• PRESS RELEASE

    For immediate release:

    A Chip Off the Old Monoblock

    Parasound debuts their Halo JC 5 stereo amplifier with 400 watts, outstanding sound quality, value, and the soul of two John Curl Halo JC 1 monoblocks.
    SAN FRANCISCO (4/10/18) — Parasound has introduced its Halo JC 5 stereo amplifier that was designed by audio legend John Curl. Delivering a remarkable 400 watts per channel, the Parasound Halo JC 5 distills the essence of two top-of-the-line Halo JC 1 monoblock power amplifiers into a single chassis that is the same size as one JC 1. The new Parasound Halo JC 5 combines high power and ultra-high bias Class A/AB sonic quality at roughly two-thirds the price of a pair of JC 1s.
    The Parasound Halo JC 1 monoblock was designed by John Curl and introduced 16 years ago to instant international acclaim. It is acknowledged as the benchmark for amplifier performance and value. In 2003, Stereophile awarded it 'Amplifier of the Year' and has honored it as a 'Class A Recommended Component' twice a year for fifteen years - far longer than any other audio component.
    "The new JC 5 is a remarkable amplifier that creates a new sweet spot in our Halo product family," said Richard Schram, the president and founder of Parasound. "Our customers often tell us they love everything the JC 1 offers while wondering if we could deliver comparable performance in a no-compromise stereo amplifier, and save them money and space. We challenged John Curl to distill the essence of two JC 1 mono blocks into a single chassis, and the result has exceeded everyone's expectations."
    The Parasound Halo JC 5 stereo amplifier is profoundly powerful and supremely musical. High bias class A/AB provides 12 watts per channel pure class A power and Class AB effortlessly to its 400 watts per channel 8 ohm rating. It can also deliver 600 watts per channel into 4 ohms, and it can be bridged to mono for 1,200 watts into 8 ohms. The output stage employs 24 beta-matched, 15 ampere, 60 MHz bipolar transistors to deliver a formidable peak current of 90 amperes.
    The power supply employs a 1.7 kVA shielded toroid power transformer with a premium H18 grade steel core. It has independent secondary windings for its dual-mono power supply. As with the JC 1, input stage B+/B- rails are 10 V above the output stage rails to eliminate any chance of distortion caused by voltage sagging when the amp is under load. Independent power supplies for left and right channels input stages employ filter caps totaling 8,880 µF. Driver and output stages employ massive Rubycon filter caps totaling 132,000 µF.
    The Halo JC 5 is direct-coupled, protected by DC servo circuits to eliminate coupling capacitors while extending bass response down to 5 Hz. Its balanced inputs use discrete circuits with Neutrik locking XLR connectors, and Vampire 24k gold-plated RCA input and loop output jacks. Five-way "propeller" speaker binding posts are custom-manufactured for Parasound by CHK Infinium. They are 24k gold-plated and accept 7-gauge bare wire. The premium-quality 9 foot detachable IEC 12 gauge power cord features silver-soldered connectors.
    Parasound's refined Halo design aesthetic is evident in JC 5. Slim, hand-milled solid aluminum endcaps with gold highlights amplify its grace and elegance. The JC 5 is available in silver or black. Rackmount hardware for its four rack space chassis is included. The net weight is 73 lbs.
    The Parasound Halo JC 5 Stereo Amplifier is available from Parasound US dealers and international distributors with a suggested retail price of $5,999.
    For more information on Parasound products, visit http://www.parasound.com.
    About ParasoundFounded in 1981, Parasound Products, Inc., is a privately-owned U.S. company that specializes in providing affordable audio components to the critical listener. The company's ever-improving line of audio products has garnered a reputation for performance, value, and reliability, with quality control and customer service that is second to none.
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Features & Specifications

Circuitry designed by legendary John CurlUltra-high bias Class A/AB operation12 watts per channel of pure Class A power90 amperes peak current per channelStable with speaker impedance dips to 1.5 ohmsBalanced inputs with discrete circuitsCHK Infinium, custom 5-way speaker binding postsNeutrik locking XLR input connectorsVampire gold-plated RCA input & loop output jacksDirect-coupled signal path, no capacitors or inductorsDC Servo and relay protection circuitsAC turn-on inrush surge protection with relay bypassDual-mono input stages with ±110 volt DC railsJFET input stage, MOSFET driver stage24 beta-matched 15 ampere, 60 MHz bipolar output transistors1.7 kVA shielded toroid power transformer with independent windings for each channelIndependent power supplies for left & right channel input stages, driver stages, output stages8,880 µF Nichicon Gold Tune filter capacitors for input stages132,000 µF Rubycon filter capacitors for output stagesFull power is rated all the way down to 5Hz for unrestricted low-end bassHarris hyper-fast soft-recovery bridge diode rectifiersAutomatic turn-on by 12 V trigger or audio sensingFour rack-space chassis with rear carry handlesRack mount hardware is includedPremium quality 9-ft, 12-gauge IEC power cord, with silver soldered connectorsFinish: Available in silver or black
400 watts x 2 @ 8 ohms RMS, both channels driven600 watts x 2 @ 4 ohms RMS, both channels driven1200 watts x 1@ 8 ohms, in mono bridged modeFrequency Response: 5 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB; 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.25 dBSlew Rate: > 130 volts per microsecondTotal Harmonic Distortion (THD) < 0.05 % at full power; < 0.03 % at typical listening levelsIM Distortion: < 0.04 %TIM: UnmeasurableInter-channel Crosstalk > 87 dB at 1 kHz; > 72 dB at 20 kHzTotal Gain: 29 dBS/N Ratio: > 116 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted; > 111 dB, input shorted, unweightedDamping Factor: > 1200 at 20 kHzDimensions: 17-5/8" x 7-3/4" x 20" (WxHxD)Net Weight: 73 lbs.

Parasound Products Inc.

2250 McKinnon Avenue San Francisco, CA 94124 415-397-7100 www.parasound.com