PARASOUND JC 3+ PHONOPREAMP

Once audiophiles move up the ladder with high quality turntables and cartridges, the next step is finding the right phono preamplifier. The turntable, cartridge, and phono stage trio (and sometimes tonearm) leave many variables, so choosing a phono preamp that fits the technical parameters, and is a good fit sonically, can be a challenge.

The JC 3+ evolves from the JC 3, with some considerable changes. Probably the most consequential is the addition of new loading options on the back panel, which is variable from 50 to 550 ohms, as well as 47K MM loading. Listeners can also fix the loading at 47k for MC. This opens up more possibilities for matching with different esoteric cartridges.

Enter the Parasound JC 3+. It is the evolution of a design by one of Parasound’s sonic architects, John Curl. Curl is also responsible for Parasound’s best known amplifier designs. We won’t parse through the entire history of his association with Parasound, but, suffice to say, his work endures today. We recently reviewed the Parasound Halo Hint 6 integrated amplifier and were highly impressed by its performance as a Swiss Army Knife of audio products, with a world beating onboard DAC, and superb phono stage.

Another big change is the redesigned power supply. A much larger transformer was employed to maximize dynamics. Various other critical parts and circuit signal paths were refined as well. Interestingly, the JC 3+ has its own onboard AC line conditioner to ensure the lowest noise possible. There are RCA inputs and both RCA and XLR outputs, and even a switch for true mono. The build quality and finish are superb, with very high quality connectors, knobs, and switches all round. The case can be ordered in silver or black. The Parasound JC 3+ retails for $3199