Halo is Parasound’s premier line with a reputation for going head-to-head with the most expensive equipment on the market, while costing a fraction of the price. Halo has earned honors and awards that are unmatched.
Parasound Halo Series JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamplifier
Halo is Parasound’s premier line with a reputation for going head-to-head with the most expensive equipment on the market, while costing a fraction of the price. Halo has earned honors and awards that are unmatched. Parasound's Halo JC 3 Jr. is John Curl design with unbalanced inputs and outputs using Vampire RCA jacks, plus balanced outputs using Neutrik XLR jacks. A variable MC load adjusts both channels from 50-550 Ohms.
Designed by John Curl
John Curl is one of the finest analog audio designers of all time. In the ‘70s he designed mixing consoles for the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, then the original Mark Levinson JC 2, Vendetta Research, his own brand, a $75,000 phono stage for Constellation Audio. Since 1989 Curl has guided Parasound in developing amplifiers and preamplifiers with a reputation for superior sonics, high value and longevity.
Multiple Cartridge Settings
A custom-made three-position input impedance/gain switch provides for 47k Ohm MM, variable impedance MC, and 47k Ohm MC. The latter is an ideal load for some MC cartridges and high-end moving iron cartridges. Variable MC load adjust independent for each channel from 50-550 ohms with dual gang potentiometers specially made for Parasound by Vishay.
Balanced XLR Outputs
Recording and broadcast studios use balanced connections exclusively because of their inherent ability to reject noise and hum, thus assuring the best sound. Certain high quality preamplifiers and surround controllers built for residential use utilize balanced connections with XLR jacks for the same reasons. All Parasound Halo series power amplifiers have balanced inputs with XLR jacks so you can take full advantage of their inherent noise reduction capability.
Toroid Power Transformer
High speed-soft recovery bridge rectifiers and common mode inductors. Low ESD power supply filter caps offer greater reserve for head-snapping dynamics. Shielded toroid power transformer reduces noise. Aluminum shield separates power supply and audio circuits. Incredible S/N up to 94 dB and THD less than 0.02%.