Calling all owners - Jasmine LP 2.0 MKII

[Roth_S]

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. Instead of a parts swap they apparently added parts since it has a hi-low switch installed on the rear.

[Doubleplay]

It will change, but enough?

I am not impressed either. Perhaps not quite as bad as you describe it, but it is definately not the cleanest sounding amp around IMO. I prefer my much cheaper Yaqin MS-11B, and both my Projects, Tube Box and Phonobox 2-SE.

[Roth_S]

If that wasn't enough, now I have a channel imbalance from the Jasmine; right ch. being softer than left. Sigh.

I opened up the case in the control unit and found some sloppy soldering. Not much else I could find so I closed it up. (Still balanced to the left channel.)

The spitty distortion has subsided quite a bit after I re-positioned the units as well as changing the tubes in my headphone amp.

I don't have a lot of hope that the imbalance will magically disappear but hearing how much this thing changes through break in, not much else would surprise me.

[airdronian]

I've had mine for around 4 months now. They do take some time to run in.

I read a review prior to purchase that mentioned it needed some break in time ( http://dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=308 ) and other postings that recommended upgrading the power cable.

My unit had a noticeable dryness to vocals and mids for a while, it did smooth out, which was welcome. I'm happy with the unit now, and look forward to trying it with a LOMC when that time comes.

[Roth_S]

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. I can finally hear how good is my B&O MMC2 cartridge. Soundsmith- re-tipped (ruby + line contact) DL-103R is coming soon.

[airdronian]

Good to hear things have worked out. Thanks for the update.

[tomytoons]

I have had mine for over 6 months. It was used so I presume broken in by this time.
It is an extremely nice Phono Pre a far as I'm concerned. It does deserve good cables.
I had used it with a Denon DL103R it was very nice on the MC side with the 60 db of gain it worked fine sounded great, although I have heard a Bob's Devices Step Up is even better, BTW Bob uses the Jasmine in his set up.

Roth good to hear you fixed things!!

[waynefi]

Where does one buy Jasmine ?

[Alec124c41]

Here:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Jasmine-LP2-0MKI ... 4d00460ed0

I have seen it in a store for $1200.

Cheers,
Alec

[waynefi]

Thanks

[Roth_S]

For any future Jasmine owners or current owners following this thread:

I have since upgraded the Jasmine. I replaced the umbilical with Jasmine's own upgraded (blue) cable between the main preamp and power supply. The PS capacitance has been doubled, using 2200uf (Nichicon KA) per channel and bypassed with Vishay MKP-1837. In the preamp box, I doubled the existing 2200uf per channel w/the same Jamicons and bypassed with MKP-1837's. I replaced the output coupling caps (originally Solen 1.0uf) in the preamp with Robert Hovland Supercaps (1.0uf). This last change opened up the top octave (or "air") and helped in midrange articulation. The input signal wires were changed to solid silver wires. All other small wires are changed to very high purity solid copper.

Overall, the Jasmine lost a little "haze", smooth as it was, and increased its sense of dynamics and liveliness. More grip and authority is present. Image placement was wonderful before; now it lends each instrument/vocalist a fuller, rounder sense of location in its own acoustic as well as a more precise relationship to other entities. The dynamics increase is largely attributable to adding the Nichicon KA capacitors. They are very smooth and natural yet seem very "bassy" but articulate and tight. I love them. My "new" Jasmine is a phono preamp I am extremely happy with and do not care to try SUT's on. It sounds remarkably complete and satisfying as is. (Cartridges: Music Maker MkIII, B&O MMC2, AT33PTG/II and my best, favorite of all - Stanton 981 LZS. I love it so much I just purchased another NOS.)

Kids - do your mods! This Jasmine will amaze even more.

Steve

[No disc]

I've have the Jasmine MKII for a few months now. Recently compared it to the Ray Samules Nightwawk, and then with the RCM Prelude. The Jasmine was better than the Nighthawk, but not as good as the RCM Prelude. Granted the Prelude was 5 x the cost. I'm told that the MC gain section of the Jasmine is not as good as the MM. I'd like to see if the Jasmine can approach or surpass the RCM. Today I picked up a Bob's Devices CineMag 1131 (Blue) Transformer (MC) Step-Up Device and running the Jasmine using the MM section. I'll report back in a few days after the 1131 is broken in.

[No disc]

Hi Steve,

What kind of cost to do those upgrades? Did you do them yourself?

For any future Jasmine owners or current owners following this thread:

I have since upgraded the Jasmine. I replaced the umbilical with Jasmine's own upgraded (blue) cable between the main preamp and power supply. The PS capacitance has been doubled, using 2200uf (Nichicon KA) per channel and bypassed with Vishay MKP-1837. In the preamp box, I doubled the existing 2200uf per channel w/the same Jamicons and bypassed with MKP-1837's. I replaced the output coupling caps (originally Solen 1.0uf) in the preamp with Robert Hovland Supercaps (1.0uf). This last change opened up the top octave (or "air") and helped in midrange articulation. The input signal wires were changed to solid silver
wires. All other small wires are changed to very high purity solid copper.

Overall, the Jasmine lost a little "haze", smooth as it was, and increased its sense of dynamics and liveliness. More grip and authority is present. Image placement was wonderful before; now it lends each instrument/vocalist a fuller, rounder sense of location in its own acoustic as well as a more precise relationship to other entities. The dynamics increase is largely attributable to adding the Nichicon KA capacitors. They are very smooth and natural yet seem very "bassy" but articulate and tight. I love them. My "new" Jasmine is a phono preamp I am extremely happy with and do not care to try SUT's on. It sounds remarkably complete and satisfying as is. (Cartridges: Music Maker MkIII, B&O MMC2, AT33PTG/II and my best, favorite of all - Stanton 981 LZS. I love it so much I just purchased another NOS.)

Kids - do your mods! This Jasmine will amaze even more.

Steve

[Roth_S]

Just a correction to the mods I listed: the PS capacitors added were not 2200uf (x2) - they are 4700uf, 35V Nichicon KA.

I have since bought a Denon DL-S1 and tried using SUT's but still prefer going straight into the MC inputs, sans SUT's. I have tried Bob's devices 1131 Blue and Dynavector DV-6A. Without the SUT's I get slightly higher noise but a veil is lifted and is more immediate, dynamic and realistic sounding...to these ears. With the SUT's PRaT suffers.