PARASOUND JC3 JR PHONO AMPLIFIER REVIEW - SINGLE-ENDED AND BALANCED PLAY & MUCH MORE!

[@TheAudiophileMan]

UPDATE: This video has now been updated with 'live' chapter headings, accessible within the Description.

[@lokerola]

I know this review is about a year old, but I'm really enjoying my jc3 jr. I'm running a Technics SL-1500C and AT OC9XEN MC cart and using RCA cables. It all sounds quite wonderful to me. I really like how adjustable the gain settings are.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Time doesn’t matter :) Appreciate your comments.

[@Extremesam43]

That's exactly why we watch you Phil. We want the straight talk. There are plenty of reviewers who sound more like sales reps. That only clouds our buying decisions. I have the Parasound Zphono XRM I like it and I'm curious if you've had time to review that one as well.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Thanks Sam, when I see Phil I'll be sure to let him know ;)

[@Extremesam43]

Very sorry PAUL. Apparently my headphones are too tight.

[@vicweast]

@@Extremesam43 ha ha... too-tight headphones might lead to hair loss...

[@andrewhicks5704]

Own this pre, very accurate review, I use balanced connection, it’s definitely the best way to go.

[@jerryjerry3904]

FWIW, it would be interesting to note the difference in sound if the other Ohm settings were tried. I've found that the cartridge manufacture's recommendation doesn't always correspond with the best sound one can get from the cartridge.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

I recently purchased the JC3 JR after owning their XRM phono pre. They both had a similar sound. When I focused on the dynamics, the JC3 Jr had more. The bass was tighter, accents were brought forward and the front to rear of the music went deeper. However the difference is not a big one and you really have to A/B them back and forth. When you focus on the dynamics and not the sound, I found the JC3 Jr to offer something more impressive. On CSN&Y the bass was tighter while on the XRM it was rounder. Drums had a little more punch. I found this phono preamp to be excellent. However is the 7 or 8% difference in dynamics worth it? You would need a good turntable using very good cartrdige to hear the difference. If you have the good turntable and the money, the little extra depth and punch is worth it to me.

[@vicweast]

Thanks for the review. I have found that changing cables and interfaces along with other tweaks absolutely change the game. If only more preamps offered multiple balanced inputs...

[@terrypukas3737]

Always loved your videos especially the ones on phono preamps and turntables. Thank you for your honesty very much appreciated makes me want to tune in so much more.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Thanks Terry!

[@RillenReiner]

@@TheAudiophileMan Did you ever created a kind of list which could help to understand which phono preamp at which price point. I am completely drawn between so many models and you can not compare them at a hifi dealer, unfortunately.

[@llee4225]

I wonder when using balanced output and reducing gain, the phono preamp would be less stressed by the lower gain/voltage output?

[@anmic3590]

Hi! Thank you for your very honest thoughts. Will the jc3 jr be a wow difference compared with the P6s phono? I heard that the xrm is not much better than the P6 and xrm vs jc3 jr is also not a day/night difference. What would you recommend for my Planar 3 2000 with a Linn Adikt cartridge? I have the a23+ too and a pair of Focals Aria 948 with 2 svs subs sb-1000 pro. Thank you!

[@marcbegine]

Darren Mayer (previously PS Audio) engineers the JC3+ now (about 5.000€)😎

[@jeremiahchamberlin4499]

I appreciate the honest appraisal of this review as I am considering the purchase of this unit, but comparing it to PS Audio’s Stellar Phono Stage. While eyeing McIntosh MP100, while wishing I had the budget for an MP1100 or a Parasound JC3+; while wondering how any of them compare to Tavish Design’s Adagio or the Iota Design’s units. I’m sold on balanced outputs (and inputs?), I don’t really want DIP switches, but I don’t mind separate boxes. Like you, I wonder why Parasound and PS Audio go for a single full width and depth but 1/2 height box. I suppose, to “stack” it under or on top of other full size equipment. It does look nice, though. You never mentioned how a mono button would be useful- 78’s? Older 45’s?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Hi Jeremiah - thanks for your kind comment and for your thoughts on this one. A mono button is used when playing mono records although I'd heartily recommend the use of a specialist mono cartridge, if you decide to do that. To get the best from them.

[@jimdalto6254]

I just replaced my JC3+ with a Herron Audio VTPH-2A. There was something not right with the JC3+. I thought it was either the op amps or the loading potentiometer. The Herron uses tubes and loading plugs (although I prefer not using any loading, regardless of what cartridge I’m using). My tube gear is all single ended so I never tried it balanced.

