10Qs For Martin Harding, International Sales Manager, Parasound.

Martin Harding showing off Parasound's CD-1 CD player, due to arrive sometime in September 2012.

Martin Harding, International Sales Manager for Parasound, was in KL for a one day visit. Nelson of Centre Circle Audio arranged a meeting, so we can talk to Martin, about the Parasound brand and products. As usual, I shoot my 10 Qs to Martin.

Big E: Care to update us a bit about the latest in Parasound?

MH: As you may already know, last year was hugely successful for Parasound, where our products won 5 Golden Ear Awards with the TAS publication, amongst many other awards elsewhere. Last financial year was also our most successful. Richard Schram, owner of Parasound, is no doubt a very happy man. For this year, Parasound will be getting out of the home theater market, except our multi chanel power amps which will continue for some foresee able future. Problem with the HT processor market is that the specs are just moving too fast, for a small specialty audio company like Parasound. The Japanese corporations typically launch a new range of HT processors, with new features and firmware, every 12 months or so, which makes it too hard for us to play catch up all the time.

For 2012, we'd be launching our brand new CD-1, CD player. We'd also be launching a 24/192 capable DAC, which is the hottest product in the hifi market today. The Z-Series will be re-launched too, with a rounder silver finish face plate, sans the rack mount, for that more elegant domestic home look. The satin black finished with rack mount models will continue too.

Big E: How does John Curl, and the products he designed fit in to the organisation of Parasound?

MH: Yes, John Curl is our product designer, however, he has no equities with Parasound. JC usually works on products that we ask him to, he sends us a circuit design, we evaluate and improvements made, then back and forth, until the product is ready for the manufacturing line.

Big E: All Parasound product made in Taiwan, under OEM arrangements?

MH: Yes, the factory in Taiwan makes Parasound products based upon OEM arrangements. We make about 500 or 1000pcs of a certain product each batch, which makes it too costly to be made in the US. We then distribute the products in the US and around the world.

Big E: Back to your new CD-1, CD player, isn't it a bit late coming in to the market now?

MH: We certainly do not think so. We know that CD is still the most accessible music carrier format today, and there are millions and millions of CD in people's music collection. There is still demand for a high quality CD player.

Big E: How about the soon to be launched 24/192 capable DAC, I think that it may be more forward thinking to do a 32/384 capable DAC, with the recent emergence of such hi-rez music files?

MH: Practically, most of the music you'd want is hard to come by, even as 24/192 music files today. No doubt more will be available as time goes by. However, I've been reliably informed that our 24/192 capable DAC, has allowed for firm ware up grades as a form of future proof.

Martin posing with more Parasound amps.

Big E:Would Parasound ever consider getting in to class A type amps?

MH: With the current standard of sound quality available from our class A/B designs, it is unlikely we'd be looking in to class A bias operating amps. However, you'd never know what John Curl dreams up next!

Big E: Is the US still the biggest market for Parasound? How do you compare Parasound against the likes of Krell or Mark Levinson?

MH: Absolutely, the US accounts for 50% of our business, with the rest of the world taking the remaining 50%. Parasound is about getting serious sound quality within what is still considered an affordable price for many music lovers and audiophiles. The two big brands that you've just mentioned is just way too pricey for most people. I'd like to use the automobile analogy, if you liken Parasound as the Mercedes, which offers great engineering performance and prestige at a reasonably affordable price, where else Krell and Mark Levinson are more a kind to the Bentley or Rolls Royce of the hifi world. Seriously, how many music lovers who turn on their system every night, can afford Krell or Mark Levinson? Only the very rich audiophiles can afford to buy them.

The mini Z-Series components will soon be available with a silver finish option.

Big E: Are you happy about the iPod phenomenon amongst the younger music consumers?

MH: I personally think iPod is certain a good thing for the future of the audio industry. Just like the Walkman generation, which many eventually up grading to full fledged hifi system as they grow up. Now if only 25% of today's iPod users become tomorrow's hifi consumers, then the industry would pick up again. I know because my kids consume their music on an iPod now, but eventually they'll want something that offers better sound quality. The emerging after market headphones and head amps are proof of it.

Big E: Do you use an iPod?

