Calling all owners - Jasmine LP 2.0 MKII


I've got about 4 full day's use on mine but do not like what I hear.

Question: How dramatically does this phono preamp change throughout break-in?

I hear distortion (spittiness and splashy bass as if it is running out of power) and a flat soundstage.

I am using the stock power cord and umbilical.

I compared it to my other three phono preamps - Hagerman Bugle, V-LPS, Biotronics Control Systems Gestalt (outstanding and extremely rare). They all are much clearer and cleaner.

It must be mentioned that I requested the Ebay seller to provide a reduction in global gain since I have loads of it with my Project Sunrise II headphone amp. They added a switch on the rear that cuts gain by about 5 dB.
roth_s

Showing 5 responses by roth_s

@Sbrownnw and others wishing to dim the bright logos - I found a much better way.

Print out a rectangle of black you create with Excel, MS Paint, whatever just to get a printout of black sized 1" x 2 1/2".

Open the case bottom plate, remove the face plate and use office tape to fasten the black paper you created WHITE SIDE FACE OUT so you see the white side once assembled.

I suggest you print out two or three pieces in various shades of black/gray and try out each in a dark room to get what you like.
While I continue to hear the unit breaking in, I think I may have found the problem. It appears to have been a few things.

1. I have moved the units around a bit. Previously they were side by side and about 3/4-inch apart. I have since flipped them left-to-right and separated 7 inches. Noise level has dropped noticeably. Current left-to-right arrangement: Control unit, Power supply, Turntable.

2. I have been swapping tubes on the Sunrise headphone amp and have possibly addressed the rest of the problems. I believe the (tested) 1956 GE W5751 was the main culprit, along with a Sylvania JAN 5751.

I was concerned that I did obtain a bad one (from Ebayer Salience_Shop aka Salience HIFI Audio) since I have no prior experience buying high end Chinese gear through Ebay.

The only difference I hear between the two switch positions is the expected gain reduction and slightly reserved or constrained dynamics. Otherwise, the distortion remained common.

I have heard some pretty obvious changes along the way and now it sounds much smoother and better definition, reduction in distortion. It continues to expand frequency response (ie digging deeper and improving the top octave) while macro dynamics improve. It still is somewhat constricted in this area.

The only concern I have at this point is the switch they added: if wiggled or lightly bumped, the sound cuts out both channels.

I appreciate the participation.
Thank you Audiogabby for answering my question. I needed to know what other owners have experienced through the break in period.

I am sure I will upgrade the power cord and maybe the umbilical over time.

Comforting to hear owners are thrilled with the Jasmine. I also have a very rare Biotronics Control Systems Gestalt phono preamp. It betters the Jasmine so far.
UPDATE on the issues I describe above:

The issue was not the fault of the Jasmine. It was several different tubes I was trying in my main amplifier. Cryo'd Russian tube, a few old stock GE's, Sylvania's. A very nasty streak of bad luck. The upshot is the Jasmine reveals all.

I have had a few supreme listening experiences since straightening out the problems. The Jasmine is very balanced, quiet, and refined. No need to upgrade to a different phono pre but I am sure I will try some modifications at some point. Right now I am really enjoying the sound.

@Sbrownnw: To kill the extremely bright logos, you need to remove the bottom panel. That will liberate the front acrylic face plate which the logo is printed on. Use a black wide-tip permanent marker and "black out" a strip of clear, satin finish office tape and apply it over the logo. Repeat to put a second strip over that. Assemble the Jasmine.
Can someone measure the actual voltage out from the power supply unit? I am still running into troubles and I believe the 21.8V I measure may be a contributing factor. I've had to replace the entire phono main board due to a failed MC section left channel. Long story. So I have yet to replace caps, etc.

I have been having troubles from day one, as seen from my earlier posts. The issues I thought were caused by other things may have been the Jasmine all along.