I started with the A23+ then I purchased the A21+ and was disappointed in the lack of improvement verses the increase in cost so I sprung for the JC5 and have never looked back. I have used it with a pair of SVS Ultra towers, KEF ls50 meta’s and a pair of ELAC reference dbr62’s and have love the amp.
Driving a pair of Infinity Kappa, which are a bit demanding to run, with a Parasound HCA-1000 and this beautiful Amp really made them come alive! John Curl is a genius amp designer!
I own an A21+ and love it! I use it to drive my L/R towers in my 5.1 setup, pre is done by my Yamaha Aventage AVR which also drive the other surround channels. So, audiophile 2.0 music listening + great imaging during 5.1 movie play, win win.
@@revelationsoundstudio 100% correct I have the MC152 I do not have a desire or a need to ever replace it. I pair it with a Macintosh C2700 tubePreamp I am in audio heaven
18 years or so years of Parasound power amp ownership.. This has included Halo A21, A51 and now JC5.. The JC5 has been with me for about 3 1/2 years and still continues to astound me each day... Solidly designed by John Curl (a living legend) Well built dependable unit, Parasounds best Stereo power amp yet.. So much in reserve, control, extension, dynamics, hard hitting when needed yet detailed and refined... I have mine paired with Audiovector R3 Arreté.
One more thought to add, after using my other Parasound amps (per my prior comment), I'm pretty sure I'd consider a JC5 as an end game model for me for my living room 2.2 setup on the mains, especially after I upgrade those speakers to the Focal 1000 in-walls too. Either the JC5 is it, or I will still cross shop something really different like a PrimaLuna Evo 400. Not sure about monoblocks when these two-channel options are so good.
Nice. I really like my Parasound. I run an A31 and dual A52+. Build quality is so good. Pure class A operation for some watts is great. The loop output is for using the amp to biamp a speaker off a single input I believe.
The loop outs can also be used for connecting to stereo subs.. Handy if the subs don't have high level inputs(coming from the binding posts) or if there are no dedicated sub outs on the pre amp.
I'm over here with admittedly more money than knowledge/brains so any input might help me. I currently run twin Parasound A21s with a P5 preamp. They run two pair of mail-order Onix Rocket RS850 "signature editions". They got good reviews back in the day as good value for the money. I believe the owner was jailed for drug bust to raise money--a Delorean kind of thing. I also have two SVS SB 16-Ultra subwoofers. This all together sounds great to my otherwise uninitiated ears, but time for an upgrade. I run each set of speakers in stereo with one amp each. My first impulse is to upgrade the amps to the last amps I'll ever need/buy--the JC5s. Might as well grab the P6 preamp. Figure the subs are good to go. Maybe the speakers--but I'd say either the maps--or the speakers first. Am I wasting power and money by running the two stereo setups in tandem? Would one JC 5 powering both pairs of speakers provide better use of power/money? Not against grabbing two JC5s if that is the best big bang--likely my last amps. I want it to be able to shake walls but run background volumes as well. Any advice especially on running nine or two JC5s is appreciated. Thanks.
Parasound makes heirloom amplifiers. After buying them you don't have anything but the amps to leave to your children 😭🤣😅. Would love to hear them some day.
@@chebrubin i have a Monolith 11x. Sounds fantastic but doesn't have the same sexy look of Parasound and other more expensive brands. You pay for that McIntosh brand
When I gave my Bryston 14BSST to my son cause I moved, I replaced it with a JC5. Both are equally as powerful, the parasound has a more musical tone to it. I considered spending more by going to a mono block, but I said come on, what more does one need?
if is too much of something /in this case bass and midrange/ its easy too cut down /equalize/ its worst if something is not enough or completely not there.. end of the day its personal preference about bass level in general - great amp
Thanks for this video. How does the sound of this Parasound JC5 amplifier compare to a modern day McIntosh power amp? I appreciate whatever info you can provide me.
