Parasound JC5- Anyone own one?

pitdogg2

Running the Ayre on the SDA1a if not common could damage something when using a blade/Blade speaker if the cable is used. I'm reading it that way any how.

Blade/blade SDA's were known to at least make unbearable loud noise of the upper high pitched sounds on non common ground amps.

Vette C6.r

What specifically are the benefits of the "+" over the regular A21 ??

sgmsmg

Vette C6.r wrote: »

What specifically are the benefits of the "+" over the regular A21 ??

Not sure if this is what you were looking for but here is the marketing info:

Impressive Performance Upgrades
The performance upgrades are impressive, beginning with a big 25% to 30% increase in output power compared to the previous model. The A 21+ delivers 300 watts-per-channel at 8 ohms compared to 250 watts-per-channel for the A 21, 500 watts-per-channel compared to 400 watts-per-channel at 4 ohms, and a huge 1,000 watts in bridged mono mode compared to 750 watts with the A 21.

The performance of a power amplifier is highly dependent on the quality of its power supply, and Parasound went the extra mile with the A 21+, which boasts a 10% to 15% larger main power transformer compared to the previous model A 21. Transformer size has been increased from 1.2 to 1.3kVA, and the filter capacitance increases 20-30% from 88,000 uF for the A 21 to 108,000 uF for the new A 21+. You'll hear the advantages of these upgrades as the A21+ presents lower distortion at full power. In fact, signal-to-noise measurements have been upgraded from 115 db from the A 21's 112 dB. THD at full power is now a vanishingly low 0.1% compared to 0.2% for the A 21.

Other performance upgrades include tweaked input circuits for improved crosstalk specs (70 dB at 20 kHz compared to 63 dB) and upgraded internal gold on gold audio connections, resulting in a cleaner signal path that's also more reliable.

Rear Panel Layout and Features Upgrades
The rear panel of the A 21+ has been revised in terms of layout and new features. It boasts upgraded speaker terminals, using identical terminals to the JC 5 power amp, a new jack/terminal layout with more space and more clear text/labels, and a master "Vacation" AC switch. The 2.5mm trigger jacks of the A 21+ have been replaced with 3.5mm jacks, and the audio trigger circuit has been updated for better low signal reliability.

Revised Halo Front Panel Cosmetics
The Halo series has always been known for its elegant aesthetics, and the look is even better than before. New front panel cosmetics include slim metal end caps replacing wider plastic end caps, an added gold metallic accent stripe along the end cap, gold feet now on black units, and an engraved metal "Parasound" badge replacing the red "P."

Vette C6.r

Just about to post that I found that article.

Thanks for posting

Emlyn

I also got a JC5 a few weeks ago. Physically from the outside it looks pretty much like an A21 except for the weird binding posts and some cosmetic changes.

The JC5 has a very low noise floor, especially when paired with a Parasound JC2 preamp. It loses the high end grain the A21 has and controls speakers with much more authority. I recall hearing the term "iron grip" with this amp before, and that's true. I also remember the cliche that "I'm hearing sounds I never heard before." Strangely enough, that phenomenon is apparent with the JC5 to an extent. It's not so much that the sounds were not there in the music but the JC5 has a way of making them more apparent because there are no distracting grainy noises in the treble. The soundstage is also expanded because of the control the amp has. For the first time I am almost getting SDA like width from conventional speakers in my listening room. I would not call the JC5 a "warm" sounding amp, and it does not run physically hot either, but I would say it is neutral and truthful sounding. It did sound comparatively bright when I first got it, but that went away after a few hours. I can't think of any reason to go beyond this price point for an amp.

In comparison to the best amp I have, which is a Sonic Frontiers Power 2 tube amp, it's close in performance but has slightly better control over speakers and a lower noise floor. The JC5 is not "tube like" sounding though, so they are really different beasts.

I bought mine as B-stock and got a good deal. As usual, Parasound's factory refreshed products look brand new.

invalid

I can't think of any reason to go beyond this price point for an amp.



Until you do go beyond that price point.

gyosa

Actually, the later A21’s had the filter caps upgraded to 100,000 uF.

Bk

joecoulson

Congrats bro!
Maybe next move for me.
Later on though, thoroughly enjoying the A21+
It has responded very well to my sources, speakers and AQ wiring/power.