JCA100 Tribute Monoblock (Matched Pair)
100W Class‑A Tribute Power for Serious Listening
The JCA100 Tribute is a limited-edition power amplifier built as a tribute to John Curl’s career. It combines refined high-end performance with robust musicality—designed for listeners who demand clarity, warmth, and disciplined power in one elegant package.
each monoblock runs pure Class‑A to 100 W into 8 Ω (with 200 W into 4 Ω on tap), and offers both balanced XLR and RCA inputs. You also get a 29 dB / 23 dB gain switch, heavy binding posts, and Normal/Low bias options (Normal = full 100 W Class‑A). Only 100 pairs are hand‑assembled in the U.S., with a portion of proceeds supporting John Curl and scholarship seedings for future repair techs. In short: serious artistry, serious power.
Praised by reviewers
- “The best‑sounding Parasound amplifier I have heard” — Stereophile.
- “Allowed me to forget the system and focus on the music.” — Stereophile (Editors’ Choice write‑up).
Awards & Recognition
- Stereophile — Editors’ Choice (2024).
- Stereophile — Recommended Components (2025 Edition, Power Amplifiers).
Power Output (Class A)*
100 watts @ 8 Ω
Power Output (Maximum)*
100 watts @ 8 Ω
200 watts @ 4 Ω
Slew Rate > 130 volts per microsecond
Frequency Response
2 Hz - 120 kHz, +0/-2 dB
20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0/-0.25 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
< 0.15 % at full power
< 0.02 % at typical listening levels
IM Distortion < 0.03 %
TIM Unmeasurable
Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 50 kΩ
Balanced: 100 kΩ, (50 kΩ per leg)
S/N Ratio, inputs shorted
>120 dB, IHF A-weighted, bias set to Low
>118 dB, IHF A-weighted, bias set to High
>110 dB, Unweighted, bias set to Low
>109 dB, Unweighted, bias set to High
Total Gain
29 dB (Gain switch set to normal),
23 dB (Gain switch set to low)
Input Sensitivity**
Unbalanced: 1 V
Balanced: 1 V per leg
DC Trigger Requirements +9 Vdc to +12 Vdc, 5 mA
Audio Trigger Requirement 2.5 mV - 10 mV
XLR Pin Identification
1 = Ground
2 = Positive
3 = Negative
Dimensions
Width: 17.625" (448 mm)
Height: 7.75" (197 mm), without feet: 7.125" (181 mm)
Depth: 20" (508 mm), with cables: 21.5" (546 mm)
Weight
Net: 83 lbs. (37.6 kg), Shipping: 100 lbs. (45.4 kg)
Power Requirements
Standby: <1 Watt
Idle (bias set to low): 205 Watts
Idle (bias set to high): 230 Watts
Maximum: 250 Watts
*Power measurements are with 120 VAC: 0.15% THD, RMS continuous power, full audio band (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
**28.28 V Output into 8Ω, gain switch set to normal
John Atkinson Stereophile Review
A significant portion of the proceeds is allocated to the designer, in addition to scholarships for aspiring designers.