I have a Parasound A52+. Would adding the JC5 to power the front right and left while using the A52+ to power the center and surrounds make the front sound stage sound weird with the two different amps? I have RF-7s ii and RC-64 ii for the center channel.
what if you use only one channel of a stereo amplifier and another channel from another stereo amp of the same brand, why that also be consider a mono and why they improve the sound quality? just a sudden wild thought
Not mono, because internally the amp wouldn't be bridging the two channels into one (mono) output channel. You could run a pair this way, but it would be like buying the V8 engine and only firing 4 of the cylinders. Or in Parasound, more like a V12 😊 Amps that truly support bridged operation have additional components to combine the LR output and send all of that power to a single pair of speakers outputs. In your scenario, it is true that each channel (amp in this case) would dedicate it's power supply to your one channel, but technically you'd only be using the full output stage of a single channel and not getting the combined benefits (power)...
The increased bass, more of the midrange is most likely due to Parasound is 11-12watts class “A” before switching to class “AB”….. I did notice the specs state it’s dual mono amps.. great video! Can you offer an option on Parasound vs. McIntosh?
Depends on what you’re driving. If you have a really challenging speaker, yes worthwhile. If you tend to listen within the added class-A power envelope, you will hear some difference also. I have used my JC5 to drive Sopra N2’s and now Focal Scala Evo’s. Previously, I had the HCA-2200 mk 2 and later a the A21 (non plus). JC5 was an upgrade from both. However I have never listened to the 21+… it hadn’t been released when I bought my JC5. It’s also worth mentioning that the input stage advantage of the JC5 vs lower models is a cumulative benefit with the upstream gear. If you have a preamp like the P6, you might be better off putting the budget into a better preamp or perhaps even your speakers.
@@ChrisMag100 thanks! I’m looking for a set of new speakers for $10K. I like a smooth sounding top and fast bass…what would be your advice? I prefer floor standing speakers 🔊
@@Novilicious I have a pair of Tekton Moabs and I love them. I'm going to be doing high end crossovers soon and also keeping my eye out for a set of Townshend Podiums. This will land the full kit around $10k. You can now order Moabs with an "ultimate crossover upgrade" already installed for an extra $2k. (I'm spending about $2200 on the new crossovers after the fact.)
@@Toni-pt6md I haven't heard the L890, but on Studio 580's and my friends collectively own multiple copies of all the Studio 5 series. Those are all absolutely fantastic for the money and offer a really surprising amount of head room with electronics way it if their price range. One friend is driving 590s with Schiit Tyrs, for example. The Moabs are on another level all together. They are huge, high sensitivity speakers. They produce more detail, better imaging, bigger dynamics and a vast sound stage. In the last year since the post you are responding to, I have also done my crossovers and bought the Townshend Podiums. Both made a very noticeable improvement. I have also tried a bunch of different electronics and settled on JC5 and JC2 with an Audio-gd R7-HE DAC. All used. I am VERY happy with my system and consider it to be end game for the foreseeable future.
Not correct. Standby is 1w. Standby is engaged by a 12v trigger from a preamp like the JC2 or P6. Idle is 225w due to the class A bias. Technically, someone who understands the circuit could reduce the class A bias by adjusting the trims on the board but I wouldn’t recommend it for the average user. You could also increase the class A bias but you would run into heat-sinking issues if you leave it on 24/7 or have inadequate ventilation/room cooling.
The Class A bias (and resultant consumption) was an intentional design choice, not a limitation or oversight. You need to understand the sonic benefits of Class A bias and it's impact on distortion to understand why this is desirable, despite the lack of efficiency. Yes, you're burning 200w (at least) regardless of volume, but when you buy a V12 powered supercar you don't say "how come I don't get 50mpg AND get acceleration and top speed"
@@erics.4113 Can't technology today sense if music is playing? If there is no music for 15 minutes make it automatically go into standby. Then if music is sensed, go into play/idle. If that is not possible, just be aware it uses 200 watts when idling with no music, and weigh that into your purchase decision. If you buy it, don't forget to turn it off when your done listening. I am switching to class D to avoid this issue. Imagine if a car used a gallon of gas every 5 minutes, regardless of if it was idling at a red light, or cruising at 90 mph. Thankfully cars do not behave like this amp.
