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Preamp Recommendations For the Parasound JC 5 Amp

I’m looking to get a high-end solid state preamp that’s on the sonic level as the Pass Labs XP-22 Preamp and X250.8. I’m looking for large soundstage, air, 3-D holographic sound, and detail without sounding analytical.

I feel more sure of the Parasound JC 5 Amp. I’m looking for preamp suggestions, and not sure if the JC 2 BP is the best option for the money.

I do have a Don Sachs DS 2 6SN7-based tube preamp that I can also mate with it. I’d like switching between solid state and tube preamps.

QUESTIONS:

1. How is the Parasound JC 2 BP and JC combination?

2. Does the JC 2 BP have to be turned up high to get decent volume?

3. Does a tube preamp mate well with a JC 5 Amp?

 

I previously purchased a Pass Labs XP-22 and X250.8. Sonically, it was exactly what I was looking for - refined, detailed, airy, holographic. But the XP-22 had to be turned up 75% to 2 o’clock (75%) position for decent volume levels. Also the XLR connections on the X250.8 wobbled - salesperson said that’s normal. That didn’t inspire confidence, so I returned everything at a $700 loss…. Hopefully, the next solid state purchase will be more pleasant.

Thanks

88man
johnah5
235 posts
 

I have an SPL Director which has a DAC in it. The model without the DAC is called Elector.  They sound really good on my SS amp. Here is the review Teajay did on it.

http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/sound-performance-lab-spl-elector-preamp--performer-s800-amplifier-and--m1000-monos-by-terry-london

orpheus
11 posts
 

I used a JC-2 preamp for about 2 years and found it to be quiet and transparent sounding.  This unit is a good value, especially on the used market.  (The BP version is the same, other than adding HT bypass.)  In my system, the downside of the JC-2 was its high output level.  Even with the gain controls turned all the way down, I couldn’t turn the volume over 10 o’clock without my system playing too loud for my taste.  Also, I found it difficult to set the volume where I wanted with the remote, as the changes from the remote were too coarse.  The best match I had with the JC-2 was with Parasound’s A21 amp and the input level controls turned down.  This allowed me to use more range on the JC-2 volume control.  I don’t think you’ll find the output level of a JC-2BP to be too low.

jeffseight's avatar
jeffseight
574 posts
 

Why not ask John Curl?

88man OP
28 posts
 

Audiotroy, Yogiboy, jdub39, jc4659, russ69, jonah5, and orpheus - many thanks for the great input!

I’ll try my Don Sachs tube preamp first. I’m going to look into the Coda .7, Musical Fidelity Ms8, SPL Elector, and JC-2. I had not considered many of these before.

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,658 posts
 

@88man

Before you decide on a new preamp make sure it has higher gain than the Pass or you will have the same problem that you are having now. The input sensitivity of the Parasound is a low 1 volt . That is the reason why you need the volume control on the higher end of the dial !

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