Any thoughts on the Jasmine 2.0SE phono pre?

etcarroll · « **on:** 1 Dec 2010, 01:41 am »

After 9 months of acquiring pieces, and tweaking, I think I have my system set for cd and SACD playback.

Vinyl is another matter. I think the weak point is the TC 760lc pre. There is no 'body' to my vinyl sound. All the signal/info is reproduced, but it's thin, sterile and non-engaging. The equipment is in my profile.

So I was thinking of a tubed phono pre, instead I bought a Purity One pre. This still leaves me with the ss phono pre.

While researching the Nighthawk, I found lots of forum chatter comparing the Nighthawk to the Jasmine, with the Jasmine being a few hundred $ cheaper, and open to upgrades.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue24/jasminelp2.htm

Wonder if any AC users are familiar with the Jasmine?

Gene

Gopher · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 03:41 am »

It is an outstanding piece. I don't know why it flies under the radar, but it is truly exceptional and can be purchased significantly cheaper then its list price.

I've owned some good performers for the range, Eastern Electric Minimax, Nighthawk, Rogue Stealth, Black cube, Dynavector's phono in PE mode--The Jasmine is on another level.

BaMorin · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 09:21 pm »

First up, I couldn't find what your system was under your profile.
Second, the preamp should add no sonic signature of its own.
Its job is to amplify a small signal as exactly as it can to a higher signal for the amplifier to use. I'm thinking you're trying to spend money in the wrong places if you want a fuller bodied sound.

etcarroll · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 09:50 pm »

I always assumed you click a person's name and be brought to the system profile, guess not. Look under systems->E-> Amish 2 channel system,

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=systems;area=browse;system=1402

Gopher · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 09:58 pm »

I respectfully disagree with your opinion. ETA has identified specific areas he'd like to improve upon sound contrasted with what he's already hearing. He's not on a blanket quest for neutrality, he's looking for harmonic development, timing and a more organic sound.

I found myself in a similar predicament with my phono sounding sterile and a bit lifeless and juggled a ton of cartridges trying to cure it(440mla, 501mk2, Nagoaka MP-500, Koetsu RS, Soundsmith The Voice, Zu 103, 103D). Ultimately, changing phono preamplifiers to the Jasmine gave me exactly what I was looking for.

I'm not saying its a fat, euphonic, syrupy sound, I'm saying its very natural organic and has body.

neobop · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 10:01 pm »

Just click on the little blue systems thingy under the poster's name on the left. Then click again on the picture.

Have you used this combo of Dp-52 and Ortofon cart before, with better results?

neo

etcarroll · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 10:13 pm »

Bought the DP-52 pre marriage, around 1982. Ran 2 Denon DL-301s in it, that's the only sound I know. The second one seems to have no diamond left, so bought the Ortofon to try something else, it has less than 100 hours, probably less than 50. The pre I bought from someone on AC, drphoto I think, new, a few months back.

I may put the Denon DL-301 back in briefly to compare the sound.

writeface · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 10:17 pm »

I am looking to upgrade my phono too (from Project Phono box SE). While I searched for Jasmine I came across Nighthawk. I am more inclined to buy nighthawk.

I am planning to use it with my nottingham SpaceDeck running Aurum Classics MM cart.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 10:23 pm »

Another to consider....the Vista-Audio phono preamplifier ....

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 10:28 pm »

etcarroll,

I've yet to hear a truly superb phono stage that WASN'T fully dual mono. I've tried, mightily, but keep coming back with the same conclusion year after year....that improving your vinyl front end means moving to dual mono (whatever it is - tube of SS)

Stereo separation with vinyl is poor relative to digital....preserving the delicate stereo separation with two fully distinct transmission lines for each channel is a serious jump in bettering your current set up

One modest way of achieving it is already in your possession....buy another TC-760LC and use one for each channel. Improving it from there would require you ditching the cheapie wall warts and getting something of higher amperage and fully regulated.

