Looking for a $500 or so phono preamp -- BC23 ?

I assume that everyone who intend to buy a 'new' (other)
phono-pre will do some search before he or she decide.
We are discussing pro and contra about some of those within
a peculiar price range. Nobody can force the other to buy
whatever. BTW the usual warranty on electronic gear is one
year. The usual experience is that those 'break' after
this period of time. While the Chinese also produce rockets
I don't believe that we need some rocket scientist to repair
our phono-pre. I even have the very bold intention to improve
the Jasmine by soldering with my professional
soldering iron two (exotic)capacitors somewhere.

Regards,

I have to admit I partially agree with Actusreus. I'm not as comfortable ordering something directly from China. I know they've come a long way and the quality is constantly improving, I still don't get that warm fuzzy feeling inside. In the back of my mind I would always have doubts about it's quality and longevity. I have chinese electronics, although automotive related in my store and I can tell you that the "self branded" bargain versions aren't usually in my experience the same quality as the products that are manufactured in China for popular companies where they are manufactured to the higher standards of those North American/European companies. There are exceptions, but as a rule I see it all the time. The cheap off shore (usually Asian) products are lowering our prices but at the the same time they are also lowering the overall quality, durability and reliability of most products. Again I'm not trying to offend anyone and the Chinese high end audio certainly seems to be higher quality that the general rule of thumb.
That said, Redglobe is correct in that I'm sure that there are great repair shops here who could repair or modify these units, but where do you start or for that matter stop. Where does it stop being a bargain? I simply don't have the knowledge of which internal parts need replaced or not.
For me, an average guy that enjoys audio products and mostly the music they produce I delegate that job to the manufacturers and pick the ones I like the sounds of. I don't always get it right and neither do they which makes these forums invaluable.
I wish I had the talent and ability to create these things myself. But I don't, so I can only listen and sometimes ask for the help of others who enjoy the same crazy hobby.

That said, even though I love a bargain I still don't get that warm fuzzy feeling inside about many offshore products.
If I can find a comparable Canadian, US, British or other European product for a little bit more money I generally feel better about it in virtually every respect.

Nandric, Please let me know your experience with the Jasmine. I believe you can send an email directly to me through member lookup.

Redglobe, I am curious myself. First about my first 'Chinese', second about the import duty (32% in Holland). Alas there is no member lookup anymore.

Regards,

Jolida JD9T.

This $450 list unit gives you lots of bang for your buck--low noise, wide bandwidth, speed, natural timbres, micro and macro dynamics, and the flexibility to dial in the ideal load and gain level for your cartridge.

It is also easy and relatively inexpensive to modify at various levels and intensities--tube rolling, upgraded op-amps, and/or upgraded capacitors plus increased enclosure damping and aftermarket footers.

I have NOS 5751 tubes in mine with Herbies tube dampers, situated on a set of Vibrapods, and powered through a Zu BoK power cord. Contemplating upgrading the opamps, which is a plug-in swap.

I've been too happy with it for the past year-and-a-half to want to care about getting around to the opamp swap.