speaker really jumping out and overly favoring the closer speaker. I didn’t even touch my speakers while setting up the JC1+’s, but way over powering left channel now. I listen at a 0db balance and really like what I hear (minus the left speaker dominance), but when I dial over the balance to a more neutral sound now at 4db favoring the right speaker, I feel the overall sound feels restrained and not as vibrant overall as it was in a 0db.

I just need some more sit down time to really flesh it out more.

Innuous Zenith3+Phoenix USB, Musetec MH-DA005, Technics SU-R1000, JC1+'s, JBL L100 75's, Dual KEF 12b subs

@ja_kub_sz Hope all is well with you. I wanted to see if you ended up getting more time with the JC1+ and have feedback to share about the differences of those versus the JC5? 

@christianb5s4 

Well I have a completely different system now and a new house, and I'm gonna be completing a tube based system end of month.

But as far as the JC1+ go... I have them paired with my Focal Sopra No.3 in a large (18'x52') room.

As for the JC5 vs JC1+... I'm of the opinion now that it's all about your speakers, room size and listening habits.

If you have 90+db 8ohm speakers, listen at moderate sound levels, and have a small room, then JC5 would be all you need (95+% what the JC1+ offer for half the price).

However if you have hard to drive speakers, and want the most out of them then JC1+.

If I had my Sopra 3's with the JC5 I would just stayed put, I have 80 class A tube watts powering my Sopra's and they sound amazing, but again I have the Mola Mola Tambaqui now so that too changes things.

All and all... I really would say JC5's and spending the difference in price on the Tambaqui would bring more audio nirvana then the JC1+ alone.

@ja_kub_sz Well I have Focal Kanta 3s and spent a lot of time with Sopras, so similar house sound so your thoughts are even more helpful. Thank you for that, I guess the upgrade itch is always there to an extent hence my curiosity.

@christianb5s4 Kanta... Nice, yeah I wouldn't feel too compelled. Honestly the price difference of a JC5 to JC1+ being 7-10k... I would invest elsewhere (sub's/DAC) I did all of the above, DAC, amps, sub's, speakers, cables and power conditioner. So mine was kinda like an all in push since I have 3 systems now at my new house (possibly better off just with one dream system) with my one main system in a communal and large area and then my second system in my office/listening room, last one system in my workshop.

Out of curiosity, what sub's and DAC are you running?

@ja_kub_sz  For 2 channel listening, no subs yet. For the rest of the setup, Lumin U1 streamer w/ X1 PSU, Denafrips Terminator+ DAC, Pass Labs XP22 pre, various GIK room treatments, and very good cabling. It's a great system, but as we know, the curiosity of improvement is there. As it sits, I'm extremely happy with only certain areas that in my imagination could be improved slightly mainly in bit more midrange and a more refined high frequency response (but not veer into harshness).

 

Purely off price alone, the JC5 is the cheapest part of the whole system by quite a margin not that it necessarily means a lot. I'm also considering Coda 16 as another top amp contender. The challenge is in my area, all the dealers I've visited do not allow home demos no matter the brand.

@christianb5s4 wow Coda 16 is incredible. Was considering a Coda myself, but not the 16. I got a screening deal on my JC1+ direct from Parasound after they used the amps at a show. So new essentially, but absolute not new pricing. When I was talking to them they told me I could purchase the one they were showcasing and did just that.

@ja_kub_sz A good deal certainly never hurts! One great thing about buying used and smart is break in is done for you.