@@BB-Rareburto it does! The Parasound goes into a very eco-friendly standby if it doesn't sense signal after about 10minutes or so. That standby is minimal, a watt or two, and only runs a circuit that "looks for" signal, then "fires up the engine" to turn on. It's at that point, that a function of Class A design, means that it's running at a steady output, regardless of how many of those watts you're actually pushing to your speakers. In this case, 15watts of Class A bias, but you need 200w of consumption to get it because of inefficiency of Class A. Again, this isn't for green party or economics. It's ALL ABOUT sound quality. Class A is very low distortion and has signature characteristics you can't easily match with high efficiency Class D designs, although that topology is where advancements are being made and innovation is occurring. Class A, AB, etc are older but established solid state designs and the laws of physics determine much of their efficiency. When a component gets warm, that's your unused electricity being converted to heat. Again, it's a luxury pursuit, not an economical one. It's like telling the guy to ditch his V12 Lamborghini and all the thrills that engine brings, for an electric car. Sure, you can get performance from both, and one is maybe (morally) a more sustainable and eco-friendly design, but the other is a big freaking V12 that brings it's own thrills beyond just speed and performance. Sound quality 😜
I started with the A23+ then I purchased the A21+ and was disappointed in the lack of improvement verses the increase in cost so I sprung for the JC5 and have never looked back. I have used it with a pair of SVS Ultra towers, KEF ls50 meta’s and a pair of ELAC reference dbr62’s and have love the amp.
They're awesome amps no doubt.
Hey Shane I love your channel and content. Thanks for all you do for the community.
Driving a pair of Infinity Kappa, which are a bit demanding to run, with a Parasound HCA-1000 and this beautiful Amp really made them come alive!
John Curl is a genius amp designer!
I own an A21+ and love it! I use it to drive my L/R towers in my 5.1 setup, pre is done by my Yamaha Aventage AVR which also drive the other surround channels. So, audiophile 2.0 music listening + great imaging during 5.1 movie play, win win.
Love my JC5. Thanks for the review! Best non mono block sound for $6k.
This amp and the Macintosh MC152 are the best in this price range.
@@revelationsoundstudio 100% correct I have the MC152 I do not have a desire or a need to ever replace it. I pair it with a Macintosh C2700 tubePreamp I am in audio heaven
Love Parasound! Thanks for the video
18 years or so years of Parasound power amp ownership..
This has included Halo A21, A51 and now JC5..
The JC5 has been with me for about 3 1/2 years and still continues to astound me each day...
Solidly designed by John Curl (a living legend)
Well built dependable unit, Parasounds best Stereo power amp yet.. So much in reserve, control, extension, dynamics, hard hitting when needed yet detailed and refined...
I have mine paired with Audiovector R3 Arreté.
Totally agree have mine for just 6 months. "So much in reserve, control, extension, dynamics, hard hitting when needed yet detailed and refined..."
Hi, Is big difference from A21 to JC5 ?
Did you like the sound of the JC5 or Rotel Michi S5 better?
One more thought to add, after using my other Parasound amps (per my prior comment), I'm pretty sure I'd consider a JC5 as an end game model for me for my living room 2.2 setup on the mains, especially after I upgrade those speakers to the Focal 1000 in-walls too. Either the JC5 is it, or I will still cross shop something really different like a PrimaLuna Evo 400. Not sure about monoblocks when these two-channel options are so good.
Waiting for the McIntosh vs Trinnov Amp video
Nice. I really like my Parasound. I run an A31 and dual A52+. Build quality is so good. Pure class A operation for some watts is great.
The loop output is for using the amp to biamp a speaker off a single input I believe.
The loop outs can also be used for connecting to stereo subs..
Handy if the subs don't have high level inputs(coming from the binding posts) or if there are no dedicated sub outs on the pre amp.
I've got a pair of JC1+ on LCR Tekton Moabs(center on another amp). I've been very impressed so far.
Love my Parasound, Love the bunch and clear vocals.
The courier service that deliver your goodies sure get a good workout they don’t need to go to the gim
Nice job guys! Solid review!
I have à Old parasound hca-1000a and i love it 🥰
I'm over here with admittedly more money than knowledge/brains so any input might help me. I currently run twin Parasound A21s with a P5 preamp. They run two pair of mail-order Onix Rocket RS850 "signature editions". They got good reviews back in the day as good value for the money. I believe the owner was jailed for drug bust to raise money--a Delorean kind of thing. I also have two SVS SB 16-Ultra subwoofers. This all together sounds great to my otherwise uninitiated ears, but time for an upgrade. I run each set of speakers in stereo with one amp each. My first impulse is to upgrade the amps to the last amps I'll ever need/buy--the JC5s. Might as well grab the P6 preamp. Figure the subs are good to go. Maybe the speakers--but I'd say either the maps--or the speakers first. Am I wasting power and money by running the two stereo setups in tandem? Would one JC 5 powering both pairs of speakers provide better use of power/money? Not against grabbing two JC5s if that is the best big bang--likely my last amps. I want it to be able to shake walls but run background volumes as well. Any advice especially on running nine or two JC5s is appreciated. Thanks.
