Well, the output impedance of the First Sound pre-amps is in the 1200-Ohm range. There should be no problem driving the Halo JC-1. Will you use long interconnect between the pre' and pwr amps?
I can heartily recommend the First Sound 4.0 with Paramount upgrade. I have just that model with a twist; I opted for the “Paramount *Plus*” upgrade. The 4.0 with P Plus upg just might fall in the knee of the price : performance ratio curve in the line up.
I have no direct experience in my system with either of the other two pre-amps. (I am familiar with the related Aesthetix Io phono stage, though (with a line input, as a friend of mine has one.)
In the case of the First Sound in relationship to the others, it has the fewest tubes and probably the simplest circuit. Sound quality is the primary factor, of course, but ease of maintenance, tube compliment, heat, and size also may enter into your decision process. The Aesthetix is huge with more tubes in it than any other pre that I know of, and gives off a lot of heat. The looks of the Supratek is more striking than the First Sound. It too has many more tubes than the FS.
Simplicity also seems to correlate to the First Sound pre-amps having a direct, pure, dynamic, open quality. The First Sound preamps bring to bare the axiom of less is more. The signal is not hyped; the noise floor is dropped. The result is a stunning, alive, presentation that has a presence and purity that becomes addictive.
Good luck on your quest.
I can heartily recommend the First Sound 4.0 with Paramount upgrade. I have just that model with a twist; I opted for the “Paramount *Plus*” upgrade. The 4.0 with P Plus upg just might fall in the knee of the price : performance ratio curve in the line up.
I have no direct experience in my system with either of the other two pre-amps. (I am familiar with the related Aesthetix Io phono stage, though (with a line input, as a friend of mine has one.)
In the case of the First Sound in relationship to the others, it has the fewest tubes and probably the simplest circuit. Sound quality is the primary factor, of course, but ease of maintenance, tube compliment, heat, and size also may enter into your decision process. The Aesthetix is huge with more tubes in it than any other pre that I know of, and gives off a lot of heat. The looks of the Supratek is more striking than the First Sound. It too has many more tubes than the FS.
Simplicity also seems to correlate to the First Sound pre-amps having a direct, pure, dynamic, open quality. The First Sound preamps bring to bare the axiom of less is more. The signal is not hyped; the noise floor is dropped. The result is a stunning, alive, presentation that has a presence and purity that becomes addictive.
Good luck on your quest.