I also just bought a used JC5 and JC2 preamp, around the same time as you. I pretty much agree with everything you've said. The JC5 is very warm and musical, but also has great resolution and control. Bass is on another level from most other amps. Very powerful and full, digs deep and doesn't let up, yet still tight and controlled. What strikes me most about the JC5, that I would add to your review, is the imaging. Coming from a handful of other solid state solutions, including Hint 6 and also my Galion TS120 SE tube amp, the JC5 provides a more focused and three-dimensional sound, even then my tubes. My room is on the small side, so depth has long been one of my weak links. With the JC5, I genuinely feel like I could reach out and physically touch each instrument in most recordings. The rest of my system consists of my Tekton Moabs with Be center tweeters and high end crossover upgrade, as well as Townshend podiums. JC2 pre, as I said and my DAC is the Audio-gd R7-HE. I play my music with a Wiim Pro streamer. I'm very happy with my sound! PS, don't forget to distinguish between the original JC1 and newer JC1+. The JC1+ are in the $20k range for a pair, like you said. I don't think I've seen a used set much under $14k, either. The original JC1 come up used in the $4k a pair range, often enough. I strongly considered them over a JC5. However, the extra space needed, the extra power needed and the fact that the last JC1's were made in 2016, all led me to choose the JC5 instead. No regrets.
I'm glad to hear you like your Parasound amplifier. I have a small listening space too. I have had issues with height & depth soundstage imaging as well. Why do you think small rooms have this problem? IDK. Thanks, D-
@@davidstein9129 It takes air space to generate an image. If there is stuff between the speakers, or they're too close to the walls, then you deal with a lot of reflections that confuse the sound. Small rooms struggle with deep bass too, because the waves are so long. High frequencies act like a vibration and shoot around much more directionally. Low bass waves are so long, they act more like the pressure in the whole room is rising and falling. But in a small room, a 20hz wave might bounce back and fourth between either opposing or walls four or five times before one cycle is complete. So the rising and falling edges constantly overlap each other and you never really get a clean high or low peak, which is why it will sound weak and muddy and smear the rest of the sound stage. One of my friends has a newer house with a huge, open concept living room. He was much less expensive equipment and his bass is probably deeper and more impactful than mine, though not as well articulated.
Thanks for your terrific reply. Yes... What you told me Zack about small room acoustics was spot on. About two years ago, I acoustically treated my listening space with Bass Traps from RealTraps of CT. The folks there treated me like a king and walked me through the whole process. The sound of my stereo tightened up & became very focused & clear sounding along all frequency bands.. best that I can tell. My stereo sounds gutsy and so much fun to listen to. Thanks again Keep up all the great work. Cheers, David-
Thanks for doing this vid. I have a question for you & your viewers. I want to upgrade my Parasound P6 Preamp. I have narrowed my search down to 2 preamplifiers..the Parasound JC-2PB and McIntosh C49..which replaces the C47. Both are said to be fine performers. I won't be able to audition them first. What are the basic sonic differences between these 2 modern preamplifiers? Which do you prefer? Tx, Di-
Pretty sure the JC5 came out in 2018. Amperage (current) really has to do with driving low impedance loads rather than low efficiency speakers. Looks like you got yourself a clean unit. If it's for casual listening, why bother to replace the A21? Wouldn't it be better to spend that money on your reference system?
So much missinformation here! Jc5 dont deliver 90 ampere pr channel, its peak.. 8-15watta can damage hearing? No and no.. 100w dont damage shit if ur speakers are not sensetive
![BRASIL vs. PERÚ [4-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tbyOJKXfQnI/mqdefault.jpg)
I also just bought a used JC5 and JC2 preamp, around the same time as you. I pretty much agree with everything you've said. The JC5 is very warm and musical, but also has great resolution and control. Bass is on another level from most other amps. Very powerful and full, digs deep and doesn't let up, yet still tight and controlled.