Regulated 12v power supplies (that is, with a proper transformer...not the cheap switching power supply that may have come with your original TC760LC) typically cost under $30 on ebay (Radio Shack units abound...just make sure you buy two of the same model # and amperage for best matching)

You're about $150 away from vastly improving your vinyl front end with another TC760LC and a couple regulated power supplies

Ciao, John

etcarroll · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 10:31 pm »

Thanks John, but I'm using the PE regulated PS already.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 10:39 pm »

Quote from: etcarroll on 1 Dec 2010, 10:31 pm

Thanks John, but I'm using the PE regulated PS already.

Forgot about that little PE regulated power supply...it was always priced great, too

(was it switchable, too?)

Well, buy another TC760LC and another PE regulated power supply.....for only $100.00 more you'll enjoy improved tunes. You might still find things 'sterile' (you can only do so much at the price point), but you will satisfied yourself that anything but fully dual mono is likely somewhat of a step sideways, rather than the leap forward you are hoping for.

Moving to tube phono stage will always lift you out of 'sterile' sound....but I find most solid state, and especially dual mono, to be more than okay with vinyl. With digital, a wee tube magic seems to wash away what's missing in those samples...but for vinyl, SS works well and is quieter, too.

John

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #12 on:** 2 Dec 2010, 12:29 am »

I haven't compared the Jasmine to many phono pre's, but fwiw the two I have compared it with would be considered high end, relatively speaking of course, and the Jasmine pipped them both - a Manley Steelhead and a Counterpoint SA-9. My set up has undergone quite an evolution over the last couple of years which has led me to DIY pretty much everything except for speakers and now the Jasmine phono pre. I won't try and DIY something if I can't build it for less then something comparable on the used market. I'm not aware of any DIY project, including the Pass project, that could touch the performance and build quality of the Jasmine for its asking price.

etcarroll · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 Dec 2010, 02:15 am »

t. o. -

Thanks, I'm really leaning this way, especially as it can be upgraded as time and money allows, I'm not afraid to take a soldering iron to my gear.

By the way, the 'Kids In The Hall' is vastly under-rated in my opinion.

writeface · « **Reply #14 on:** 2 Dec 2010, 02:55 am »

There is one in audiogon for 550.

Gopher · « **Reply #15 on:** 9 Dec 2010, 05:40 am »

Have any Jasmine owners used a MM/MI cartridge with their phono pres? I adore the sound I get from Zu 103 prime into the Jasmine, but all the glow over people using cinemag SUTs into the Jasmine has piqued my curiosity.

Given the expense of an SUT and another IC, I'm wondering if simply using a higher output cartridge to need less gain could unleash the magic. Perhaps down the line when my Zu is worn and my 103D backup is tiring, revisiting a Soundsmith The Voice would yield magic.

neobop · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 Dec 2010, 04:31 pm »

That Jasmine is a fascinating piece. Lots of testimonials on the net. Looks like it has a ton of gain. 50dB MM and 70dB MC. With that kind of gain they should put a volume control on - use it w/o line stage.
http://www.jasmineaudio.net/lp2.html#

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=vinyl&m=940482

rklein · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Dec 2010, 05:44 pm »

I was using a Mapletree Audio Ultra 4A SE preamp which had a phono stage. I just received a a NS-60 SE amp along with a Beacon III pre from Blair at Nightshade and was in the market for a phono stage. My Jasmine 2.0SE should arrive today

Can't wait to try it out! I currently have Empire 598 TT with an AT440MLa cartridge.

Randy

etcarroll · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Dec 2010, 12:17 pm »

Randy -

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

Gene

Gopher · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Dec 2010, 12:52 am »

looks like there is a new, updated Jasmine that JUST came out.

Per the distributer, it is not a meaningful upgrade though:

Dear gopher_2k,

There are two major change.
One is that old integrated RCA terminals are changed to independent better RCA terminals, then there is more space between the terminals for letting audiophile to connect thicker signal cable.

Two is that some of the main capacitors are upgraded from +/-10% precision to +/-5%.

In my listen feeling, the basic properties of sound is no change, only the S/N ratio has a small range of improvement. This change can be measured with the instrument, but hard to be heard by ear. Except you own a pair of golden ear.

regards,

Michael