Parasound Halo JC2BP Preamplifier

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)

Specifications: 

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)