Parasound Halo JC 5 Stereo Power Amplifier, 400W, John Curl, Class A/AB

The Parasound Halo JC 5 is a stereo power amplifier designed by John Curl, delivering 400 watts per channel into 8 ohms with both channels driven, 600 watts into 4 ohms, and 1,200 watts bridged into mono. The first 12 watts per channel operate in pure Class A before transitioning to Class AB.

The JC 5 is built around dual-mono input stages running on plus/minus 110 volt DC rails, 24 beta-matched 15 ampere, 60 MHz bipolar output transistors, and a 1.7 kVA shielded toroidal transformer with independent windings for each channel. Filter capacitance totals 132,000 microfarads of Rubycon capacitors for the output stages and 8,880 microfarads of Nichicon Gold Tune capacitors for the input stages. ProHiFi is an authorised Parasound dealer in India.

Peak current capacity is 90 amps per channel and the amplifier remains stable into speaker impedance dips down to 1.5 ohms. The signal path is direct-coupled with no capacitors or inductors in the audio chain. JFET input stages feed MOSFET drivers and bipolar output transistors, a topology John Curl has refined across decades of amplifier design.

SoundStage! Hi-Fi called it a superb power amplifier by any measure. Hi-Fi News gave it their Outstanding Product award. Home Theater Review praised its stunning musicality and named it Best of 2018. Positive Feedback described it as an amplifier that gets out of the way and lets the music speak, noting its combination of power and finesse is extremely rare at the price.

Key Features

• 400W x 2 into 8 ohm; 600W x 2 into 4 ohm; both channels driven
• 1200W bridged mono into 8 ohm
• 12W per channel pure Class A; ultra-high bias Class A/AB
• Designed by John Curl; JFET input, MOSFET driver, bipolar output
• 90A peak current per channel; stable to 1.5 ohm impedance dips
• 24 beta-matched 15A/60MHz bipolar output transistors
• 1.7 kVA shielded toroid; 132,000 microfarad Rubycon filter capacitance
• Direct-coupled signal path; no capacitors or inductors in audio chain
• Balanced XLR (Neutrik) and RCA (Vampire gold) inputs with loop-out
• CHK Infinium custom 5-way speaker binding posts
• 12V trigger and audio-sensing auto turn-on
• 448 x 508 x 197mm; 33.1kg; Black or Silver
• Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product 2018; SoundStage! Reviewers' Choice 2019; HTR Best of 2018

Warranty:

3-year manufacturer's warranty

Why Consider the Parasound Halo JC 5

The JC 5 is the right choice for listeners who want the power and control of the JC 1+ monoblock architecture in a single stereo chassis. With 400 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 90 amps of peak current, and stability into 1.5 ohm loads, it drives virtually any loudspeaker with authority and composure. Bridged to mono at 1,200 watts, a pair of JC 5 amplifiers can serve as monoblocks for systems that grow over time. SoundStage!, Hi-Fi News, Home Theater Review, and Positive Feedback have all independently confirmed that it performs well above its price bracket. For an Indian audiophile who wants John Curl's circuit design and Parasound's build quality in a high-power stereo amplifier, the JC 5 delivers exceptional value alongside the JC 2 BP preamplifier or any quality line stage.

Ideal for

• High-performance two-channel systems needing 400W or more per channel
• Demanding speaker loads with impedance dips below 2 ohms
• Systems pairing with the Parasound JC 2 BP preamplifier
• Listeners wanting bridgeable mono capability for a future monoblock upgrade path
• Home cinema front channels needing reference-grade stereo amplification
• Those who value 12W pure Class A warmth at typical listening levels

Technical Specifications