• 400 watts x 2 @ 8 Ω RMS, both channels driven
• 600 watts x 2 @ 4 Ω RMS, both channels driven
• 1200 watts x 1@ 8 Ω, in bridged mode
• Circuitry designed by legendary John Curl
• Ultra-high bias Class A/AB operation
• 12 watts per channel of pure Class A power
• 90 amperes peak current per channel
• Stable with speaker impedance dips to 1.5 Ω
• Balanced inputs with discrete circuits
• CHK Infinium, custom 5-way speaker binding posts
• Neutrik locking XLR input connectors
• Vampire gold-plated RCA input & loop output jacks
• Direct-coupled signal path, no capacitors or inductors
• DC Servo and relay protection circuits
• AC turn-on inrush surge protection with relay bypass
• Dual-mono input stages with ±110 volt DC rails
• JFET input stage, MOSFET driver stage
• 24 beta-matched 15 ampere, 60 MHz bipolar output transistors
• 1.7 kVA shielded toroid power transformer with independent windings for each channel
• Independent power supplies for left & right channel input stages, driver stages, output stages
• 8,880 µF Nichicon Gold Tune filter capacitors for input stages
• 132,000 µF Rubycon filter capacitors for output stages
• Full power is rated all the way down to 5Hz for unrestricted low-end bass
• Harris hyper-fast soft-recovery bridge diode rectifiers
• Automatic turn-on by 12 V trigger or audio sensing
• 4 rack space chassis with rear carry handles
• Rack mount hardware is included
• Available in silver or black

Power Output – Both Channels Driven
400 watts x 2, 8 Ω
600 watts x 2, 4 Ω

Power Output – Bridged Mode
1200 watts x 1, 8 Ω
Bridged 4 Ω operation is not recommended

Power measurement parameters are at 120 VAC:
0.05% THD, RMS continuous power,
full audio band (20 Hz - 20 kHz)

Current Capacity
90 amps peak, per channel

Slew Rate
> 130 volts per microsecond

Frequency Response
5 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.25 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
< 0.05 % at full power
< 0.03 % at typical listening levels

IM Distortion
< 0.04 %

TIM
Unmeasurable

Inter-channel Crosstalk
> 87 dB at 1 kHz
> 72 dB at 20 kHz

Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 33 kΩ
Balanced: 66 kΩ,(33 kΩ per leg)

Total Gain
29 dB

Input Sensitivity for 28.28 V Output into 8 Ω
Unbalanced: 1 V
Balanced: 1 V per leg

S/N Ratio
> 116 dB, input shorted, IHF A-weighted
> 111 dB, input shorted, unweighted

Damping Factor
1000 at 20 Hz

DC Trigger Requirements
+9 Vdc to +12 Vdc, 5 mA

Audio Trigger Requirements
2 mV - 10 mV

XLR Pin Identification
1 = Ground (Shield)
2 = Positive
3 = Negative (Return)

Dimensions
Width: 17-5⁄8" (448 mm)
Height without feet: 7-1⁄8" (181 mm)
Height with feet: 7-3/4" " (197 mm)
Depth: 20" (508 mm)
Depth with cables: 21-1⁄2" (546 mm)

Net Weight
73 lb. (33.1 kg)

Shipping Weight
90 lb. (40.8 kg)

Power Requirement
Standby: 1 Watt
Idle (no music playing): 225 Watts
Typical listening levels: 400 Watts
Maximum: 1500 Watts

Positive Feedback, June 2023
"The JC 5 is truly a chameleon in a neutral system. What I will say is that the JC 5 brings more realism to the table, and it expands the envelope of the dynamic range on really good recordings that contain a lot of dynamic range. The soundstage with the JC 5 becomes bigger in all dimensions with increased spatiality of sounds within the expanded boundaries of the soundstage."

PARTTIME AUDIOPHILE BEST AMPLIFIERS, SUMMER 2022 GUIDE—Parasound Halo JC 5
"Just one step down from the highly regarded Halo monoblocks, the Parasound JC 5 is a dual mono design "from the transformer windings on." We found this stereo power amplifier to sound good, first and foremost, with a midrange quality that's rare among solid state amps at this price point. "Inherently neutral, accurate without being dry, no solid state etching or harshness whatsoever, and imaging and soundstage that could compete with similarly priced tube amps." A Reviewer's Choice winner."

Input Audio March 2022
"The Halo JC 5 stereo power amplifier was developed in collaboration with legendary audio designer John Curl. It is designed without compromise for exacting musical reproduction. With its exquisite performance and compelling value, the JC 5 is the new 'amplifier benchmark.'"

Positive Feedback, January 2022
"Many components come along that sit well in our systems and become an integral part of them, even increasing our joy in what we are hearing. However, on rare occasion, we unbox and plug in a piece that truly elevates our entire listening experience—this sums up my time with the Parasound JC 5."

AudioXpress, October 2021
"... I can confidently say that you would have to throw down for much more to better the subjective sound quality. Your entire system—from sources to wiring to speakers—would also have to be exemplary to even match this amp's pedigree and performance. This behemoth is worthy of unqualified admiration; highly recommended."

Part Time Audiophile, April 2021
"Everything about this 400W into 8Ω and 600W into 4Ω with 12W of pure Class A transitioning into Class AB oozes thoughtfulness and attention to detail"

Twittering Machines, April 2021
"My initial impressions listening to the DeVore Fidelity O/93 speakers powered by the gobs-O-music power delivered by the Parasound Halo JC 5 are, in a word, effortlessness."

SoundStage! HI-FI January 2019
"Having heard the JC 5, I realize that it's worth every penny. Its sound delighted me in ways that few other components ever have. By any measure, the Halo JC 5 is a superb power amplifier. I can't recommend Parasound's Halo JC 5 highly enough."

HomeTheaterReview.com - Best of 2018 - December 2018

Hi-Fi News (UK) December 2019 - Outstanding Product Award
"This is one fast, hard-hitting amplifier with superb grip on speakers. The JC 5 will please even if you never explore the limits of its performance."

Home Theater Review November 2018
"The JC 5 plays whatever you want the way it was meant to be played. For Parasound to have such stringent design criteria on the JC 5 is impressive indeed. Like its big brother, the original JC 1, the Parasound JC 5 is a stunning amplifier."

JC5 Manual

Spade Terminal Compatibility