In October, we started handling the Chinese audio brand Jasmine Jasmine Audio.
Jasmine Audio is an award-winning pure audio brand founded in China in 2001 by avid audiophiles. The meticulously crafted components are carefully assembled by hand by experienced and qualified engineers. This is an official brand introduction (abbreviated), but the products we ordered are actually very well made, so I would like to introduce them with the great cooperation of Mr. Nagai, the representative of Bakun Products.
Jasmine Audio is developing everything from cartridges to turntables and phono equalizers for listening to records, but the turntables are also belt drives only. The photo shows the T-D200MK2. It is double-arm compatible. The build is also very decent. (Naturally)
The following are the jasmine products that I was given to Bakun Products.
TT-D200MK2 Belt Drive Turntable (Currently being remodeled to a new model)
JS-TAAB Air Bearing Tonearm
JS-TB297 12" Dynamic Balanced Tonearm
MC Cartridge B&W Ceramic Series "TIGER"
MC Cartridge Nature Series Forest
MM Cartridge Series - M1
About Belt Drive Turntable TT-D200MK2
We have received a report on the setup of the belt-driven TT-D200MK2 turntable.
The platter, which weighs 8 kilograms, floats with a powerful magnet and runs very smoothly.
But
The platter is shaking), and the magnet is powerful and does not sink completely, and it is temporarily resolved with a stabilizer of about 1 kg.
After that, I followed Jasmine's instructions, cleaned the hole in the bearing with oil, and injected oil to eliminate the phenomenon. However, be careful not to add too much oil, as it will overflow and ooze out for a while.
This turntable was the last product in the manufacturer's stock, and for some reason it was not packed in a special case, and I think that the fact that it was sent to me with ready-made products was not a little affected. In fact, when I contacted the manufacturer, it seems that it was a symptom that has never existed in the past, so I think that this problem will not occur if it is packaged in a special package in the future.
The actual product has a very beautiful finish. The turntable is double-arm compatible, but the second one requires an optional protruding base, and it should be much easier to set up if there is a separate pedestal for the tonearm. (Mr. Nagai's hardships will come later)
By the way, it seems that the operation after solving the problem was also a performance that exceeded Mr. Nagai's prediction of Bakun Products diagonally (happy lol), and with this much performance, this price was not available in Japan first, and it was very highly evaluated! !!
We promised that the points of caution and corrections pointed out by Mr. Nagai would be corrected directly by the person in charge of Jasmine Audio. Jasmine responds very quickly to problems, so I feel that she has a high level of awareness.
We asked Mr. Nagai to share his impressions of the TT-D200MK2 over the past two months below.
I think the performance as a turntable is excellent. The platter floats about 8 mm with a magnet installed around the shaft. I think it's the same principle as the Magnefloat that TEAC commercialized a long time ago, but I think it contributes greatly to smooth rotation and vibration prevention. However, the individual I used had a problem that resonance occurred with the Magne float and the belt drive, and up and down vibration occurred during regeneration, but when oil was injected into the bearing, it no longer vibrated. Since the platter is floating with a magnet, if you put a heavy stabilizer on it, the platter will sink and the height of the arm will change. In addition, the record is supported by six points on the platter, and this support floats slightly from the platter, so when the stabilizer is placed on it, the record warps on the contrary. It is better not to use a stabilizer with this product, or to use a light one. The arm is designed to be fitted with two arms: a conventional arm and the company's linear tracking arm. Conventional tonearm mounts come with a dedicated base, which can be attached as long as the pipe-based arm is the same diameter as the company's arm. If not, you will have to make the mounting base yourself. The base of the turntable seems to be a laminate of aluminum material. It weighs enough and looks good. The base is supported by three rubber feet with bolts, which are screwed to the bottom to adjust the height. The rubber feet are as hard as ordinary rubber, so there is no vibration absorption here. When you walk on the floor, the needles fly and noise enters. However, since the platter is floating with magnets, feedback does not seem to occur. The motor is 33 It has two speeds, 1/3 and 45 rpm, but the variable range is wide, and I was able to increase the rpm to 78 rpm even at 33 rpm. A stroboscope is required to adjust the speed, and now that the lighting has changed from fluorescent lamps to LEDs, a dedicated fluorescent lamp stand that flashes at commercial frequencies is required. Unfortunately, the power cable of the motor comes out from the front, and it is troublesome to handle the cable, so I wanted it to be on the rear side. The sound was of high-end quality, and the enthusiasts who came to listen to it seemed to be very surprised. For a turntable that can be purchased at this price, it has a very high quality. A certain amount of knowledge is required to use it, such as attaching the arm and adjusting the rotation speed, so it is not recommended for beginners.