MH: Yes! I use an iPod for music when I am working out or when I am travelling. When I am home, I'd listen to music on a proper hifi set up.

Big E: An all Parasound system?

MH: Yes, except for the speakers, which we do not make!

Martin also mentioned a little known fact that Parasound amplifiers which are THX certified, have been used extensively in Hollywood for the motion picture sound tracks, including the all last three Star Wars prequel. Many of the Hollywood film producers insist on using only Parasound amps, which are THX certified, to meet the most stringent THD standards, set by George Lucas himself.

And no, Martin Harding has left the building, so he won't be attending the KLIAV 2012.

Best Amplifiers 2011.

In 2010 we dabbled in more than a few power amps, but the situation is outta control in 2011 as our pre amp lust took over and ran amok!

We found the latest batch of luxury audio equipment level of pre amps to be the most neutral, transparent and offer the lowest noise floor of their kind yet. Even the best pre amps made just a few years ago, will sound some what tonally rose tinted and lacked the full transparency factor that allows the lowest of harmonic and timbrel details to be fleshed out, compared to those listed here.

All that I've mentioned of course, excludes the tube based VTL 5.5 Series II Signature. This pre amp remains special to me because of it's non-conformist, i.e. more colourful sonic character. Some like it, others do not, as we have found, and will likely to split opinions.

Sorry guys, we got some what carried away and neglected to find any bargains here this time.

TAD C-2000 pre amp is our current reference!

TAD C-2000 pre amp.

We were completely stunned by how far, this pre amp moved the hifi and musical performance goal post ahead compared to the rest of the pack! It virtually disappeared from the equipment chain, with no sonic character what so ever for us to latch on. A total musical chameleon, it just reflects each and every recording as a whole, without any of the filtering effects in transmission properties when adding another equipment to the chain. Everything in a given recording, even the most subtle of details missed by others, is effortlessly portrayed by this TAD, giving every note it's due time and space to fully develop, lingers on just that bit longer, slowly evaporating in to a fine mist of "air", before the next note starts! The C-2000 is also the most natural sounding pre amp, most free from electronic artifacts that I've yet heard, period! I can't wait to hear how much more it's bigger brother the TAD C-600 has to offer?

Jeff Rowland Corus is one interesting pre amp, but one of my favorite.

Jeff Rowland Corus.

The JRDG Corus is the budget version of the Criterion flagship. The only areas where corners seemed to have been cut is the simplified switching power supply, compared to the more elaborate battery/charger based unit that comes with the Criterion. The sound quality however, does not reflect the cost cutting! It's easily the best performing pre amp that came calling to my system over the years. The sound is exciting, yet at the same time exacting. It's totally neutral when it comes to tonality and one of the most transparent pre amp available now. Perhaps there's a positive sonic synergy matching my Pass Aleph 0 power amps, while in some systems the Corus can sound a bit on the analytical side, which may lead some, if most to prefer the next candidate on the list!

Many will like the Ayre KX-R for it's highly musical and natural presentation.

Ayre KX-R.

Holding joint honours with the JRDG Corus is the Ayre KX-R flagship pre amp. In the context of my already slightly warm sounding system, the Ayre came across as just slightly less muscular. However, I know many who may prefer the more forgiving qualities of this pre amp over the earlier two candidates. Supremely musical and dead silent, jet black back ground lets images stand out in a rather laid back sound stage. The KX-R is just as transparent as the JRDG and never have these two pre amps split more opinions than before, despite their near equal sound quality assessment!

VTL 5.5 Series II Signature can be ordered with a phono stage card, which occupies nearly half the internal space!

VTL 5.5 Series II Signature.

This is the only tube based pre amp design we've tried and it stood out for daring to be different, even if it sounds a little o'skool. Unlike the latest ARC tube pre amp designs which aim to close the gap with solid state likeness in it's sonic character, the VTL should be congratulated for standing it's ground sound wise, just being on the tube side of things. It's warm, inviting tonal colours are as easy on the ears as wearing a pair of well worn jeans. Still highly transparent enough to allow music listening sessions to be enjoyable, while only a slight softening of dynamics and transient was detected, compared against the rest in this group. Full bodied imaging realism and ambiance cues are a plenty, as any proud tube design should be. Viva la difference!

