Parasound JCM250 Compact Monoblock Amplifiers

Compact Power with Deep Musicality

The JCM250 is a high-performance monoblock amplifier designed for listeners who want serious power without excessive size. Whether you’re driving demanding full-range speakers or crafting a powerful home theater front-end, it delivers authority and finesse—even when the music gets intense.

Designed by John Curl, the JCM250 runs high-bias Class A/AB with up to 8 W in pure Class A (High Bias; 4 W in Low Bias) and delivers 250 W into 8 Ω, 450 W into 4 Ω, and 800 W into 2 Ω with 100 A peak current. The circuit is direct-coupled (no capacitors in the audio path) with a JFET input stage and MOSFET driver stage, plus XLR/RCA inputs and loop-outs for effortless bi-amping. Integration is simple with 29 dB / 23 dB gain options, 12 V trigger or audio-sense auto-on, and a 2U chassis that’s easy to rack. Parasound also equips the input stage with Bybee Music Rails™ high-frequency filters.

The Absolute Sound Editors’ Choice 2026 Winner

Specifications: 

Power Output

• 250 watts@8 Ω
• 450 watts@4 Ω
• 800 watts @2 Ω
• Power measurements are with 120 VAC: 0.15% THD, RMS continuous power, full audio band (20 Hz - 20 kHz)

Class A Power Output

• 8 Watts, bias set to high
• 4 Watts, bias set to low

Current Capacity 100 amps, peak

Slew Rate > 130 volts per microsecond

Frequency Response

• 2 Hz - 110 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
• >108 dB, Unweighted, bias set to High

Total Gain

• 29 dB (Gain switch set to normal)
• 23 dB (Gain switch set to low)

Input Sensitivity for 28.28 V into 8Ω (Gain switch set to normal)

• Unbalanced: 1V
• Balanced: 1V 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 (Shield)
• 2 = Positive
• 3 = Negative (Return)

Dimensions

• Width: 17.25" (437 mm)
• Height without feet: 3.5" (89 mm), 2U
• Height with feet: 4.125" (105 mm)
• Depth: 20" (508 mm)
• Depth with cables: 21.5" (546 mm)

Net Weight 42 lbs (19.1 kg)

ShippingWeight 50 lbs (22.6 kg)

PowerRequirement

• Standby:<1 Watt
• Idle (bias set to low): 125 Watts
• Idle (bias set to high): 240 Watts
• Typical Listening levels: 300 Watts
• Maximum: 800 Watts