Review: Parasound Halo JC-1 Mono-Blocks Amplifier

Category: Amplifiers

My system isn't exactly state-of-the-art, but it suits my tastes to a tee! I listen mainly to pop, r&b, country, alternative, and some jazz and rock.I listen to the best recordings I have to evaluate components.I want sound that is accurate, smooth, dynamic, open, fast, clean, and like an open, extended top-end, and bass that is tight, fast, and extended. I want good imaging and soundstaging with a slightly forward perspective.I don't really care a whole lot for excessive warmth or a laid-back sound. I don't like slow, boomy, or under-damped bass at all. I hate too forward, aggressive, thin, and bright sound also.
The JC-1's deliver everything I like in spades!! And does not do any of the things that I don't like.They are the most awesome amplifiers that I have ever heard or owned, bar none! It is though they are voiced to suit my particular tastes!
I normally do not write reviews, but my enthusiasm for these amps is so great, that I cannot contain my enthusiasm for them! CTC and Parasound must be praised and recognized for bringing such a product of excellence to the audio marketplace! Thanks guys!
I did own the Parasound HCA-3500 and Adcom GFA-5802 amplifiers, and I extensively listened to a friends Pass X-350 amp.The Parasound JC-1's are in a different league than the 3500 or 5802! The Pass is an exceptional amplifer, but I prefer the JC-1's.It is slightly warmer and has better bass extension and control than the Pass.Imaging, focus, and transparency is very similar.The JC-1's also sound more effortless and at ease than the Pass.It just sounds more neutral and natural to my ears! The Pass may have a tad more top-end extension, but this is irrelevant to me.Keep in mind also that my JC-1's have only about 100 hours on them, so they are no where near broken-in. This will require about 1,300 more hours.
The Parasound HCA-3500, Adcom GFA-5802, and McCormack DNA-225, are great amplifiers, but the JC-1's are in a different league! The HCA-3500 is more opaque sounding, and is harsher and grainier in the mids and highs compared to the JC-1's.The HCA-3500 does not have the bass extension, control, and tightness that the JC-1's have.The JC-1's sound smoother, cleaner, more natural, and faster than the 3500, Adcom 5802 or the DNA-225.
The Adcom is warmer and more laid-back, with a slight roll-off of the top-end, but a little more forward in the "presence" region, compared to the JC-1's.The Adcoms bass is slower, less extended, less powerful, and less controlled also. The Adcom is less transparent, open, airy, and detailed than the JC-1.
The DNA-225 is a great amp that is fast,detailed, dynamic, images great, and has great bass, but compared to the JC-1, it isn't as transparent, neutral, fast, or as open.
The JC-1's have a slightly warmer sound, faster, slightly more detailed, and have better image width and depth than the DNA-225. The JC-1's bass is also better contolled, and extended. The top-end is comparable, except that the DNA-225 is a tad grainier and a alittle courser. The DNA 225 also sounds alittle leaner and more "thread-bare" in the mids than the JC-1's.
I can really find no weaknesses with the JC-1's, except maybe the heat they can produce when used in the HIGH-BIAS mode, and they take up more room than a single chassis amp.
Sonically though, they are exceptional! Some people might find them alittle forward, maybe a little warm, or polite, but not me! Some tube lovers also might not be 100% happy with these amps, but, I am enthusiastically 100% pleased and satisfied with these amps. They suit me and my system to a tee!
Michael Fremer and Sam Tellig hit the nail-on-the-head with these amps! Everything they wrote about them is 100% accurate!
Even if I were wealthy, I think I would still choose these amplifiers! THEY ARE THAT GOOD, and I give them my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! Check 'em out!
I AM IN NO WAY ASSOCIATED OR AFFILIATED WITH PARASOUND, ITS DEALERS, OR WITH CTC BUILDERS.I am just an average, at home audio enthusiast!

Associated gear
Sony CD/SACD Player.
Modded Pioneer DV-47Ai Universal DVD Player.
Adcom GFP-750 preamp.
LAT Internationals best interconnects and speaker cables-Externally Bi-wired.
Paradigm Reference Studio/100 version 2 loudspeakers.

Similar products
Parasound HCA-3500, Adcom GFA-5802, McCormack DNA-225, Carver A-760x, Pass Labs X-350.