3k Phono preamp upgrade options (JC3+, XP-17, etc)

An engaging and informative discussion... I had a JC3+ for some time, and purchased it new. I sold it because I felt like it had too much self generated noise too. It definitely wasn't as dead quiet as the reviews in the audio mags led me to believe. I've had others, tube and SS, and am saving for the newish Accuphase stand alone unit, the C-47. But for a place-holder, I bought a little ifi Zen Phono. With a balanced IC and upgraded power supply, its amazingly quiet and awesome. It's paired with a Hana Umami Red, and the sound is intoxicating. I find it inexcusable that any multi-thousand dollar phono-stage should inject any of its own sound into the music.

To supplement @oranfoster, while the JC3+ For MC carts boasts a supposed >87db SNR, it’s unweighted SNR is 67db, which is louder in some frequencies than the record groove noise itself. 

+1 @oranfoster my findings as well.

Dear @lewm : " his work or products that use his name to make it seem he designed them these days are not necessa rily wonderful or in the same high level. "

Well I don’t know which facts you have that can confirm your statement because any audio item that comes with " JC designed " was in true designed by him at JC designer levels he has ( " wonderful  " ! ! ? ? ). The design it’s a truly good one.

Differences in overall quality levels were made by the manufacturer parts/boards/execution quality of the JC design but these is different from what you stated. The JC design is " wonderful ".

Take a look, his Levinson ML-2 amplifier monobloks is now not only a legend but even today is a true " amplifier bible " for an amplifier SS design and I know because I own a pair of 20.6 that came from " there "/ML-2 topology and I can tell you that these monobloks are second to NONE.

https://richardquickdesign.com/

http://www.marklev.com/p/preamplifiers.html

http://www.soundscapeav.com/parasound/johncurl.html

Remember the Bluetorch ( or something like that, I can’t remember the correct name. ) phono stage that he designed along other 3 gentlemans,.JC was in charge for the electronics design? and the whole electronics line ( preamp, amplifiers, equalizer ) side by side with Colangelo ( very expensive units ) ? and where is the place of his famous phono stage Vendetta.

For me he is the best audio electronics/devices freelance advisor/consultant for any audio manufacturer. Several manufacturers that you not even imagine were taken " advise /wok " from him.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

@riskymilk 

Regarding differences between Pass XP17, PS Audio Steller, and Parasound JC3+, they are closer than different.

The Steller is dead quiet, more than the JC3+, a little more resolution than the JC3+, but maybe not quite as dynamic. Both have great mid-range.

The XP17 is all of the above, quiet (equal but not more so than the Steller), great resolution and dynamic while very musical.

   -GAR