[@ceylonmooney]

man im lookin at all the same preamps

[@jeremiahchamberlin4499]

@@ceylonmooney I wound up with an ELAC Alchemy series PPA-2 with XLR. Inputs and outputs. It is dead quiet. Then I found a C100 unexpectedly, and its phono stage is even better. I upgraded the cartridge too (together with a turntable), my vinyl (and my system) has never sounded better.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

Thank you for your review which I found to be quite helpful. I have a NAD 658 preamp and I use it for my MM Grado cartridge with my Dual CS500 turntable. I was considering the Parasound XRM phono preamp. However after much investigation I am hopeful that the JC3 Jr which is a real John Curl design will provide an improved sound.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

I ended up getting the XRM phono preamp. The folks at Parasound advised me that this preamp is much better than you may think. While using a MM cartridge with my setup, I was told I would not notice much benefit of the JC3 Jr. You would need to get a higher end turntable like a Rega P6 with a MC cartridge to really appreciate the extra fidelity of the JC3 Jr. So I purchased the XRM phono preamp. Compared to my NAD 658 phono preamp, the sound was bigger, fuller and it provided a higher volume while being quiet. Until I move up to a higher end turntable, I am going to keep my XRM phone preamp. It is really that good.

[@ceylonmooney]

i enjoyed the review. was just usin a 275 WPC parasound power amp. the jc3 jr is 1500 USD new everywhere in the US; the price ur quoting is nearly double that. i dont understand.

[@chuckolson5219]

I have a tube amp with only SE inputs and was going to purchase a JC3 jr until I saw this review. Would it make any difference if I went to a balanced to RCA cable out from the JC3 jr into my tube amp? Not sure I'd still get that balance output benefit you mention here. thanks

[@markkinsman5013]

Great review. How was the finish quality of the JC3 jr? I’ve found the Parasound Halo A23+ power amplifier to be a bit of a mixed result finish wise. Faceplates fine but the bottom of the cover on 2 samples of the A23+ contained finish flaws, clearly done during assembly. That said, your review is very timely for me as I just purchased the Parasound A23+ power amplifier and I am considering purchasing more of their products.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Not bad. Not amazing but not bad. Have a look yourself and see what you think. Click my website review and then click on the images (not the lead image, the others below) and you get a close up. The little 'ears' on the front look a bit functional and the rear is 'practical' I would say but it does the job.

[@markkinsman5013]

@@TheAudiophileMan I cant find a website review on your site. Only a short paragraph with the Youbtube video below it. Also a note that this is an archive review.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

@@markkinsman5013 Here you go: theaudiophileman.com/jc3-jr-parasound-phono-review/ There's a little search icon, top right of the home page, in case you need to go look for other stuff in the future.

[@markkinsman5013]

@@TheAudiophileMan Thank you. Cant see the bottom edges. Actually I was referring to the bottom edges of the cover’s sides. You would have to view the preamp bottom to actually see the flaws. However, they do look like finish nicks - not something I would expect to see on a new product.

[@barneyjones5174]

Interesting comment about using balanced. Have a JC 3 Jr. and doing RCA direct to fully active speakers that don't have balanced inputs. Paul, do you think the change in sound that you observed when switching to balanced would also apply to fully active speakers if they had both RCA and balanced inputs?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

It depends on the implementation, Barney. Balanced doesn't automatically mean 'best'. I'd try a demo first if it means handing over cash.

[@scottspinner1]

Great review paul interesting phono stage.

[@amarcy5369]

Hi paul nice one. Now I reckon that some time ago you had the same experience,from something going from being ok to really good when balanced connection where used as for the unit in question I can’t remember. Now of course it does beg the question why doesn’t everything in hifi have this option . And again excuse my ignorance but is it just the cables from the amp to the phono stage that we are on about ? Best wishes and kind regards as always 😀👍👍👍

[@TheAudiophileMan]

God question - because not everyone *does* balanced well. Balanced can often be poorly implemented which means it can sound worse than single-ended RCA mode. Also, adding balanced adds to your costs. Some amps don't have the case to include it or the manufacturer might prefer to spend that cash on something else instead.

[@SVPvideo1]

I agree, that the Parasound Halo JC jr. sound better than the JC3+. I find the unit has hum in either mode.

[@jerryjerry3904]

Not to intrude, but you might try a Power Conditioner. A relatively cheap Furman unit may fix that hum and provide a quieter background, or use a ground wire if there is a connection provided for it.

[@madcrabber1113]

I've watched several interviews/sales spiel with a guy from Parasound and honestly his demeanor etc. turned me off to Parasound. If he wasn't talking to you that is a good thing imho.

[@1oriss]

What a man, Prog rock and more impressively the mighty BJH wow.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Hehe.

[@douglasbonner6543]

Just keep being honest Paul. Parasound is good gear but not great. I love the cheesy plastic end caps.

[@marcus1970]

I'm certain they've done away with those on all Halo components these days.