Parasound Halo JC 3 Jr MM/MC Phono Preamplifier, John Curl, Balanced XLR

The Parasound Halo JC 3 Jr is a compact MM and MC phono preamplifier designed by John Curl with circuit board layout by Carl Thompson. It delivers the core performance of the JC 3+ in a slim 1U chassis, with selectable gain at 40, 50, or 60dB (unbalanced), variable MC loading from 50 to 550 ohms, and both balanced XLR and RCA outputs.

RIAA correction is accurate to within 0.2dB, and the signal path uses exclusively Vishay-Dale resistors. At the 60dB gain setting, signal-to-noise ratio reaches above 94dB A-weighted, making the JC 3 Jr one of the quietest phono stages available at its price. An aluminium shield separates the power supply and audio circuits, and the shielded toroidal transformer uses high-speed soft-recovery rectifiers. ProHiFi is an authorised Parasound dealer in India.

A mono switch improves the sound of mono and older LPs. The three-way gain selector (40/50/60dB) provides flexibility for a wide range of MM, MI, and MC cartridge output levels without needing to open the chassis or change jumpers. Balanced XLR outputs add 6dB, giving 46, 56, or 66dB balanced gain options.

Positive Feedback called it the best solid-state phono stage under $2,000 they had ever heard. SoundStage! Hi-Fi described it as the quietest phono stage that had passed through their system regardless of price. The Absolute Sound listed it as an Editors' Choice in their under-$2,000 phonostage category, praising its wide soundstage and noiseless, black-velvet backgrounds.

Key Features

• MM and MC phono preamplifier by John Curl
• Selectable gain: 40/50/60dB unbalanced; 46/56/66dB balanced
• Variable MC loading: 50 to 550 ohms; MM fixed at 47k ohms
• RIAA accuracy within plus or minus 0.2dB
• SNR up to 94dB A-weighted (60dB gain setting)
• Balanced XLR (Neutrik) and RCA (Vampire gold) outputs
• Vishay-Dale resistors in audio path; shielded toroid transformer
• Mono switch for mono and older LP playback
• 12V trigger auto turn-on; 115/230V selectable
• Compact 1U chassis: 437 x 375 x 64mm; 5.9kg; Black
• TAS Editors' Choice (Phonostages under $2,000)

Warranty:

3-year manufacturer's warranty

Why Consider the Parasound Halo JC 3 Jr

The JC 3 Jr is the right choice for vinyl listeners who want John Curl's phono circuit design with variable MC loading and balanced outputs at a more accessible price than the JC 3+. The three-way gain selector provides an unusually wide range of cartridge compatibility from a single unit, and the signal-to-noise performance at the 60dB setting is exceptional for a phono stage at this level. SoundStage! and Positive Feedback both independently concluded that the JC 3 Jr outperformed every competitor they had heard under $2,000. The slim 1U chassis fits into tight rack spaces, and the 115/230V selectable power supply works on Indian mains without a transformer.

Ideal for

• Vinyl listeners wanting John Curl phono performance at a mid-range price
• MC cartridge owners needing variable loading from 50 to 550 ohms
• Systems requiring balanced XLR phono output
• Those with multiple cartridges of varying output needing selectable 40/50/60dB gain
• Mono LP collectors benefiting from the dedicated mono switch
• Tight rack spaces where a 1U chassis height is essential

Technical Specifications