Transparent-to-the-Source Sound, Reference-Level Control and Flexibility: Designed by John Curl, Parasound JC 2 BP Linestage Preamplifier Features Home-Theater Bypass

Designed by audio wizard John Curl, the Parasound JC 2 BP does everything you would expect a flagship high-end linestage preamplifier to do – and then some. And it does so with majestic results. Complete with home-theater bypass for both unbalanced and balanced inputs/outputs (just press a button on the remote and the signals from your pre/pro or receiver pass through, unaffected), and direct DC servo-coupled with no capacitors in the signal path, it seamlessly blends into any surround system while offering a full suite of connectivity, remarkable fidelity, and modern versatility. As for quiet? You won't ever notice JC 2 BP is operating. But you'll definitely experience inviting degrees of air, texture, dynamics, and resolution from favorite recordings and new discoveries.

Inside, complementary hand-matched FETs accompany aluminum-shielded power supplies and control circuitry. A large R-core power transformer and inductor, dual-mono left- and right-channel circuit boards, separate output jacks for simultaneous norma and non-inverting polarity, Canare internal wiring, and hyper-fast set recovery rectifiers further emphasize how serious JC 2 BP takes sound. As does the independent power supply for the controller, relay coils, triggers, and LEDs. As you may have already guessed, JC 2 BP strives to defeat noise, distortion, an crosstalk at every turn.

The 24-pound unit also aims to give you immense control and a smorgasbord of options. Six pairs of Vampire 24k gold-plated RCA line-level inputs abet two pairs of balanced XLR inputs with Neutrik connectors that can be independently selected from line-level use for the left and right channels via their own gold-on-silver contact relays. JC 2 BP also provides four pairs of outputs with specialized functions: an XLR pair with polarity switched by remote; an RCA pair with polarity switched by remote; an RCA pair (inverted polarity only); and an RCA pair with normal polarity and fixed level for recorders.

And that's not all. A four-gang motor-driven analog master volume control, separate TKD analog gain controls for the left and right channels, discrete IR codes for the supplied full-function remote, and no fewer than four 12V trigger outputs for power-amplifier auto turn-on join a two-way RS232 port and loop out jacks located on the aluminum rear panel. If you want to mute JC 2 BP, you'll do so in style, given the function gets performed by independent left and right relays. Parasound's five-year manufacturer warranty and our 100% Music Direct Satisfaction Guarantee round out the lengthy advantages wrought by a preamplifier ready for the audio (and video) enthusiast.

"The JC 2 BP is that extreme rarity – a near-reference-quality product that many of us can afford. Neutral and natural, transparent-to-sources, quick and delicately detailed, here is one solid-state preamp that doesn't trade away key parts of the baby (air, bloom, color, three-dimensionality) for the bathwater of razor-cut imaging and iron-fisted control."
– The Absolute Sound, Editors' Choice Award

"Parasound and John Curl got it very right. And at a price that will be within the reach of real-world audiophiles."
– John Atkinson, Stereophile

"It's becoming increasingly obvious how few preamps succeed in passing a musical signal without imposing crippling constriction in the process – and those that can are invariably expensive. Well, you can add the JC2 to that (very short) list of the great and the good."
– Hi-Fi+

"The Parasound Halo JC 2 is a 'semi-mass-produced' preamp that has the sound of small-production-run 'boutique' gear."
– Positive Feedback