Parasound - JC 2 Stereo Preamplifier ? ...

joeinid

joeinid

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Anybody own one? I'd love your opinion. Thanks! :audiophile:

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Joe-I don't own one, but there has been plenty of reviews and from the preamps you either have owned or do own, I think you have heard and own better. If you want the best preamp that John Curl knows how to design and build, go forth and find ye a Blowtorch preamp. Some of the best minds in the business developed that preamp and it was designed and built to be the best in the world.
 
I could be wrong, but I thought the Blowtorch was John Curl's (and the other involved engineers) all-out assault on the state of the art.
 
mep said:
Joe-I don't own one, but there has been plenty of reviews and from the preamps you either have owned or do own, I think you have heard and own better. If you want the best preamp that John Curl knows how to design and build, go forth and find ye a Blowtorch preamp. Some of the best minds in the business developed that preamp and it was designed and built to be the best in the world.
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I think it might be difficult to find one now. I could be wrong.

Mike said:
What about the Constellation preamp?
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The Virgo II is probably is making the most sense at this point. It's in my top 4 or 5 for sure.
 
I came across this some time back and thought it was interesting. According to john curl different designers did the main designs for each different piece of equipment
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He actually gives a TON of insight in not only design, but company policies and personal experience with different people in the biz. Lots of good reading
 
Regarding the JC2 I owned one for awhile. I will say it was probably the best build quality of any electronics I've owned. Sound wise though I was not blown away. I guarantee this primaluna I have now is more transparent. Not that it was bad, just that I expected greatness and didn't hear it.
 
jaxwired said:
Regarding the JC2 I owned one for awhile. I will say it was probably the best build quality of any electronics I've owned. Sound wise though I was not blown away. I guarantee this primaluna I have now is more transparent. Not that it was bad, just that I expected greatness and didn't hear it.
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The JC2 is not representative of JC's best work. It is representative of the best he could do at a given price point for Parasound where he is a hired gun. I don't know of anyone who claimed they had to change their underwear after hearing it.
 
Joe...not sure in what price range you are thinking for your SS pre but the JC-2 I am sure, while good for the money, will likely be bettered in the budget zip code I am guessing you are looking at ($10-20K). Remember Constellation is also coming out with their Inspiration line, and the preamp will be in the $10K range so you may want to consider that, as well as the Virgo II.

Others to consider in the SS category are the Ayre KX-R Twenty (I heard the KX-R mated to the MX-R and Sashas at a demo and that combination was very nice). KX-R reviews: http://www.stereophile.com/solidpreamps/1108ayre/; SoundStage! Ultra | SoundStageUltra.com (UltraAudio.com) | Ayre Acoustics KX-R Twenty Preamplifier

Soulution 520 preamplifier (http://www.soulution-audio.com/media/pdf/review/TAS_Series5_2013.pdf) is highly rated by Kev.

Simaudio makes great preamps. Their current top of the line is the 850P -$28K (Simaudio Moon Evolution 850P line preamplifier | Stereophile.com) but I am sure the 740P is also top of the line and I believe that's in the $10Kish range (SoundStage! Hi-Fi | SoundStageHiFi.com | Simaudio Moon Evolution 740P Preamplifier).
 
Thanks Cyril,

I am considering the KX-R Twenty, Constellation Virgo II, Soulution 520, Dag preamp (again, maybe), XP-30 again maybe, SMc VRE-1c possibly, Veloce LS-1 Lithio, Ypsilon pst-100 mkII (maybe), I am sure there are more and will be taking my time choosing.
 
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That's a nice list Joe. The Constellation is nice and the Ayre is too. I would upgrade mine to Twenty if I didn't own Momentum's and wanted to match them with Dan's preamp. If I can keep this kitchen remodel on budget the Ayre goes up for sale and in comes the pre.
 
Hi Jim,

I really do miss the sound of Dan's preamp. I just have a gut feel that with the amps that I have, it will be wonderful. I felt it blew away my Dart preamp on the Dart amp and really every other amp I tried it with was wonderful. Not that it had a sound but Dan's preamp complemented every amp I played through it. It really is a wonderful piece.


still-one said:
That's a nice list Joe. The Constellation is nice and the Ayre is too. I would upgrade mine to Twenty if I didn't own Momentum's and wanted to match them with Dan's preamp. If I can keep this kitchen remodel on budget the Ayre goes up for sale and in comes the pre.
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joeinid said:
Hi Jim,

I really do miss the sound of Dan's preamp. I just have a gut feel that with the amps that I have, it will be wonderful. I felt it blew away my Dart preamp on the Dart amp and really every other amp I tried it with was wonderful. Not that it had a sound but Dan's preamp complemented every amp I played through it. It really is a wonderful piece.
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That is a sure sign of an exemplary preamp!
 
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