Switch from Parasound JC-1 to Bel Canto Ref 1000?

I would recommend trying the Bel Canto's in your system not only because this is the only true way to decide which set of monos works best in your application but also because you would gain some genuine insight into how amplifiers of similar specifications but radically different design principals differ in sound. There is so much (probably ill informed) debate over the merits of Class D amps versus traditional Class A or A/B designs. I think a lot of folks would agree that the new series Bel Canto amps represent the best of what Class D has to offer and the JC-1's have long been considered some of the best Class A-A/B designs out there. What a great opportunity to find out for yourself what others mostly speculate about. I would say, however, that any decision you make to replace your JC-1's with the Bel Cantos should wait until you have settled on a pair of speakers. Why replace one set of monos with another when a speaker change may render your decision irrelevant?

Dodgealum brings up an excellent point.

If a speaker change is immenient, than upgrading your amplifiers now might be a mistake. (In fact, it lmost certainly would be.) Speakers, IMHO, have a bigger impact on the sonics of your system, than any other component. I think you should delay buying new amplifiers, until you have selected your new speakers, and then, and only then, start auditioning new amplifiers. It is really best to match your amplifiers to your speakers, so as to give your speakers the very best chance of sounding their best in your system.

My two cents worth.
Good Luck in your search!

PS If you are happy with the sonics of your Parasound JC-1s, (and they are excellent amps), perhaps it makes more sense to invest in a good room air conditioner? I have a similar situation with my Lamm M2.1s, and just like with my guns, you can only have them when you pry them from my cold, dead hands! ;-)
(Well, unless you're offering to let me trade up to the Lamm M2.2s! That's a another story all together!)

I agree..Speakers first/then the amps to compliment them.If your thinking of changing speakers do that first.If you choose the C4s( which I currently have) I would strongly suggest Pass labs X.5 series.I would also cross off the studio 2 on that short list..Let us know what happens,good luck and enjoy the journey

Seems to me that Ryan's immediate concern may be the amount of heat generated by the Parasound amp during summertime, rather than the sonic return on the investment of upgrading amp vs upgrading speakers. Hence his specific question about the Bel Canto class D monoblock amps.

Until Spring of 2008 I used to run high bias class A/B Rowland 7M monoblock amps. Living in Austin (TX) in a house whose energy efficiency is somewhat in between an afterthought and a pure figment of my home builder's feverish imagination, I could never listen to music between the beginning of May and the end of September as my listening loft turned into a regular sauna.

Since then I have replaced the 7M with class D amplification. I find my class D amps, including the BCs, as musically satisfying as my former 7Ms. . . and as class D amps run essentially almost cool to the touch, I can leave the system running and making music 24/7 even in the middle of Summer. . . The listening room remains (almost) livable even when outside temps surpass the 100F mark. . . . to tell the truth, the 'almost' clause is invariant as to my stereo being on or off. . . my roof insulationcirculation is that poor.

BTW, if your current or future speakers can handle a little less power than the Ref 1000 Mk.2s, you may also have a look at the Ref 500. I have heard unconfirmed reports that they may sound even sweeter than their bigger brothers.

I have the bel canto ref 1000 mkii driving a pair of dynaudio audience 82 and it is wonderful. I live in DFW and replaced my class ab amp with these. Driven at full throttle they truly run cool and offer incredible control. I urge you to try these. So many upsides it's hard to see why anyone disses this technology. This is the future especially when you get a Texas sized electric bill in the summer!!!