Mordante, I agree on the phono upgrade. However, don't dismiss the Jasmine without first upgrading the output capacitors. This elevates the Jasmine to another level.
The proof of good equipment down the sound-reproduction chain is whether you can easily detect subtle changes in the first or preceding links (in this case the TT, cartridge, VTA, azimuth, clamps, tonearm). With my modified Jasmine, I can detect modifications in all of these things.
"Subtle changes" include hearing the plucking of strings of violins, the timber of the voice, the more precise placement of musicians on the stage, the sonic aura of the performance room, the leading strike of the piano key, the pre-echo-bleed from the magnetic mastering tape that precedes the actual note (this is like reverse echo).
The proof of good equipment down the sound-reproduction chain is whether you can easily detect subtle changes in the first or preceding links (in this case the TT, cartridge, VTA, azimuth, clamps, tonearm). With my modified Jasmine, I can detect modifications in all of these things.
"Subtle changes" include hearing the plucking of strings of violins, the timber of the voice, the more precise placement of musicians on the stage, the sonic aura of the performance room, the leading strike of the piano key, the pre-echo-bleed from the magnetic mastering tape that precedes the actual note (this is like reverse echo).