Not that we've played with much power amps this year(as a matter of fact, I didn't), however I feel the following amplifiers are worthy of ones consideration should one decide to do some power shopping. Listed in no particular rank or order.

1) Pass Labs XP-20 pre amp
2) Parasound JC-1 mono block
3) FM Acoustics FM108 mono block
4) TAD M2500 power amp
5) XTZ A100 integrated amp

Next, Best Speakers 2011.

Best Analogue Gear 2011.

Let us start with some analogue gears! Despite my conversion to CAS as my daily fuss free music source, the black vinyl curse still wears it's spell on me, especially when I am in the mood for some seriously audiophile numbing music, mostly jazz from 50's till the 60's.

Though we did not review much analogue stuff this year, making this three candidates appear by default, they are by no means turd sounding. Not at all. In the vinyl world, this three entries are considered real world enough for the aspiring audiophile and most of all that Rega RP-1 turn table set is likely going to be some newbie's entry point in to the black arts, and still not be ashamed about it's sonic potential, well at least with a cartridge up grade!


VPI Aries 3 & Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua MC cartridge, musically dynamic, with slam dunking bass response.

VPI Aries 3 & Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua Combo.

The VPI Aries 3 is the big brother to the successful Scout model we liked last year. When partnered with the Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua MC cartridge, sonically this mighty combo has what it takes to give the more up market tables from Clearaudio and Oracle a tough run for their money. The sound is highly transparent, with a hint of top end sweetness and slam dunking bass. It is also highly refined and ticks all the right audiophile boxes, performance wise. I have only two reservations about this table, first of which is the lack of an electronic speed change/control box(which is an extra cost option!). Second is the table's oversize plinth, which is great for stability, but will find it hard to fit on to standard sized racks. In my case, I had to review it, by setting it up on the floor. Not ideal, but ............


Parasound JC-3 is the our current RM$10k phono stage choice!

Parasound JC-3.

I was much impressed by the well rounded sonic performance of the Parasound JC-3. It does nothing wrong and everything well. It's strictly neutral tonal balance will allow the table, arm and cartridge's combo up stream to truly shine. The JC-3 is not particularly sensitive to cartridge loading, yet it's gain is high enough for use even with the lowest output of MC cartridges. It is noise free and is one of the quietest phono stage that I've tested, even with full gain setting. This Parasound is made to be partnered with turn table, arm and cartridge combo's a few rungs up it's own price! It's an over achiever and giant killer phono stage all rolled in to one!



Rega RP-1, a vinyl newbie's entry point.

Rega RP-1.

The sub RM$1k priced Rega RP-1 is possibly the cheapest and most cheerful bargain in the vinyl and perhaps the hifi world! It offers people a chance to experience the wonders of vinyl, without having to sell their mother or child! Sound wise, it's truly Rega centric, with it's exciting rhythm and pace, if a little grayish in the back ground. It's band width limited but still offers very decent musical dynamics. Best of all it's mid range is still unsullied yet offers enough body to be image rather convincingly. Which ever way one looks at it, it's still proudly made in England with pride and simplicity of engineering at it's best.

Next, we rate the best digital sources in 2011!

Power with Finesse – Parasound Halo JC1 Monoblock Amplifiers

The Parasound JC1 is one big monoblock amplifier, in bulk, in weight and in power. Coming in at 29kg (64lbs) a piece, you need to have a sturdy rack to house it, or, sans which, you just have to let it sit on the floor, like me. Its power rating is 300w into 8ohm; 800w into 4ohm; and, get this, it is even rated down to 2 ohm with a whopping 1200w on tap. Peak current delivery is 135A. With specifications like this, it will remain unfazed by any real world speaker load, I believe.

Indeed, when partnered with my EgglestonWorks The Nine loudspeakers, any CD and any music was a walk in the park for the Parasound Halo JC1. I played Charly Antolini’s drum opus “Crash” to room shaking, chest thumping, ear splitting level. It was exciting! On the track ‘Co-pilot’, the snare drum was tightly focused between the loudspeakers, the sound and transient was fast and impactful, hitting like a relentless jackhammer and yet everything was well defined and well controlled at the same time. On the other more complex tracks, all the instruments – percussion, drum, electric bass were clearly delineated, rhythm and speed were very good. The entire performance was also presented coherently. Nothing ever got into mush. The JC1 held the woofer cone on the loudspeakers with a tight grip, starting and stopping with precision.

