Parasound JC1's vs. Sim Audio W10

Both the Nichicon and the Black Gate use an unusual electrolyte and there are some oil filled caps that take a while to break-in as well.........JC-1s go through a similar phenomenon as the VR4jrs as imagine they were dull as dirt from 35-55 days and then opened up big time........Had a similar problem with WBT binding posts so lord knows what is the cause, but Curl thinks he has tracked down the severe break-in problem on the JC-1s to the high current Nichicon caps.......Whatever it is on the VR4jrs the way to proceed is to talk to the manufacturer and get his take on break-in as some of the better parts take inordinate times to open up..........I would get the manufacturer's take on break-in times and run with it........Funny, but some of the cheapest parts break in easier than the fancy spreads.......

Thanks for your input, Bob! I own a pair of JC1's and love them with my Magnepan's.

It's usually reported that most high-end companies do extensive listening to select parts, design, etc. How do long breakin parts factor into this process? It seems it would take an enormous amount of time to settle upon the best mix if you had to wait for parts to breakin this long? Do you limit the parts to a select few based on circuit analysis and/or experience?

Thanks,
Jordan

Hi Jordan......I spent a couple years updating the HCA-3500 before specifying parts for the JC-1s. I spent over ten years working out the passive parts for the CTC Blowtorch.......This included break-in of 30-60 days per change so lots of patience involved.......Circuit analysis is the job of the electrical engineer and voicing the circuit is a job for a listener........I have been taking notes for the past 25 years and keep a book of the changes I hear in parts, but, of course, have my favorites.......It is rare I run into trouble (going backwards) any longer, but I sure did twenty years ago.......It is an experience thing primarily and sure wish Curl could measure parts changes, but that is normally not the case........

I think that an amp that offers no feedback is far more accurate than one that doesn't. If your are seeking a very neutral amp that has the front end to support it, then I would strongly consider the Sim W-10's. I have heard that the Parasound is a good sounding amp, weather it has garnered the same International press as the Sim products is probably worth researching.I have had the pleasure of having a older W-5 in my system and was amazed at the sheer musicality that it offered.I also was shocked at the dynamics and the resolution it was capable of, it threw a soundstage that you could land the Enterprise on.The only concern is with the rest of your system, if it is on the hot side then you may not like what the Sim shows you.I hope that one day I may also own a powerhouse pair of monoblocks, since my speakers absorb quite readily. Hope this helps and good hunting-Dennis

Dennis - I have had and still own some NGF (no global feedback) amps, the CODA's. They are very sweet on the highs, but the JC-1's left them in the dust for detail, particularly with mods. The new Coda's are definitely better, because they are using better parts now (I heard them at CES). However, the Bass control of the JC-1's is hard to beat. NGF designs will never be capable of this. You really need NGF to get bass control and pristine, sweet highs are possible with it as well.