I love tube preamps and successfully ran my JC5 with the Cary Audio SLP-05. The SLP98 is also very nice. Each have plenty of gain and will give you a huge sound stage that projects in all directions.
Preamp Recommendations For the Parasound JC 5 Amp
I’m looking to get a high-end solid state preamp that’s on the sonic level as the Pass Labs XP-22 Preamp and X250.8. I’m looking for large soundstage, air, 3-D holographic sound, and detail without sounding analytical.
I feel more sure of the Parasound JC 5 Amp. I’m looking for preamp suggestions, and not sure if the JC 2 BP is the best option for the money.
I do have a Don Sachs DS 2 6SN7-based tube preamp that I can also mate with it. I’d like switching between solid state and tube preamps.
QUESTIONS:
1. How is the Parasound JC 2 BP and JC combination?
2. Does the JC 2 BP have to be turned up high to get decent volume?
3. Does a tube preamp mate well with a JC 5 Amp?
I previously purchased a Pass Labs XP-22 and X250.8. Sonically, it was exactly what I was looking for - refined, detailed, airy, holographic. But the XP-22 had to be turned up 75% to 2 o’clock (75%) position for decent volume levels. Also the XLR connections on the X250.8 wobbled - salesperson said that’s normal. That didn’t inspire confidence, so I returned everything at a $700 loss…. Hopefully, the next solid state purchase will be more pleasant.
Thanks
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I currently run an XP22 with my JC5 and love it. Definitely on the neutral end to my ears, and it's a great match. Speakers are Focal Kanta 3s, DAC is Denafrips terminator plus, Lumin U1, good cables, etc. Very detailed, transparent, and never harsh.
I usually listen at volumes between 60 - 75, 75 is pretty loud. |
@yogiboy Good point! The ones I’m looking at are >12dB. The XP-22 is 9.3dB. @christianb5s4 and @avanti1960, thank you! I make my own speakers and cables, so I have several pairs lined next to each other. I like switching between tube/ss preamps, tube/ss amps, cable, and speaker combinations. The speaker crossovers are voiced using Mundorf Silver Oil, Jupiter Cu, Jantzen SCap, and Duelund Cu, etc. They add tremendously to the dimensionality of the music. |
- 13 posts total