This jasmine belt drive turntable is currently being remodeled with the opinions of our shop and Mr. Nagai of Bakun (image below). Fast to act!! However, I don't think it will have a strobe.
TT-D200MK2Linear Tracking Arm
When installing JS-TAAB, the usualThere was only enough space to combine two bases on the base of the tonearm and somehow attach it, and Mr. Nagai seems to have had a lot of trouble.
After the installation is finally completed, the following is a description of Mr. Nagai's difficulties in setting up. 『The level of the base was adjusted as precisely as possible with a level. Fix the position of the arm so that the needle tip of the cartridge is in the center of the shaft of the turntable, and apply a needle pressure of 2 g with a needle pressure gauge. Since there were two weights, I tried to balance them in the center to make it easier to balance, but they didn't work well. I thought the air pressure was not enough, so I raised it to the maximum, but it still flew away. When I looked at the manual, I noticed that only one balance weight was used. If you use one weight, the DL-103 can barely achieve zero balance. So I played it and it worked." It seems that it was very difficult to do so, but in conclusion, it seems that this phenomenon occurred because the adjustment range is limited with the linear tracking arm and the setting is not packed. Cartridges can also be installed in a wide range of 6~18g, and DL-103 should be able to afford one weight.
In fact, the installation photo from the manufacturer is set on the protruding pedestal, and Jasmine has already requested that this be enclosed with a specially adjusted protruding pedestal. And I've already received a CAD image of the rendering of the new pedestal! Get the job done!
This is my impression of the linear tracking arm, which is important.
"The sound of the pump is almost silent even if it is placed nearby. The sound to be played isAbsolutely unwavering sound you've never heard before。 It's not an easy-to-use arm,It is recommended for those who want the best sound.』
I didn't expect to receive such words from the representative of Bakun Products!
I think the amount is cheaper than the linear tracking arm on the market. If you are interested in this arm that Mr. Nagai has acclaimed, we are waiting for you!
When I asked Mr. Nagai to review the product again, he graciously gave me a long sentence. After all, it seems to be a "life" that adjusts to one or two. The secret of analog audio is that paradise awaits you beyond the strict setting.
ー JS-TABB is a linear tracking arm that uses air bearings, which is an ambitious product of Jasmine. The arm body and air pump are a set, and the pump sends high-pressure air to the air bearing, and the air bearing with the arm floats in the air to eliminate friction and realize linear tracking. With this tonearm, you can get a clearer sound with higher resolution, but the adjustment is more severe. If the adjustment is not done accurately, even the movement of the arm will be impossible. First, attach the cartridge to the arm to determine the position of the arm. Adjust the cartridge stylus so that it is centered on the turntable spindle. It can also be adjusted using the included jig. Connect the arm and pump with the supplied pipes. Switch on the pump and move the pump away from the pump noise. The noise of the pump is quiet, but if you listen in a quiet state, you will hear it slightly, so you will not be able to hear it if you are a few meters away. With the arm in the base position, make sure that the shaft of the air bearing is level. The level of this shaft is the most important factor in the normal operation of this arm, so it is precisely adjusted using a sensitive level. If the base of the turntable is level, it is fine, but if the level is even slightly off, it may not move, so the level of the shaft is precisely aligned. Even if you move the arm by hand, it will not move normally. The gap between the air bearing and the shaft is only 5 microns, so if you move it by hand or apply excessive force, it will come into contact. Therefore, when moving the arm by hand, be very careful not to apply excessive force. Next, apply needle pressure to the installed cartridge. A needle pressure gauge is required to apply needle pressure. It is a lateral balance, but this is because the weight does not have a needle pressure scale written on it. The next step is to lower the cartridge onto a stationary record and adjust the height of the arm using a commercially available fixture so that the cartridge is level. At this time, adjust the air pipe and signal cable connected to the arm and the main body in a pile as shown in the picture in the instruction manual. It is this cable and pipe that interfere with the movement of the air bearing. Therefore, the distance of the arm from the center of the turntable and the shape of the cable bend greatly affect the movement. These fine-tunes are available in theTry playing the record and adjust it so that one side can be played smoothly. So, it takes patience to make it work without problems. However, the quality of sound obtained from this arm is tremendous. It makes you forget about the time-consuming coordination hassle.
JS-TB297 12" Dynamic Balanced Tonearm
It is a high-end S-shaped long arm in Jasmine's tonearm series. Even though it is high-end, it is a middle-class price compared to domestic and Western products. If it weren't for the effects of the weak yen, it would be more reasonable.
This JS-TB297 is already becoming close to Bakun's reference, so we asked Mr. Nagai to share his impressions.
