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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
jaspert
157 posts
 
It is dead easy to tape off the bright front script by removing the front acrylic plate and cover it on the inside. I just did it few minutes ago to cover all the words except the letter J. I had modded mine with better caps and resistor, only use it as MM stage matched with Audio Techinca AT-700 SUT. It is very good this way.
sbrownnw
693 posts
 
Ok, no replies for my query of the Vincent PHO-8 vs the Jasmine, so the me phrase it another way. Has anyone compared the Vincent PHO-8 to other phono preamps that are mentioned in this thread that the Jasmine beat?
catama
81 posts
 
Sbrownw-

Been away, so I missed your post. Absolute Sound rated the Vincent very highly. It is included in their 2012 editor's choice awards. In their words, "its sound is liquid, the soundstage vivid and dimensional with just a hint of warmth and transient softness compared to reference efforts. You'll need a much bigger wallet to beat it."

Hope to hear the Jasmine one of these days.
roth_s OP
11 posts
 
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.
roth_s OP
11 posts
 
@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.
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