Parasound Halo JC 2 BP Preamplifier, John Curl Design, Balanced XLR, Dual Mono

The Parasound Halo JC 2 BP is a dual-mono, all-analog stereo preamplifier designed by legendary circuit designer John Curl. It is a pure line-stage component with no internal DAC or phono stage, built for listeners who want nothing between their source and their power amplifier except the shortest, quietest signal path possible.

The circuit is direct DC servo-coupled with no capacitors in the signal path. Hand-matched complementary FETs, a premium four-gang motor-driven analog volume control, and separate TKD left/right gain trims ensure that the signal reaches the power amplifier with maximum transparency and channel-accurate balance. ProHiFi is an authorised Parasound dealer in India.

Six RCA unbalanced inputs are provided, with two switchable to balanced XLR. Outputs include balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA main pairs (both with remote-switchable polarity), an inverted-polarity RCA pair, and a fixed-level recorder output. A true Home Theater Bypass locks out the volume control for seamless integration with a surround processor, and can be assigned to any input.

Stereophile's John Atkinson noted how much it did right and how little it did wrong. SoundStage! Ultra called its ability to create a realistic soundstage and convey the recording space unsurpassed. The Absolute Sound gave it an Editors' Choice Award, and Stereophile listed it as a Recommended Component. Internal construction uses Vampire 24k gold-plated RCA jacks, Neutrik XLR connectors, Canare internal wiring, and a high-capacity R-core power transformer with hyper-fast soft recovery rectifier diodes.

Key Features

• Designed by John Curl; dual-mono all-analog line stage
• DC servo-coupled; no capacitors in the signal path
• Hand-matched complementary FETs
• 6 x RCA inputs; 2 switchable to balanced XLR
• Balanced XLR and RCA main outputs; remote polarity switching
• True Home Theater Bypass assignable to any input
• Premium 4-gang motor-driven volume; TKD L/R gain trims
• SNR greater than 116dB (A-weighted); THD less than 0.003%
• 4 x 12V trigger outputs; RS-232; IR in/out
• Vampire gold RCA; Neutrik XLR; Canare internal wiring
• 437 x 406 x 150mm; 11kg; Black
• TAS Editors' Choice; Stereophile Recommended Component; SoundStage! Ultra Select

Warranty:

1-year manufacturer's warranty

Why Consider the Parasound Halo JC 2 BP

The JC 2 BP is the right choice for listeners who believe the preamplifier's job is to get out of the way entirely. John Curl's dual-mono, DC servo-coupled design with hand-matched FETs and no capacitors in the signal path delivers the kind of transparency, channel separation, and noise floor that SoundStage! Ultra described as unsurpassed in their experience. The Home Theater Bypass makes it equally practical in a system that serves both two-channel music and multichannel cinema. With a signal-to-noise ratio above 116dB and crosstalk better than 100dB at 10kHz, the JC 2 BP gives every source component it is connected to the best possible chance of being heard at its full potential.

Ideal for

• Audiophiles wanting a reference-level analog preamp for a dedicated two-channel system
• Systems pairing with Parasound Halo JC 5, A 21+, or A 23+ power amplifiers
• Home cinema/music systems needing true Home Theater Bypass for a surround processor
• Listeners with external DACs and phono stages who want the quietest possible line stage
• Installations requiring multiple 12V trigger outputs, RS-232, and IR control
• Those who value balanced XLR connectivity with remote polarity switching

Technical Specifications