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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
lewm
12,994 posts
 
The obvious question is, are you listening to it with or without that switch in play? If it sounds bad with the switch in play, have you tried the other switch position? Is there any difference at all in sound quality, with vs without the "gain reduction" circuit switched on?
bobsdevices
100 posts
 
I own one and my best friend also owns one. We love them. I have been through many phono preamps, each time upgrading, and this time I moved up from a KRELL KPE. He moved up from a GCPH. We both thought the Jasmine was not just a little better, but a lot better. Neither of us asked for a gain reduction switch, we just have the stock unit. He has the 2.0SI and I have 2.0 MKII. No noticable sound difference between them. It is so good that i use it for a demo phono stage at audio shows. Maybe you got a bad one.
roth_s OP
11 posts
 
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.
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