THE JC5 is another level compared to The A31 and A51. Night and day.
Curious I have the JC5 but no reference point. Would you say its more refined lower noise floor better dynamics than the A21,31,51?
Dude I'm at 7700 for the Arendal speakers..now you coming with this...😃😃😃 Thanks to you
🍻
Parasound makes heirloom amplifiers. After buying them you don't have anything but the amps to leave to your children 😭🤣😅. Would love to hear them some day.
@@keepingupwiththejones2933 why not monoprice / ATI amps?
@@chebrubin i have a Monolith 11x. Sounds fantastic but doesn't have the same sexy look of Parasound and other more expensive brands. You pay for that McIntosh brand
When I gave my Bryston 14BSST to my son cause I moved, I replaced it with a JC5. Both are equally as powerful, the parasound has a more musical tone to it. I considered spending more by going to a mono block, but I said come on, what more does one need?
if is too much of something /in this case bass and midrange/ its easy too cut down /equalize/ its worst if something is not enough or completely not there.. end of the day its personal preference about bass level in general - great amp
An equalizer or tone control may add nasties, so myself, I will live with a little less highs.
Thanks for this video.
How does the sound of this Parasound JC5 amplifier compare to a modern day McIntosh power amp?
I appreciate whatever info you can provide me.
I have a Parasound A52+. Would adding the JC5 to power the front right and left while using the A52+ to power the center and surrounds make the front sound stage sound weird with the two different amps? I have RF-7s ii and RC-64 ii for the center channel.
That would work fine.
what if you use only one channel of a stereo amplifier and another channel from another stereo amp of the same brand, why that also be consider a mono and why they improve the sound quality? just a sudden wild thought
Not mono, because internally the amp wouldn't be bridging the two channels into one (mono) output channel. You could run a pair this way, but it would be like buying the V8 engine and only firing 4 of the cylinders. Or in Parasound, more like a V12 😊
Amps that truly support bridged operation have additional components to combine the LR output and send all of that power to a single pair of speakers outputs. In your scenario, it is true that each channel (amp in this case) would dedicate it's power supply to your one channel, but technically you'd only be using the full output stage of a single channel and not getting the combined benefits (power)...
The “sweet” I can hear the B&W sibilants now lol
@sparechange I'll be around more in march, you can borrow the jc1+ to do the comparison if you like.
I've got a pair coming in.
@@therealshanelee sweeeet! Looking forward to seeing that review! I've got tornados on them into a Niagara 5000
Hello, which endpoint will be better Parasound or Benchmark. Regards
The increased bass, more of the midrange is most likely due to Parasound is 11-12watts class “A” before switching to class “AB”….. I did notice the specs state it’s dual mono amps..
great video!
Can you offer an option on Parasound vs. McIntosh?
I haven't had a two channel Mac in here to make a call on that one.
Would love to see a comparison with the JC-5 and a Bryston 4B cubed
Did you consider the Michi X-5?
I have an a21+ and a31. How much of an improvement is this JC5? Why is it 2x the price? Is it 2x as good?
Depends on what you’re driving. If you have a really challenging speaker, yes worthwhile. If you tend to listen within the added class-A power envelope, you will hear some difference also.
I have used my JC5 to drive Sopra N2’s and now Focal Scala Evo’s. Previously, I had the HCA-2200 mk 2 and later a the A21 (non plus). JC5 was an upgrade from both. However I have never listened to the 21+… it hadn’t been released when I bought my JC5.
It’s also worth mentioning that the input stage advantage of the JC5 vs lower models is a cumulative benefit with the upstream gear. If you have a preamp like the P6, you might be better off putting the budget into a better preamp or perhaps even your speakers.