Another CD that allowed the Parasound Helo JC1 to strut its stuff was Nils Lofgren‘s ‘Acoustic Live’ album. It was recorded with a live audience. The JC1 conjured a huge soundstage at the front of my room, and gave a good sense of the audience surrounding the performance as indicated by their applause and their shouts of excitement at the beginning, mid and end of each track, ambient cues were also aplenty. My favourite from this album was ‘Keith don’t go’, the acoustic guitar’s low notes sounded weighty yet agile, the high notes were just slightly sweet and had an airy quality to them. When Lofgren got into his guitar pyrotechnics, the JC1’s speed and cleanness made a good account of itself. It was an exciting and exhilarating listening experience.

Having confirmed that the Parasound Halo JC1 could make an excellent account of itself at speed, dynamics and detail retrieval, I turned to something more introspect and refined – female vocal. Both my reference CDs – a Stacy Kent Compilation and the 2V1G first album came through with flying colours, proving that the Parasound Halo JC1 had the requisite delicacy to handle the human voice. The JC1’s mids and highs had finesse, it could deliver female vocals with naturalness and sweetness.

There are a few small toggle switches on the back panel, used to control bias level, use of the rca or the xlr input and, more unusually, to lift the ground connection

The Parasound Halo JC1 had none of the negative qualities associated with solid state. Its treble region never sounded brittle or too sharp. In fact, it was silvery smooth. The amplifier also never sounded aggressive, coarse or mechanical, qualities that could afflict some high powered amplifiers. Extension and airiness were very good. I never got listening fatigue playing the JC1 for long hours.

The JC1 had its foot firmly planted in the solid state camp. My similarly priced full Class A Pass Labs XA-60 monoblocks has a sound that kind of stood in-between solid state and tube, being warmish and organic. The JC1 compared to the XA was a little less colourful, but it gave an impression of sounding more accurate in its presentation. The sound was not lean, just a little less rounded. What it had in greater measure was focus and control.

The Halo JC1 has a bias switch, the ‘low’ setting gives out 10w of class A power, whereas the ‘high’ setting gives out 25w. After a short comparison, I found that I preferred the ‘high’ setting unsurprisingly, though it was less environmentally friendly since more electricity was thrown away as heat. At the ‘high’ setting, the JC1 sounded more at ease, the music flowed better. The sound approached that of a class A amplifier, yet its quality in terms of power, dynamic swing and control were not diminished one bit.

No audiophile will complain about having too much power. Especially when the power was delivered without compromise to other qualities that we also hold dear – delicacy, refinement, details etc.. Having huge power reserve on tap also gave some peace of mind. With the Parasound Halo JC1 I did not have to worry about what kind of music I wanted to play and how loud I wanted to play it.

The Parasound Halo JC1 is listed for RM39,000/pair. If you are looking for a powerful amplifier that can drive any loudspeaker, with lifelike dynamics yet remaining composed and never go coarse, check the JC1 out.

The Parasound Halo JC1 epitomizes the best of today’s solid state.

Parasound is carried by Centre Circle Audio. Call 03-77282686 for an audition.

Paranormal! Parasound JC 3 Phono Stage.

Would you believe me if I told you this review took nearly half the year in the making? It's a long story, as you shall see. One of my buddies took delivery of his unit(one of the very first to reach Malaysian shores) sometime in March 2011. He instantly alerted me that this Parasound is something out of the ordinary, and that I should let the word out to our dear readers. I began arranging for a review unit instantly with the kind folks Center Circle Audio. Unfortunately, I was called away for an assignment, and when I returned, I found out that another reviewer from a local daily had beaten me to it. Like my buddy, the said reviewer was so... impressed with this Parasound JC 3 that he decided to keep the review sample! By then stock had run out and I had to wait for the next batch that came in last month.



