Calling all owners - Jasmine LP 2.0 MKII

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.

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.

I have the Jasmine LP SE and it is an excellent phono-stage. I use it with a Denon DLS1. Mine has none of the characteristics that you describe.

Mine has a huge sound stage and fine reproduction of intricate sound.

The sound will change dramatically with time. I left mine on for over two months straight after purchase. After more than 50 hrs of playing time, I noticed a huge difference. I own the 2.0 mk II. Next step up is a new power cord.

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.