@@ChrisMag100 thanks! I’m looking for a set of new speakers for $10K. I like a smooth sounding top and fast bass…what would be your advice? I prefer floor standing speakers 🔊
@@Novilicious I have a pair of Tekton Moabs and I love them. I'm going to be doing high end crossovers soon and also keeping my eye out for a set of Townshend Podiums. This will land the full kit around $10k. You can now order Moabs with an "ultimate crossover upgrade" already installed for an extra $2k. (I'm spending about $2200 on the new crossovers after the fact.)
@@zackw4941 Are this speakers equal in performance as the JBL L890 Floorstand ?
@@Toni-pt6md I haven't heard the L890, but on Studio 580's and my friends collectively own multiple copies of all the Studio 5 series. Those are all absolutely fantastic for the money and offer a really surprising amount of head room with electronics way it if their price range. One friend is driving 590s with Schiit Tyrs, for example.
The Moabs are on another level all together. They are huge, high sensitivity speakers. They produce more detail, better imaging, bigger dynamics and a vast sound stage. In the last year since the post you are responding to, I have also done my crossovers and bought the Townshend Podiums. Both made a very noticeable improvement. I have also tried a bunch of different electronics and settled on JC5 and JC2 with an Audio-gd R7-HE DAC. All used. I am VERY happy with my system and consider it to be end game for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, supply chain is unable to deliver Parasound gear
I’m stopping at Xpa emotive. Yall will have me going broke with this gear. I bought all kinds of speakers for rooms I don’t use lol
Would love to start seeing (hearing) reviews with copyright free music. Nice review though.
When will someone review the ATI Amps?
Whenever they decide to send out review units.
The standby energy consumption is 200 watts. They really should do better design in that regard.
Not correct. Standby is 1w. Standby is engaged by a 12v trigger from a preamp like the JC2 or P6.
Idle is 225w due to the class A bias. Technically, someone who understands the circuit could reduce the class A bias by adjusting the trims on the board but I wouldn’t recommend it for the average user.
You could also increase the class A bias but you would run into heat-sinking issues if you leave it on 24/7 or have inadequate ventilation/room cooling.
The Class A bias (and resultant consumption) was an intentional design choice, not a limitation or oversight. You need to understand the sonic benefits of Class A bias and it's impact on distortion to understand why this is desirable, despite the lack of efficiency. Yes, you're burning 200w (at least) regardless of volume, but when you buy a V12 powered supercar you don't say "how come I don't get 50mpg AND get acceleration and top speed"
@@erics.4113 Can't technology today sense if music is playing? If there is no music for 15 minutes make it automatically go into standby. Then if music is sensed, go into play/idle.
If that is not possible, just be aware it uses 200 watts when idling with no music, and weigh that into your purchase decision. If you buy it, don't forget to turn it off when your done listening. I am switching to class D to avoid this issue.
Imagine if a car used a gallon of gas every 5 minutes, regardless of if it was idling at a red light, or cruising at 90 mph. Thankfully cars do not behave like this amp.
@@BB-Rareburto it does! The Parasound goes into a very eco-friendly standby if it doesn't sense signal after about 10minutes or so. That standby is minimal, a watt or two, and only runs a circuit that "looks for" signal, then "fires up the engine" to turn on. It's at that point, that a function of Class A design, means that it's running at a steady output, regardless of how many of those watts you're actually pushing to your speakers. In this case, 15watts of Class A bias, but you need 200w of consumption to get it because of inefficiency of Class A. Again, this isn't for green party or economics. It's ALL ABOUT sound quality. Class A is very low distortion and has signature characteristics you can't easily match with high efficiency Class D designs, although that topology is where advancements are being made and innovation is occurring. Class A, AB, etc are older but established solid state designs and the laws of physics determine much of their efficiency. When a component gets warm, that's your unused electricity being converted to heat. Again, it's a luxury pursuit, not an economical one. It's like telling the guy to ditch his V12 Lamborghini and all the thrills that engine brings, for an electric car. Sure, you can get performance from both, and one is maybe (morally) a more sustainable and eco-friendly design, but the other is a big freaking V12 that brings it's own thrills beyond just speed and performance. Sound quality 😜
Jc5,Klipsch rf-7 3, Klipsch rc 64-3, Klipsch rp-600 best sounding system you won't stop dancing
This is not a review. It is pure selling