Jasmine Audio "DRAGON" MC Cartridge B&W Ceramic Series

The use of blue and white porcelain in the cartridge is a selection derived from both Chinese culture and acoustic characteristics. We carefully selected more than 10 kinds of porcelain from a number of Chinese porcelain, and compared and examined the sound quality test, we judged that the best quality of the sound and the blue and white porcelain with the density of the material is close to aluminum.

The "Dragon," "Bird," "Tiger," and "Turtle" emblazoned on the body symbolizes "guardian," "good luck," "power," and "longevity."

All cartridges are assembled carefully by hand by skilled engineers.

The performance of the cartridge depends mainly on the complex elements such as:

1. Processing resonances during tracking

If the resonance that occurs during the tracking of the stylus is not adequately attenuated or absorbed, the vibration is reflected in the stylus through the cantilever, which prevents the original movement of the stylus. This is a major cause of sound quality deterioration.

In order to address this problem, Jasmine uses appropriate materials and structural designs to set the price according to the performance of each cartridge and to achieve a vibration-proof effect corresponding to it.
Therefore, the higher the price of the cartridge, the more effectively the effect of resonance on the body and structural components can be eliminated, and the higher the sound quality is achieved.

2. Selection of suspension tension and damping rigidity

Different cantilever materials change the tension of the suspension and the characteristics of the dumping gasket, so individual adjustments are essential for optimal dynamic response. These elements are also important indicators for determining the resonant frequency of the stylus.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that the stylus traces the signal in the record groove quickly and accurately while ensuring proper needle pressure so that it does not cause unnecessary resonance in the 20Hz to 20kHz audio frequency band.

3. Cantilever length selection

The length of the cantilever is an important element directly related to the resonance frequency of the entire structure and the response speed of the stylus.

4. Selection of coil winding and coil material

These elements also affect the internal resistance, inductance value, and output level of the cartridge.

5. Selection of magnets and magnetic circuit design

Magnetic flux is different depending on the type of magnet. Using magnets with strong magnetic flux, you can get enough output even if you reduce the number of coils. On the other hand, if the magnetic flux is weak, the number of coils must be increased to ensure output.

6. Choosing a stylus chip structure

When the shape of the stylus tip is different, the contact surface with the groove of the record board changes, which greatly affects the resolution of the sound. The higher the shape of the chip, the more accurate the trace of the sound groove information, the more delicate and information-rich sound.
In general, the performance of the stylus shape is improved in the order of cones < oval < line contact < superior line < micro ridge.

Jasmine cartridges are designed and manufactured with optimal combinations based on the six factors mentioned so far, taking into account the overall balance between price, performance and function.

Solid Boron Cantilever and Micro Ridge Diamond Stylus

The Dragon MC cartridge is a flagship model of Jasmine's B&W porcelain cartridge series, a MC cartridge that combines resolution and musical expressiveness polished to the extreme.

The combination of a natural diamond stylus with a micro-ridge shape and a solid bolon cantilever with high rigidity and high responsiveness makes it a precise trace even to the slightest fluctuation of the sound groove. As a result, the nuances and air feeling of fine sounds emerge three-dimensionally, creating a sense of realism as if music is alive.

The channel separation is more than 30dB and the channel balance is less than 0.5dB, with a high precision design, the localization is very clear, each instrument is precisely placed in the vast sound stage.
While the output level is slightly lower than the 0.28mV, it is superior to the SN ratio, and the sound image emerging in silence is clear, making you feel the depth and transparency of the space.

The frequency characteristics are very flat from 20Hz to 20kHz ± 1dB. The low area is subducted deep but does not excessively swell, maintaining a cored sound. The medium area is thick and dense, the texture of the vocals and strings is vivid, the high range is silky smooth, the delicate overtones spread fluffily.

Dragon is not just a tool to play sound exactly. The air, emotion, and tension contained in the recordings - a cartridge for the revival of art that even captures the "signs" of such music.

Efficient resonance suppression and responsive suspension structure

By thoroughly eliminating resonance and precise optimization of the cantilever suspension mechanism, the sensitivity and traceability of the stylus are greatly enhanced. This enables a very clear and transparent sound field to expand, reproducing even fine nuances without excess. It delivers a truly high-end listener-worthy sound performance that brilliantly depicts the texture and air of music.

Blue porcelain body, oriental musicality

Blue and white porcelain incorporates Chinese traditional culture into the design, combining visual beauty with acoustic performance in high dimensions. It is the ideal harmony between audio and visual that appeals to the viewer's sensibility and fascinates the listener's ear.

Jasmine's MC cartridge, B&W Porcelain series is the company's high-end series. This time I bought a white tiger using a sapphire for cantilever and a shivata needle for stylus. This series has four models, Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Suzaku, Genbu, Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Sapphire, Suzaku, Aluminum, Genbu, and Aluminum Pipe. The body is a Setomono with a naked vibration system inside. It's a very tight sound. As the Porcelain series can be guessed from the shape, it is designed with considerable restraint and the sound feels amazing. What we can say in common with Jasmine's products is surprised by the sound that far exceeds expectations for price. * Bakoon Products Nagai