Parasound Halo JC 2 BP Preamplifier

A stereo preamp with HT bypass and both single-ended and balanced inputs.

With six inputs, two of which can be switched from RCA to XLR, and assignable HT bypass the Parasound Halo JC 2 BP brings high-end sound that integrates into living room stereo and cinema setups.

The Upscale View

Parasound is one of the industry's low-key, high-return brands. It's not always the first name on a customer's lips, yet is a hugely respected and loved brand by people who work in high-end audio. This isn't just because of the legendary John Curl who is behind most of its top-flight designs, but also because Parasound uses such expensive and solid engineering, yet is able to price its products so reasonably. Parasound is the brand of choice for someone who really knows good sound, but doesn't have the budget for audio jewellery.

Great Versatility

A home theater bypass lets you share your stereo system speakers with your home cinema system. The JC 2 BP offers HT bypass on both unbalanced and balanced inputs and outputs, and it can be assigned to any input.

Dual-mono left and right channel circuits minimize crosstalk, and the preamp is direct DC servo-coupled, no capacitors in the signal path. It uses hand-matched complementary FETs and there are separate TKD brand analog gain controls for the left and right channels.

Premium 4-gang motor-driven analog master volume control offers hi-fi-grade attenuation, and there is 3/8" thick aluminum shielding around audio boards, as well as an aluminum chassis rear panel. All connector and wiring brands are top-shelf: Vampire 24k gold-plated RCA jacks, Neutrik premium XLR connectors, Canare brand internal wiring.

The JC 2 BP uses a high-capacity R-core audio power transformer and inductor with hyper-fast soft recovery audio bridge rectifier diodes. There is an independent power supply for the controller, relay coils, triggers, and LEDs, keeping noise away from audio signals.

Features

• 2 x 6' (2m) trigger wires included
• Remote handset also controls Parasound Halo T 3 Tuner
• 3u Chassis, rack mountable with HRA3 (sold separately)

Specifications

Inputs: 6 x stereo RCA, 2 x stereo XLR, 12 V trigger

Outputs: stereo RCA fixed, stereo RCA inverted polarity line, stereo RCA pre, stereo XLR pre, 4 x 12 V trigger 

Max. Gain: 14 dB

Dimensions (WHD): 17-1/4" x 5-7/8" x 16" (438 x 149 x 406 mm)

Weight: 24 lb. (10.9 kg)