Stereophile Recommended component for the Parasound JC3+

As it wont be long before we can share the 2026 Recommended Stereophile components with you, we wanted to remind you about the PARASOUND JC3+ first!

Stereophile Recommended Component 2025

The Halo JC 3+ is a true dual-mono design with a large R-core transformer power supply. Construction quality is first rate, top-shelf parts are used throughout, and the stout, heavy case is beautifully finished. Its fully direct-coupled RIAA equalization circuit is based on the circuit used in Curl’s famed Vendetta Research SCP-2, while the output stage is a true dual-differential, balanced design. In addition, the JC 3 has a built-in AC line conditioner, and its power supplies are modeled after those found in the extremely quiet Halo JC 2 line stage. The JC 3 sounded remarkably similar to BJR’s reference, the Vendetta SCP-2, but lacked some high-frequency purity and ambience recovery. JA noted superb measured performance. Of the Halo JC 3+, which adds variable cartridge loading for the MC input, HR wrote: “The John Curl-designed Halo JC 3+ is the best commercially available phono preamplifier I’ve used—period.”