John Curl's Blowtorch preamplifier part II

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Now to compare the Para JC-2 to the CTC Blowtorch (both designed by the same people).
Some differences:
CTC Blowtorch: ALL Aluminum box
Para JC-2: Mostly Aluminum box
CTC Blowtorch: No global negative feedback
Para JC-2: Lots of global negative feedback
CTC Blowtorch: Simple tru-path
Para JC-2: More stages
CTC Blowtorch: Shallco silver-on-silver switches
Para JC-2: Sealed gold-on-gold relays
CTC Blowtorch: TKD super pots
Para JC-2: Alps motor controlled quad pot array
CTC Blowtorch: All AC outside the control box
Para JC-2: Partitioning and heavy internal shielding

Some similarities:
Similar high speed rectifier diodes
Same power supply bypass caps
Same input devices and configuration
Same output devices
Same connectors

I'm sure that I can think of more, but that should show the essential similarities and differences.
 
I hope that this simplified schematic will better explain the JC-80 and the Para JC-2 topology.
 

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My preamp is just fine. The Switches are designed to last 'forever' but it might be recommended to switch them 'back-and-forth' once in a while. The TKD pots actually have given us some problems over the years.

Have you compared the Shallco with Elma switches? Would be interesting to read your comments. I had problems with the Elma switches producing spatter (long term use) when they are used in sea area.
 
One of the reasons that we created a non-ventilated almost seamless case for the Blowtorch was to keep not only dust out, but anything else that the air might carry.
You have to look at a Shallco switch carefully and note how different it is from the typical Elma, but even so, exposure to salts or sulfides (from cooking, etc) would certainly attack the switch contacts. In these conditions, I think that relays are better.
 
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Jack Bybee endorsement?

I got an e-mail this morning that reputes to be from Jack Bybee (Actually from Doug Hall) that reads like a sales pitch for Viagra. It was pitching this http://www.improveaudio.com./vault/pdfs/acoustic-energizer-flyer-2012.pdf

The celebrity endorsement falls flat and the device comes off as snake oil squared in the pitch since there is nothing to connect "Acoustic Energizer works by the Theory of Quantum Physics whereby a PVA (Proton Vibration Alignment) field is created to enable the smooth and effective transmission of sound, providing excellent acoustic conditions to render stronger resonance, richer harmonics and fuller nuances." with anything in the real world. This is the fast way to destroy any credibility Jack may have had.

I would think Proton Vibration Alignment could have serious detrimental effects on humans near such an event. it sounds pretty nuclear. . .

And what is a Protonic Battery? Most objects with excess protons can be pretty dangerous.
 
I got an e-mail this morning that reputes to be from Jack Bybee (Actually from Doug Hall) that reads like a sales pitch for Viagra. It was pitching this http://www.improveaudio.com./vault/pdfs/acoustic-energizer-flyer-2012.pdf

The celebrity endorsement falls flat and the device comes off as snake oil squared in the pitch since there is nothing to connect "Acoustic Energizer works by the Theory of Quantum Physics whereby a PVA (Proton Vibration Alignment) field is created to enable the smooth and effective transmission of sound, providing excellent acoustic conditions to render stronger resonance, richer harmonics and fuller nuances." with anything in the real world. This is the fast way to destroy any credibility Jack may have had.

I would think Proton Vibration Alignment could have serious detrimental effects on humans near such an event. it sounds pretty nuclear. . .

And what is a Protonic Battery? Most objects with excess protons can be pretty dangerous.

Check out the website.

It improves EVERYTHING (your heath, your car, your boat, EVERYTHING). They also have a video.

Proton Vibration Alignment :: IPC

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Demian, I am disappointed that you put that 'ad' up here, of something endorsed by Jack Bybee. It is true that Jack is fearless in his opinions and enthusiasms, but he is not alone with his subjective opinion on this new device.
Personally, I try to refrain from 'understanding' these devices. Having being 'burned' by criticism in past years for even stating my listening opinion, much less, my efforts to understand what the mechanism might be, that I try to avoid posting about 'exotic' things that Jack and I sometimes talk about, on this thread.
I have never heard this new device, but I am told, and not just by Jack, that it really works. Why it works, even baffles Jack, I think.
 
There's nothing so stupid that you can't find audiophiles who will believe it and vociferously defend it.

Demian, I am disappointed that you put that 'ad' up here, of something endorsed by Jack Bybee. It is true that Jack is fearless in his opinions and enthusiasms, but he is not alone with his subjective opinion on this new device.
Personally, I try to refrain from 'understanding' these devices. Having being 'burned' by criticism in past years for even stating my listening opinion, much less, my efforts to understand what the mechanism might be, that I try to avoid posting about 'exotic' things that Jack and I sometimes talk about, on this thread.
I have never heard this new device, but I am told, and not just by Jack, that it really works. Why it works, even baffles Jack, I think.

QED.

Jack needs to get cracking on the femtotechnology. Those quarks aren't going to align themselves!
 
I just spoke to Jack about this device. He also says that the 'advertising' around this device is 'ridiculous', and that if he had visited the website, before even trying it, he would not have let it in the house. Still, both he and my associate, Mike, are enthusiastic about what this device DOES for sound quality, so I will continue to keep an 'open-mind' on it.
Personally, today, I really don't like to play around with stuff that I can't easily understand, as I don't have the money to buy it, even to try it, and I get so much criticism for even trying it, in the first place.
 
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