The Halo JC1+ is a mono power amplifier by Parasound that delivers 450 watts into 8 ohms, 850 watts into 4 ohms and 1,300 watts into 2 ohms, per chassis, with the first 25 watts in pure Class A. This is a monoblock: a stereo system needs two. It was released in 2019. It is a 1-channel design using a Class A/AB output stage. Speakers connect via binding posts. A minimum impedance of 1 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. The Parasound Halo JC1+ has an MSRP of $8,500.
There are 5 Parasound amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
Parasound Power Amplifier Series
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The Parasound Halo JC1+ is rated at 450 watts RMS into 8-ohms.
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 450 watts into 8-ohms (2 Hz-120 kHz)
- 850 watts into 4-ohms
How loud will 450 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the Parasound Halo JC1+?
450 W into 8 ohms, 850 W into 4, rated down to 1 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
Parasound Halo JC1+ is rated at 450 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our Over 180 watts band. That is the top band we cover, so there is no step up from here - if it is not enough, the answer is more sensitive speakers or a smaller room, not more watts.
When pairing the Parasound Halo JC1+ with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the Parasound Halo JC1+ Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Parasound Halo JC1+ amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Are you nuts? |
| Small Room | Bad |
| Mid-size Room | Poor |
| Large Room | Good |
| Very Large Room | Good |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Parasound Halo JC1+, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Parasound Halo JC1+ has total of 2 Analog inputs .
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
Outputs
Bluetooth Connectivity
Parasound Halo JC1+ doesn't have bluetooth connectivity feature. In order to stream your music via bluetooth, the easiest way is to connect an external bluetooth receiver to your Parasound Halo JC1+. Two bluetooth receivers that we recommend are the
iFi Zen Blue V2 and the
Audioengine B1.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Phono Input
Parasound Halo JC1+ doesn't have a phono input so in order to play your vinyl albums, Parasound Halo JC1+ has to be paired with a Phono Preamp that is MM (Moving Magnet) or/and MC (Moving COil) depending on your cartridge type.
Balanced connections
Parasound Halo JC1+ has a balanced XLR input. A balanced cable carries the signal twice, on two conductors of opposite polarity. Interference picked up along the way lands on both equally and cancels when the two are recombined at the far end, so the longer the cable run and the noisier the surroundings, the more the connection is worth. Whether a balanced connection also yields more power depends on how the amplifier is built inside - some are balanced end to end, others convert to single-ended internally and deliver the same power either way, so it is worth reading the maker's own wording rather than assuming.
Parasound Halo JC1+ Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Power nearly doubles into a harder load, 450 watts into 8 ohms rising to 850 into 4, which points to a power supply with real current in reserve.
- ✓450 watts per channel into 8 ohms is more than most rooms and most speakers will ever ask for.
- ✓Rated down to 1 ohms, so even a speaker with a punishing impedance dip is within its brief.
- ✓Class A operation, the topology most often chosen where distortion at low levels matters more than efficiency.
- ✓A monoblock - one per speaker, so the two channels share no power supply and no chassis.
- ✓Balanced XLR inputs, worth having on a long cable run.
- ✓10-year parts warranty, longer than most of the market.
- ✓Detachable mains lead (Yes).
- ✗Class A runs hot and draws mains power whether or not it is playing; it needs room to breathe.
- ✗Being a monoblock, you need two of them for stereo.
- ✗A power amplifier has no volume control and no input selection - it needs a preamplifier, or a source with a variable output, in front of it.
- ✗It weighs 37.7kg - check the shelf, and plan on a second pair of hands.
Parasound Halo JC1+ External Dimensions and Weight
Parasound Halo JC1+ has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 7-1/8 x 17-5/8 x 20 inch (181 x 447.7 x 508 mm ). The unit weighs
37.65 kg (83 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the Parasound Halo JC1+ is approximately 2274.3cm2 / 352.5inch2.
- Width: 447.7mm (17-5/8")
- Height: 181.0mm (7-1/8")
- Depth: 508.0mm (20")
- Weight: 37.65 kg (83 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~2274.3cm2 / 352.5inch2
- Volume: ~41.2 liter / 10.9 gallon
Available colors
Parasound Halo JC1+ is available in Black and Silver color options.
Warranty
10 Years of parts warranty and 10 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Parasound Halo JC1+ by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
Parasound |
| Full Model Name |
Parasound Halo JC1+ |
| Release Date |
2019 |
| Amplifier Type |
Power Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
1 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/AB |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
450 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
850 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
2 Hz-120 kHz |
| THD |
|
| Minimum Impedance |
1 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
N/A |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
No |
| Bluetooth |
No |
| WiFi |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
2 |
| Phono Input |
No |
| Headphone Output |
No |
| Removable Power Cord |
Yes |
| Speaker Connectors |
Binding posts |
| Level Controls |
Switchable gain, 29 dB or 23 dB |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
181.0mm (7-1/8") |
| Width |
447.7mm (17-5/8") |
| Depth |
508.0mm (20") |
| Weight |
37.65 kg (83 lbs) |
| Available Colors |
Black,Silver |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
How much power does the Parasound Halo JC1+ have?
The Parasound Halo JC1+ delivers 450 watts into 8 ohms, 850 watts into 4 ohms and 1,300 watts into 2 ohms, per chassis, with the first 25 watts in pure Class A. This is a monoblock: a stereo system needs two. Its output almost doubles into 4 ohms, which points to a strong power supply that can hold its composure with demanding, low-impedance speakers.
Does the Parasound Halo JC1+ use vacuum tubes?
No. The Parasound Halo JC1+ is a solid-state amplifier - there are no vacuum tubes in it.
What amplifier class is the Parasound Halo JC1+?
The Parasound Halo JC1+ uses a Class A/AB amplifier design. Class A/B is the traditional linear design: it runs warmer and is less efficient than Class D, but it is long valued for its natural, low-distortion sound.
Does the Parasound Halo JC1+ have a built-in DAC?
No. The Parasound Halo JC1+ has no built-in DAC, so a digital source such as a streamer or CD transport needs its own converter, or you connect it over analogue.
Can I connect a turntable to the Parasound Halo JC1+?
No. The Parasound Halo JC1+ has no phono input, so a turntable needs an external phono preamp (or a deck with one built in) before it can be connected.
Does the Parasound Halo JC1+ have Bluetooth?
No. The Parasound Halo JC1+ does not have Bluetooth built in; you would need an external Bluetooth receiver connected to one of its inputs.
Does the Parasound Halo JC1+ have a headphone output?
No. The Parasound Halo JC1+ does not have a headphone output, so headphone listening needs a separate headphone amplifier.
How much does the Parasound Halo JC1+ cost?
The Parasound Halo JC1+ has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $8,500.
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