JC2BP Preamp
Nothing Between You and the Music
Drop the JC2BP into your chain and everything relaxes into focus. Voices feel present, transients snap without glare, and the background goes inky‑black so your sources breathe. If you already love your DAC, phono stage, or streamer, this is the control center that lets them shine—no digital extras, just pure analog grace.
Designed by John Curl, the JC2BP is a dual‑mono, all‑analog line stage built to disappear: direct DC servo‑coupled (no capacitors in the signal path) with hand‑matched complementary FETs, a premium four‑gang motor‑driven volume control plus TKD left/right trims, and both balanced XLR and RCA I/O (including an inverted RCA out). It adds a true Home Theater Bypass that locks out volume for seamless L/R integration with a surround processor, and it’s integration‑ready with 12V triggers, IR, and RS‑232.
Praised by reviewers
- “Then I began to appreciate how much it did right and how little it did wrong.” — Stereophile (John Atkinson).
- “Abilities to create a realistic soundstage and convey the recording space were unsurpassed, in my experience.” — SoundStage! Ultra.
- “Sound quality is superlative—refined, accurate, and capable of extraordinary resolution.” — Home Theater Review.
Awards & Recognition
- The Absolute Sound — Editors’ Choice (2015)
- Stereophile — Recommended Components (2018 Edition)
- SoundStage! Ultra — “Select Component” (2008)
Frequency Response
5 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
Distortion
THD: < 0.003% at 100 Hz
THD: < 0.005% at 20 kHz
IM: < 0.003%
S/N Ratio
> 116 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
> 104 dB, input shorted, unweighted
Crosstalk
> 100 dB at 10 kHz
> 90 dB at 20 kHz
Gain
14 dB, maximum
L, R Gain Control Range
- 10 dB
Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 30k ohms
Balanced: 30k ohms per leg
Output Impedance
Unbalanced: < 60 ohms
Balanced: < 60 ohms per leg
Input Sensitivity
200 mV for 1 V output
Total Gain: 14 dB
Maximum Output: 8 V
XLR Pin Identification
1 = Ground (Shield)
2 = Positive
3 = Negative (Return)
AC Power Requirement
110 - 120 V or 220-240 V, 50 - 60 Hzs
(Set AC Voltage switch on rear panel)
25 watt standby; 30 watts when turned on
Dimensions
Width: 17 1/4" (437 mm)
Depth: 16" (406 mm)
Height, with feet: 5 7/8" (150 mm)
Height, without feet: 5 1/4" (133 mm)
Weight
Net: 24 lbs. (11 kg)
Shipping: 36 lbs. (16.4 kg)
Rack Mount Accessory
HRA 3 (May be purchased separately)
- Home theater bypass enables seamless blending into a digital surround system
- Home theater bypass functions with both unbalanced & balanced inputs and outputs
- Home theater bypass function can be assigned to any input
- Bypass remains selected after unit has been turned off
- Improved remote control is included with the bypass assignment keys
- Specifications and sonic performance are 100% the same as the original JC 2
- 6 pairs unbalanced RCA line-level audio input jacks
- 2 input pairs can be switched to XLR balanced connectors
- Independent balanced/unbalanced select for the L & R channel
- Each channel's input is switched by its own gold-on-silver contact relay
- 4 output jack pairs with specialized functions:
- 1 Main output jack pair is balanced XLR, polarity is switched by remote
- 1 Main output jack pair is unbalanced RCA, polarity is switched by remote
- 1 output jack pair is unbalanced RCA, inverted polarity only
- 1 output pair is unbalanced RCA, normal polarity, fixed level for recorders
- Dual-mono left & right channel circuit boards minimize crosstalk
- Hand-matched complementary FETs
- Direct DC servo-coupled, no capacitors in the signal path
- Premium 4-gang motor-driven analog master volume control
- Separate TKD brand analog gain controls for L & R channel
- 3/8" thick aluminum shielding around audio boards
- Shielding prevents noise from power supplies & control circuits
- Separate output jacks for simultaneous normal & non-inverting polarity
- Aluminum chassis rear panel
- Remote control polarity switching uses gold-on-silver contact relays
- Vampire brand 24k gold-plated RCA jacks
- Neutrik brand premium XLR connectors
- Canare brand internal wiring
- High capacity R-core audio power transformer & inductor
- Hyper-fast soft recovery audio bridge rectifiers diodes
- Independent power supply for controller, relay coils, triggers, LEDs
- Remote control handset controls all functions
- Discrete IR codes for remote control
- Four 12v trigger output jacks for power amp auto turn-on:
- Two 12v trigger jacks are switched by the remote handset
- Two 12v trigger jacks are live when the JC 2 is turned on
- Two-way RS-232 serial port connection
- Line level inputs only; no inputs for phono
- Audio mute is switched by independent L & R relays
- Rear panel IR repeater input & loop out jacks
- Premium detachable heavy gauge IEC AC cord
- 2 6' (2m) trigger wires included
- Remote handset also controls Parasound Halo T 3 Tuner
- 3u Chassis, rack mountable with HRA3 (sold separately)
Input Audio March 2022
"Parasound's Halo JC 2 BP preamplifier is the pinnacle of analog audio technology. There are no compromises in its superb design or the quality of its component parts. In the 40 years I've been involved in HiFi, I've never heard such natural and defined musical reproduction."
The Absolute Sound 2016 High-End Buyer's Guide
"Creating this little masterwork at this price is another feather in Parasound's and designer John Curl's cap."
Stereophile, March 2008
Review (PDF)
POSITIVE FEEDBACK ONLINE - ISSUE 34 (Max Dudious)
Review (PDF)
JC2BP and JC5 South Korean Written Review
JC2BP South Korean Video Review