Parasound JC-1 Amps?

[EldRick]

Has anyone used the Parasound JC-1 monoblocs with Apogees?
http://parasound.com/jc1.php

They are said to work OK with 1-ohm Scintillas, claim zero DC offset, and have been on the Stereophile Class A list for a decade.

A used pair can be had for around $4.5K, so they are a "bargain" in high-end terms.

[User211]

I used a A21 on Duettas with a EAR 868PL pre for a while.

The A21, with a tube front end, is pretty phenomenal, really, for the money. Very high performance. Needs a tube front end, though - a passive and it isn't that pleasant.

Dynamics, grip and control in abundance.

The A21 is enough to leave you gobsmacked. Can only imagine the JC-1s will be better.

If you like a more laid back type of sound, don't get a Parasound.

[EldRick]

I've never heard any other Parasound amp, and I expect that they are voiced for "spectacular" home theater, but the JC-1 sounds superb with my D-Sigs. It is neutral and clean at all frequencies.

[thekong]

Not sure about other Apogees, but the JC-1 can't handle the 1-ohm Scintillas!

I asked John Curl directly years ago, and he said no!

[henk]

Yet this is what John Atkinson wrote in stereophile:

quote

with 1154W available into 4 ohms (27.6dBW, blue), 2255W into 2 ohms (27.5W, green), and no less than 4.2kW into 1 ohm (27.2dBW, magenta). The latter is equivalent to an output current of 64.7A!

Read more at http://www.stereophile.com/content/para ... pB73DeW.99

unquote

So I think it is safe to assume it can handle the scinnies.....

[Vansloneker]

But can the Scintilla handle all that power?

[EldRick]

That's a really silly question. They don't deliver any more power than any other amp at the same volume, but have enormous reserves for peaks.

[Vansloneker]

Serious, 64.7A is a lot of current to sent through aluminum foil.

[apogee_admin]

You need the current with the large but short transients in music, you are not using 60 amps all the time.

[EldRick]

Also note that the aluminum foil strips used in Apogees have enormous heat-dissipation capability, as the very large surface is exposed to cooling air.
It's not like a cone driver, where the wiring is concentrated into a tightly-wrapped coil where heat builds up.
Believe me - all else being equal, more power makes Apogee speakers sound better. Lots better.