ーThis arm has a unique shape with the center offset to the right from the axis. Needle pressure pressurization is a dynamic balancing method that has another pressurization mechanism such as a spring instead of a weight. As it is written in the catalog, it seems that it has absorbed and inherited the essence of the best tonearm design so far. Therefore, there are many similarities to the famous tonearm. However, it is said that it has been realized to a higher level with jasmine technology and the latest precision processing technology and new materials. When you listen to it in combination with the company's turntable, the first thing you notice is a high-end sound. The clear, informative sound was praised by those who listened to it as if they were listening to digital high-resolution. In order to achieve this ability, it needs to be set up and adjusted, and a fixture to check the vertical and horizontal of the cartridge and a test record to adjust the anti-skating will be indispensable.
For this purpose, the turntable must be strictly leveled. Use the turntable's height adjustment mechanism to correctly adjust the X and Y with the level. The adjustment of the overhang, which determines the position of the arm, is provided with a special plastic jig, which can be adjusted. Secure the arm base to the mounting base of the turntable with two screws. However, although this screw has knurling, it is not designed to be used with a screwdriver or wrench, so it must be pinched and turned with your fingers to fix it. The surface is treated with pear ground, and it is slippery, so let's fix it firmly. Since it is a normal tonearm that pressurizes by turning it counterclockwise, I was initially confused by the JS-TB297, which is pressurized by turning it clockwise. The usable cartridge weighs 5~17g, but if you install a light cartridge like the company's M2, the balance weight will be very close to the center. In this case, it becomes difficult to turn the needle pressure pressure knob, and it is necessary to add weight to the cartridge. Then align the cartridge horizontally and vertically. Lower the cartridge with the appropriate needle pressure onto a stationary record, adjust the height of the arm to the level of the car ridge using a commercially available jig, and align it using a jig. For the vertical, loosen the screw that stops the shell connector on the arm and adjust the vertical tilt of the shell, but I think it is easier to match if you use a cartridge with a line indicating the vertical, such as DL-103. Lateral balance is a static balance, so I think it's a good idea to match it to the scale, but the inside force scanner is non-linear, so I'll use the third track of the B-side of the Audio Society test record or a dedicated acrylic test record. Apply the pressure of the needle to lower the needle between 9 cm and 12.5 cm from the center of the track and adjust it so that the cartridge does not flow left or right. Strictly speaking, this method is anti-skating, not inside-force cancellation, but it is less distorted if it is adjusted. There is a scale on the axis of the weight of the inside force scanner, but this is not reliable at all. Since it varies greatly depending on the cartridge, it is necessary to make adjustments using the above test records. When you make these adjustments and listen to it, you will get a high-end service with very clear and high resolution.You can listen to Undo.
For this purpose, the turntable must be strictly leveled. Use the turntable's height adjustment mechanism to correctly adjust the X and Y with the level. The adjustment of the overhang, which determines the position of the arm, is provided with a special plastic jig, which can be adjusted. Secure the arm base to the mounting base of the turntable with two screws. However, although this screw has knurling, it is not designed to be used with a screwdriver or wrench, so it must be pinched and turned with your fingers to fix it. The surface is treated with pear ground, and it is slippery, so let's fix it firmly. Since it is a normal tonearm that pressurizes by turning it counterclockwise, I was initially confused by the JS-TB297, which is pressurized by turning it clockwise. The usable cartridge weighs 5~17g, but if you install a light cartridge like the company's M2, the balance weight will be very close to the center. In this case, it becomes difficult to turn the needle pressure pressure knob, and it is necessary to add weight to the cartridge. Then align the cartridge horizontally and vertically. Lower the cartridge with the appropriate needle pressure onto a stationary record, adjust the height of the arm to the level of the car ridge using a commercially available jig, and align it using a jig. For the vertical, loosen the screw that stops the shell connector on the arm and adjust the vertical tilt of the shell, but I think it is easier to match if you use a cartridge with a line indicating the vertical, such as DL-103. Lateral balance is a static balance, so I think it's a good idea to match it to the scale, but the inside force scanner is non-linear, so I'll use the third track of the B-side of the Audio Society test record or a dedicated acrylic test record. Apply the pressure of the needle to lower the needle between 9 cm and 12.5 cm from the center of the track and adjust it so that the cartridge does not flow left or right. Strictly speaking, this method is anti-skating, not inside-force cancellation, but it is less distorted if it is adjusted. There is a scale on the axis of the weight of the inside force scanner, but this is not reliable at all. Since it varies greatly depending on the cartridge, it is necessary to make adjustments using the above test records. When you make these adjustments and listen to it, you will get a high-end service with very clear and high resolution.You can listen to Undo.