A look at the innards of the Parasound JC3 will make almost any vinyl/hifi lover and DIY-ers knees weak. John Curl's attention to detail and production execution is first rate and will certainly put some of the more expensive rivals to shame! 


Post KLIAV, the review sample is in my man cave waiting to slot in to my LP playback chain. It replaced my 2 box Pass Labs X-Ono and here's what I found! But first, I must take the opportunity to admire the sumptuous build quality of the JC(designed by the same John Curl, of previously Mark Levinson JC series phono stage fame) 3. It's solid battle cruiser like build quality is re-assuring for reliability. Parasound's www proudly displays the very thoughtfully designed innards of the JC 3. A few touches stand out, like the huge AC input power factor filter cap on the right side of the casing, feeding clean power to a C-core transformer for low flux leakage. The power supply/regulator board and the C-core transformer is isolated from the AC input and both the dual mono audio signal boxes to further shield the venerable low level audio signal from the cartridge. Like most sub RM$10k phono stages, the Parasound JC 3 does not offer much flexibility when it comes to signal gain and cartridge loading choices.It's either MM @ 47db gain with default 47k ohm loading or MC @ 68db gain with 100 ohm loading. One may leave the MC loading option wide open at 47k ohm too, however I did not need to try. The Parasound, like my Pass Labs, offers RCA only input, with a choice of RCA or XLR output, which I used for the course of this review. My resident Linn Sondek LP 12 turn table mounted with Benz Micro LP low output(0.34mv) cartridge rounds up the partnering ancillaries.


The front panel of the Parasound JC3 only has two buttons. The one on the left is an ON/OFF switch, and the one on the right is a MUTE switch. The Parasound logo in the middle glows a healthy red when powered.


The Pass Labs X-Ono had ruled supreme the phono stage world within it's price range for almost a full decade, and the Parasound JC 3 show us just how far that world has progressed sound wise. I noted that even though the Parasound only had 68db of gain, it sounded as loud as my Pass on maximum 76db gain. I was also surprised that my cartridge sonically mated well with the Parasound on 100ohms of loading only. I was immediately impressed by the dynamics, and sense of urgency that this Parasound projects, it's very nearly equal to that of the X-Ono. Tonal quality aspect, the Parasound very much follows today's trend of absolute neutrality, as compared to my warmer sounding Pass. However, that absolute neutrality does not necessarily mean boring either! The highs are open and highly extended, never failing to convey a sense of top octave energy, if not as overall liquid as the Pass in presentation as I witness when playing Charlie Antolini's Crash LP. The mids are solid, but never beguiling like the Ayre P-5xe phono stage which plays the violin instrument like no other I've heard. The bass is fast, articulated and never short on impact. If anything, I found the musical presentation with the JC 3 when playing the Crash LP more up front and energetic compared to the warmer, more laid back X-Ono. 

The Parasound JC 3 is also impressively transparent with ultra low noise floor to boot(an area which the Pass X-Ono lost out). The Pass at maximum gain had some white hash in the quiet back musical grounds compare to the dead silent Parasound. Despite the up front musical presentation, I never felt fatigue or any ill effects of jarring highs. In fact, there's a real sense of musicality on offer here, which makes me look forward to every vinyl listening session during it's two weeks in my system. I think I spun nothing but vinyl during that whole two weeks!

The rear panel only has one RCA input and a choice between RCA or XLR output. The toggle switch selects cartridge loading.

There are few credible contenders in the phono stage market for less than RM$10k today. In fact, I counted three, from established high end marques.
1) PS Audio GCPH
2) Ayre P-5xe
3) Parasound JC 3
From the list, PS Audio sits right at the most affordable end, but still puts up a set of impressive hifi performance. Both the Arye and the Parasound offers more high end performance for a reasonable top up, the difference being the Ayre has lower gain for MC cartridges, and that makes it rather selective for partnering cartridges. While the Ayre's sound is definitely smooth with mid centric beguiling, it's slightly weak dynamics and lack of drive will works against it, unless partnered with a suitable medium output MC cartridge like the Clearaudio Concerto V2. The Parasound is the best sonic and musical all rounder, that balances speed, transparency and accuracy with musicality, that makes it a great partner for medium to low output MC cartridges like the Dynavector Karat D3(also sold by Center Circle Audio) or any of the higher range Benz Micros, like my LP. However, all three phono stages on the list does trade off adjust ablity for sound quality. I guess one has to pay more when looking for phono stages with higher flexibility but not necessarily better sound either. Do note that the Ayre P-5xe was never formally reviewed here either, but I had the opportunity to play with it in my system for a few days, sometime ago.

