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JC3+ Anyone?

Hey Folks,

Despite my current economic situation, I am seriouly considering replacing my GCPH with a JC3+. I am have a few intermittent issues that may be the GCPH. I have a DV P-75 mkII in the system for testing. And it is as I remember, somewhat lightweight but pretty good. Not nearly as refined as the GCPH and a weak bottom end. Does seem to have more large scale dynamics than the GCPH.

So back to the JC3+, anybody try one or have one? Fremer liked it but his taste leans more to detail than mine. I like detail but my idea of detail is hearing the leading edge as well as the body of the note/instrument.

I would be using a Kleos with the JC3+ and the JC3+ would be going via Cardas Nuetral XLR to a Classe CDP-500.

Hope y'all well and good,
Robert A. Ober
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lancelock
1,093 posts
 
I have the JC3+ with a Technics SL1200GAE and ART 9 cart. There is plenty of adjustability for your MC cart. I does a great job in my system. I'm quite happy.
tgterm
9 posts
 
Thanks.  If you don't mind me asking, what other stages had you been using prior to the JC3+?  
lancelock
1,093 posts
 
@tgterm , before the JC3+ I had the phono section of an Audible Illusions Modulus preamp. Also a fine John Curl designed phono stage but attached to the Modulus. It was so good that I searched out another John Curl design.
linnlingo
173 posts
 
Excellent phono. Try and get a home demo it works very well w/a Dynavector 20XL2.

jbny
38 posts
 
I got a chance to have JC3+ for a week to test in home. It was being actively used by my dealer for well over 6 months so it was ready to go when I got it.

I used it with a ART9 cart so that is .5mV the same as your Lyra. 

Sounds on the JC3+ are very good. Tonally it sounded correct with very good high extension, Bass was good, with forceful impact when needed. Mids were detailed, which tends to leads to slightly more prominent vocals but it never sounds too much. Overall it was an excellent premap, really if you are looking at a Preamp under $3K It's about as good as you are going to get, it sounds great,. It has lots of options, variable loading, 12v trigger, inverted polarity on the AC input, defeatable front panel illumination, balanced and unbalanced outputs.

It does have some high gain though, I think some of the good dynamics it is able to get has to do with the high gain that the preamp delivers. Although I never had it overload anything, my system definitely played loader with the JC3+ in it than with some other premaps I have had. 

If you can demo it, I would. Even if you have to buy it outright, as long as you can return it think you will probably end up keeping it. It is really an excellent premap for the price.

HTH
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