Parasound JC 3 User Manual

JC 3

Phono Preamplifier

OWNER’S GUIDE

Important Safety Instructions

The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence
of “dangerous voltage” inside the product that may constitute a risk of electric shock.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating
and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying the product.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL

1. Read Instructions — Read all the safety and operating instructions before operating this product.

2. Retain Instructions — Retain safety and operating instructions for future reference.

3. Heed Warnings — Adhere to all warnings on the product and in the operating instructions.

4. Follow Instructions — Follow all operating and use instructions.

5. Cleaning — Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Clean the
outside of the product only.

6. Attachments — Do not use attachments that are not recommended by the product manufacturer; they may be
hazardous.

7. Water and Moisture — Do not use this product near water.

8. Accessories — Do not place this product on an unstable cart or stand. The product may fall, causing bodily injury
and damage to the product. A product and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force,
and uneven surfaces may cause the product and cart to overturn.

9. Ventilation — Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable operation of the
product and to protect it from overheating. These openings must not be blocked or covered. This product should not be
placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided.

10. Power Sources — Operate this product only from the type of power source indicated on the label. If you are not
sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your dealer or local power company. This product is equipped
with a three-prong grounding plug. This plug will only fit into a grounding power outlet. If you are unable to insert the plug
into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding
plug.

11. Power Cord Protection — Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or
pinched by items placed upon or against them.

12. Lightning — Unplug the unit from the wall outlet for added protection during a lightning storm and when it is left
unattended and unused for long periods of time. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power line
surges.

13. Overloading — Do not overload wall outlets or extension cords. This can result in a fire or electric shock.

14. Inserting Objects into Unit — Never push objects of any kind into this product through any openings; they may
touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in fire or electric shock.

15. Servicing — Do not attempt to repair or service this product yourself. Opening or removing covers may expose you to
dangerous voltage and other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

16. Damage Requiring Service — Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified
service personnel under the following conditions: a) If the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.
b) If liquid has been spilled into the product. c) If the product has been exposed to rain or water. d) If the product does
not operate normally by following the operating instructions. e) If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.
f) If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.

17. Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used
replacement parts specified by the manufacturer. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, and other
hazards.

19. Safety Check — Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform
safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.

20. Wall or Ceiling Mounting — Mount the product to a wall or ceiling only as recommended.

21. Heat — The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, and
other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

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Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................. 4

Placement and Ventilation Guidelines.............................. 5

AC Voltage Selection .......................................... 6

Audio Input and Output Connections .............................. 7

Other Connections on your JC 3 ................................. 8

Rear Panel Controls ........................................... 9

Front Panel Operation ......................................... 10

Frequently Asked Questions.................................... 11

If You Require Assistance or Warranty Repair ...................... 12

Specifications ............................................... 13

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INTRODUCTION

Thank You for Choosing Parasound

Your new Parasound Halo JC 3 Phono Preamplifier is the pinnacle of analog audio technology
and value engineering. It is legendary designer John Curl’s latest design, carrying on a proud
tradition of phono preamp designs dating back to the 1970s.

We are proud to offer you this exceptionally versatile audio component, knowing that it will bring
you many years of enjoyment and dependability.

We appreciate you taking the time to read these instructions and thank you for selecting
Parasound. For updates and corrections to this manual, we invite you to check our web site,
www.parasound.com

Enjoy.

The Parasound Staff

Keeping Records for Future Reference

Record the serial number located on the back panel or bottom of your JC 3 in the space below.
Also note your Parasound Dealer’s name and telephone number. Your purchase receipt/bill of
sale is required to determine if your JC 3 is eligible for Parasound warranty service. We
recommend that you make an extra copy of your original purchase receipt/bill of sale and store it
inside the JC 3’s carton.

Parasound JC 3 Phono Preamplifier Serial #:
__________________________________________________
Parasound Dealer:
________________________________________________________________
Parasound Dealer Phone Number:
__________________________________________________________________
Date of Purchase:
________________________________________________________________

Important Warranty information

There is no Parasound warranty for this unit if it was not purchased from an Authorized
Parasound Dealer. Investigate warranty coverage statements made by an unauthorized dealer

very carefully, as you will need to depend entirely upon your dealer, and NOT upon Parasound.
Unauthorized dealers lack the capability to make repairs or arrange for repairs of Parasound
equipment. A list of Authorized Parasound Dealers and detailed warranty information is available
at www.parasound.com or you can call (415) - 397- 7100 between 8:30 am and 4 pm Pacific
time.
A missing or altered serial number could indicate that this unit was re-sold by an unauthorized
dealer or is stolen merchandise. If this unit is missing its serial number or the serial number has
been altered, you should return it to your dealer immediately for a full refund.

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Unpacking Your JC 3 & Placement Guidelines

Unpacking Your JC 3

Carefully remove your JC 3 from its shipping carton and locate all the enclosed accessories:

• AC power cord

• Two trigger wires, one with 3.5 mm mini plugs, one with a 2.5mm and a 3.5mm mini plug

While you are unpacking your JC 3, inspect it thoroughly for possible shipping damage and tell
your Parasound dealer immediately if you find any. If possible, save and store both the inner and
outer cartons and–most especially–the foam packing inserts, to protect the JC 3 if you have to
move it or ship it. You may wish to flatten the cardboard cartons to save room in storage after
cutting the taped seams on the bottom flaps. This would be a good time to make a copy of your
sales receipt to store with the JC 3’s original packing.

Placement Guidelines

The JC 3 will be easier to use and will last longer if you follow these simple guidelines:

 Place the JC 3 on a shelf that will adequately support its weight.
 Use input and output cables that are long enough to leave some slack; that will enable

you to pull the JC 3 out of a cabinet to check or to change connections without
inadvertently disconnecting cables.

 If you’re putting the JC 3 in a cabinet, it needs a space that’s at least 22 inches wide so

you’ll be able to turn it around for access to its rear panel connections.

 Place your JC 3 where you can route input and output signal cables as far as possible

from any AC cords.

 Where signal cables must cross AC cords they should do so only at a 90° right angle.

Ventilation Requirements

• Always position the JC 3 horizontally.

• We recommend that you do not place the JC 3 above a power amplifier.

• Do not install the JC 3 in an unventilated equipment cabinet or compartment. Pockets of

stagnant hot air can build up even in a cabinet with an open front and back. A ventilation
fan such as the Parasound Zbreeze is highly recommended to prevent “hot spots” in
confined spaces.

Rack Mounting Your Parasound JC 3

With its four feet removed, the JC 3’s front panel height occupies two rack spaces: 3.5" or 88.2
mm. (A single standard rack space occupies 1.75" vertical space.) For mounting in a standard
19” equipment rack, you must use the Parasound HRA 2 rack mount kit (purchased separately).
The HRA 2 kit includes four bolts and eight plastic washers with raised “shoulders.”

Slide one washer onto each mounting bolt with its raised shoulder pointing toward the panel hole.
Carefully insert the bolt through the hole and slide the other washer on the bolt with its raised
shoulder facing the rear side of the panel. The washers will sandwich the JC 3 panel and the
four mounting bolts to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the JC 3 chassis, the equipment
rack, and the other components mounted in the rack.

Note: Tighten each bolt just enough to keep the unit secure in the rack to avoid deforming the
shoulder washers. Eliminating metal-to-metal contact reduces the likelihood of creating a ground
loop that might introduce hum into your system.

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