Should one wish, the other phono stages available at RM$10k or less are the various versions of FV Euroaudio's Pipit phono stages by Frank Acoustics(or simply Frankie, if you know tha man!) and the various versions AIME's from Audio Image, all locally made with pride!


Charlie Antolini's Crash LP is a very dynamic drum recording. It was know as a speaker buster back then in the 80's! This cover art represents the original pressing. My LP copy is a recent JETON re-issue, which looks slightly different on the cover art.


That more or less sums up my impression of the Parasound JC3 phono stage, priced at a very reasonable amount of RM$9,200.00 only.  Due to the very successful product sales world wide, Center Circle Audio tells me there is currently a waiting list for the Parasound JC3. If one dabbles in to the black arts, one should really check this Parasound out!

Parasound is sold by Center Cricle Audio, contact Sky, or Nelson at 03-77282686.

KLIAV 2010 - Centre Circle Audio

Centre Circle Audio will be showcasing flagship models from the major product lines they represent.

The hifi centrepiece will consist of the Pathos Endorphin CD player as the frontend,

with Halo JC2 Pre-amp and the imposing JC1 monoblocks from Parasound providing the power,


and the latest incarnation of the renowned Andra model, the Andra III, from EgglestonWorks completing the chain.

Cleaning up the juice to feed the system will be the Titan power conditioner from Isotek.


Rounding out this stellar cast will be powercords from JPS and audio cables from Purist Audio Design.

Centre Circle Audio will also be displaying acoustic treatment products from Auralex. If you have a problematic room, you should check them out.

Parasound Packages At Centre Circle Audio

In addition to the Parasound and EgglestonWorks combo package Big E wrote about earlier, Centre Circle Audio has also come up with a number of packages to make ownership of Parasound amplifiers easier. Music to our ears indeed.
Call Centre Circle Audio 03-7728 2686

Parasound/Egglestone Works Combo Promo!

Whoa! Big on performance at nearly give away prices. Look at the price! We have to do a double take, just to be sure.

Center Circle Audio is now promoting the Parasound Halo pre/power amps and a pair of Egglestone Works Dianne speakers at nearly give away prices! I remembered the Egglestone Works speakers alone comes with a sticker price of nearly RM$10K.

Guys and gals, if you've thinking about getting in to high end audio, consider no further! I don't think there's quite another hifi package as slick as this! Do your selves a favour, end your misery. Go and audition the combo promo.

I've been told that this offer is time limited and subjected to stock availability, so please hurry and call Center Circle Audio, Sky Wong, tel:03-77282686 for audition appointment.

Parasound Arrives At Centre Circle Audio

Parasound is now being distributed by Centre Circle Audio.

Parasound's Halo line of pre-amps, power amps, and monoblocks are now available for audition at CCA's showroom.

Parasound JC2 Preamplifier
(116dB s/n ratio; Frequency response 5Hz-100kHz +0/-3dB; Balanced inputs and outputs;
Switchable polarity invert; Full remote control)

Parasound JC1 Monoblocks (400w, 8 ohms / 800w, 4 ohms / 1200w, 2 ohms; 135A peak current; first 25w operates in pure class A)

Parasound JC1 Monoblocks (foregorund) driving EgglestonWorks The Nine
Parasound P3 Stereo Preamplifier (Balanced inputs and outputs; phono stage; Frequency response 5Hz-55kHz)

Parasound A21 Power anp (250/400w x 2, 8/4 ohms; 60A peak current) at left sitting on carpet
Parasound A23 Power amp (125 / 200w x 2, 8/4 ohms; 45A peak cuurent) at right sitting on marble slab

Contact Centre Circle Audio, Ph: 03-77282686; Nelson Chia 012-2876807; Sky Wong 012-3371787