You can probably get a used ARC amp for the same price range as a new JC5
Teaming Audio Research pre with Parasound JC5??
Hi,
I am lucky enough to have an Audio Research Ref 6 pre-amp, but unlucky enough not to have enough cash to twin it with an AR power amp, which in any case may not have control for my speakers, with are B & W 803 D, latest series. `I was thinking of partnering the pre-amp to a solid state power amp with respectable performance. Would the Parasound JC5 make the grade? It would meet my budget better than anything from AR, for sure, and seems to have been well received in the few reviews I have read. But any friends here have views on this?? Is it too much a case of prince and pauper??
I am lucky enough to have an Audio Research Ref 6 pre-amp, but unlucky enough not to have enough cash to twin it with an AR power amp, which in any case may not have control for my speakers, with are B & W 803 D, latest series. `I was thinking of partnering the pre-amp to a solid state power amp with respectable performance. Would the Parasound JC5 make the grade? It would meet my budget better than anything from AR, for sure, and seems to have been well received in the few reviews I have read. But any friends here have views on this?? Is it too much a case of prince and pauper??
11 responses Add your response
ginellis1 OP Don’t discount the JC5 so quick, it is designed by John Curl, in the same league as Nelson Pass. But the JC amp will have current to burn (90 amperes peak) current per channel, thanks to him loving and using BJT transistors. The B&W 803D’s are said to be similar to drive as the 802’s which both harder than the 801d"s, they are constant in the bass up to 700hz around 3ohms, and have -64 degrees negative phase below 100hz which makes them a fairly evil load for an amp. I couldn’t think of a better amp for the money than the JC5. https://www.stereophile.com/images/616BW802fig1.jpg Cheers George |
Just because John Curl designed the amp, Parasound uses good parts but does hold Mr. Curl back. In terms of power amplifiers that can easily drive a set of B&W for roughly the same price, you can get a Coda .8 which is a 250 wattt amp with the first 12 watts being in pure Class A. THe Coda .8 has a massive 3kv transformer, and is built by Doug Dale who was with Nelson Pass at Threshold. Many people consider the Coda amplifiers to be sonically similar to the Pass with a little bit less emphasis in the midrange, so similar flavor with a slighly more neutral platatte. The .8 was rave reviewed in Home Theater and they compared the amp to the Parasound and a pair of $14k Pass Mono ampliifers. If you need power with finesse, a huge soundstage, from a company who has been in business for over 20 years with a cult following throught the world you should look at a Coda. .8 just magnificient. https://hometheaterreview.com/coda-technologies-continuum-no-8-stereo-amplifier/ Dave and Troy Audio Doctor NJ Parasound and Coda dealers |
(((If you need power with finesse, a huge soundstage, from a company who has been in business for over 20 years with a cult following throught the world you should look at a Coda. .8 just magnificient.))) Dave and TroyI disagree with your well-intended recommendation His Ref six would really shine with a partnering amp with an input impedance of 100 K for best cohesive operation. The pre-owned ARC Ref 150s power amp has an ideal input impedance a great power supply fantastic performance and will sing well ginellis1 with your Ref 6 / Bower&Wilkins speakers. Best JohnnyR |
Sorry to disagree John, the older ARC amps tend to spotlight the top end a bit which may lead to a bit of additonal brightness with the 803D. Also the Ref 150 amps even used are way more expensive and then you have the issues of tube life, heat, and lack of bass control. The ARC amps are very good amplifiers, the combination of a tube preamp coupled with a powerful solid state amplifier has been the best of both world's for many years, you get the superior bass control and dynamics of the solid state amplifier, lack of noise, and zero cost to replace tubes, furthermore, you get piece of mind without having the failures of a big tube amplifier. Dave and Troy Audio Doctor NJ Coda dealers |
Jetter, it is the same ampliifer. You can order the Coda .8 with 400 watts with 6 watts Class A 250 watts with 12 watts Class A 150 watts with 18 watts Class A It all depends on how the Bias is set. The mains transformer is a massive 3kv transfomer, so the amplifier has way more power on tap then is required. The .8 amplifier is based on new output devices, from the older Coda amplifiers as well as a few other changes. One terrific high power amplifier, beats most $10k amplifiers the sound stage is positively gigantic, midrange is warm, the amp has great information retrival with a tight yet slighly warm bass. Dave and Troy Audio Doctor NJ Coda dealers |
(((may lead to a bit of additonal brightness with the 803D.)))Guaranteed speculation on your part.You know you never tried his speakers the latest 803/ ARC Ref 6 /ARC 150 together I have and its music. When listening to his Ref 6 optimized with stealth Caps, finessed out design we are dealing with an ideal 300 K input impedance ARC power amps again stealth caps, gain matched together work like magic. Why put a Ferrari up against a 25 k per leg load tow truck. Let us help the guy instead of trying to sell him a non-optimized boat anchor. Best JohnnyR |
I am using a REF5 with the JC5 powering Harbeth's 40.1 speakers. Absolutely magical combination. Bass is puncy, Midrange is incredibly smooth and high end is very sparkly. I was using the Ref150 that a lot of people suggested before and i can say that i prefer the JC5. Difficult for me to say because the amp is not manufactured in the States and Parasound may not have the prestige as Audio Research. Fully convinced after giving it a try. |