What strikes me most about the JC5, that I would add to your review, is the imaging. Coming from a handful of other solid state solutions, including Hint 6 and also my Galion TS120 SE tube amp, the JC5 provides a more focused and three-dimensional sound, even then my tubes. My room is on the small side, so depth has long been one of my weak links. With the JC5, I genuinely feel like I could reach out and physically touch each instrument in most recordings.
The rest of my system consists of my Tekton Moabs with Be center tweeters and high end crossover upgrade, as well as Townshend podiums. JC2 pre, as I said and my DAC is the Audio-gd R7-HE. I play my music with a Wiim Pro streamer. I'm very happy with my sound!
PS, don't forget to distinguish between the original JC1 and newer JC1+. The JC1+ are in the $20k range for a pair, like you said. I don't think I've seen a used set much under $14k, either. The original JC1 come up used in the $4k a pair range, often enough. I strongly considered them over a JC5. However, the extra space needed, the extra power needed and the fact that the last JC1's were made in 2016, all led me to choose the JC5 instead. No regrets.
I'm glad to hear you like your Parasound amplifier.
I have a small listening space too.
I have had issues with height & depth soundstage imaging as well.
Why do you think small rooms have this problem? IDK.
Thanks,
D-
@@davidstein9129 It takes air space to generate an image. If there is stuff between the speakers, or they're too close to the walls, then you deal with a lot of reflections that confuse the sound. Small rooms struggle with deep bass too, because the waves are so long. High frequencies act like a vibration and shoot around much more directionally. Low bass waves are so long, they act more like the pressure in the whole room is rising and falling. But in a small room, a 20hz wave might bounce back and fourth between either opposing or walls four or five times before one cycle is complete. So the rising and falling edges constantly overlap each other and you never really get a clean high or low peak, which is why it will sound weak and muddy and smear the rest of the sound stage. One of my friends has a newer house with a huge, open concept living room. He was much less expensive equipment and his bass is probably deeper and more impactful than mine, though not as well articulated.
Thanks for your terrific reply.
Yes... What you told me Zack about small room acoustics was spot on. About two years ago, I
acoustically treated my listening space with Bass Traps from
RealTraps of CT.
The folks there treated me like a king and walked me through the whole process. The sound of my stereo tightened up & became very focused & clear sounding along all frequency bands..
best that I can tell.
My stereo sounds gutsy and so much fun to listen to.
Thanks again
Keep up all the great work.
Cheers,
David-
Love your bi-wiring solution! Beautiful amp
Thanks for doing this vid. I have a question for you & your viewers. I want to upgrade my Parasound P6 Preamp. I have narrowed my search down to 2 preamplifiers..the
Parasound JC-2PB
and McIntosh C49..which replaces the C47.
Both are said to be fine performers.
I won't be able to audition them first. What are the basic sonic differences between these 2 modern preamplifiers? Which do you prefer?
Tx,
Di-
Id love to hear this sound.
Went Coda 😊 Doug Dale is a genius 👏
Pretty sure the JC5 came out in 2018. Amperage (current) really has to do with driving low impedance loads rather than low efficiency speakers.
Looks like you got yourself a clean unit.
If it's for casual listening, why bother to replace the A21? Wouldn't it be better to spend that money on your reference system?
I bought my brand new JC5 in DECEMBER 2018.
Last one that Richard did with John Curl was JC1+ mono blocks. The JC1 you referred to should be JC1+.
Was it night and day in comparison when you hooked it up?
Yes. The jc5 sounds more open , transparent and wider , with more detail than the a21
Can you just talk into the camera because your voice is quite relaxing. lol
So much missinformation here! Jc5 dont deliver 90 ampere pr channel, its peak.. 8-15watta can damage hearing? No and no.. 100w dont damage shit if ur speakers are not sensetive
He said 8-15 watts DONT damage your ears. 100 watts at full blast will absolutely damage your ears
Again, it all deppends on the sensetivity of the speakers