Excellent surprise - Mark Levinson JC2 circuit based advanced preamplifer review

I fell in love with this one by looking at the photos. This has no fake brandind, nor its a direct clone: but its based on famous John Curl design for Mark Levinson.
Dual mono, excellent build and sound - what can one want more?
As usual, if I forgot to mention something in the review, just ask me here in the comments!
You can get one ready made here:
www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...
You can also get this one as a DIY kit which was a surprise for me:
www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...

[@carlitomelon4610]

Glad to see these clone reviews. Yay, you mentioned the Musical Paradise MP701. I have the mk2. Mk3 is on preorder.... Hope you get one in!

[@Rocker6969]

Thank you so much for doing these reviews :)

[@k4syx]

@@Rocker6969 Thanks!

[@julioaperales1228]

Try the Weilliang MBL 6010c clone... I got mine fron ebay at about $400 and then changed op amps for Sparkos and sounds great... Has both RCA and XLR inputs and outputs and a remote control as well..

[@rontoolsie]

It looks like there are 14 op amps inside the 6010. Did you replace all of them? Because at roughly $80 each, this would take the final product well into the $1000+ range

[@net_news]

if they manage to create a balanced version this could be a killer preamp!!

[@rontoolsie]

There are versions of the JC2 on AliExpress that DO have balanced inputs and outputs.

[@net_news]

@@rontoolsie yeap I saw some of those but they lack a remote. Do you know a JC2 balanced with remote? If you do please let me know!! THANKS!!

[@Exgol2005]

Indeed!

[@foblivio]

Thank you for another great product review. How does it compare sonically with the single input JC2 Max you reviewed a few weeks back?

[@k4syx]

Thanks. This one is better, though its _more_ expensive and lacks XLR outputs. This one is like 2x more expensive, the first one is excellent but two times cheaper. Both of them punch way above price level!

[@Jason787]

Thankyou for another wonderful video. May i ask if i bought an amplifier from AliExpress and it was stated as 230v, should i expect 220v? Kimd regards

[@k4syx]

220V and 230V are both basically same build, you'll be fine with either. My measured power voltage is more like 240 and thats still fine.

[@clarkejones8090]

Yes. An excellent surprise. Interesting. I am looking forward to your upcoming videos/thoughts on/aboutthose products you mentioned including the SMSL DO 200 Pro.

[@k4syx]

The burn in for them is complete, I just need (again) to take a few days off for listening session and video recording. Thank you!

[@foblivio]

@@k4syxyou will, of course, compare the DO 200 Pro (as a preamp DAC) with the other AliExpress preamps! This is in addition to reviewing the SMSL purely as a DAC. Thanks!

[@k4syx]

@@foblivio surely, no problem!

[@IvicaMarusevic]

A few years ago I had a problem with the same ladder attenuator kit. It had a noise bump on one spot and also ground was shared on audio & control circuit...

[@k4syx]

Thanks, I'll look at shared ground. What was you solution to these problems?

[@IvicaMarusevic]

@@k4syx If you don't have a problem don't worry, it was VERY noticeable! I guess they issued an update in the mean time... I had to cut some of gnd trace on attenuator pcb

[@rukosody420]

Hi ,I would like to connect this Preamp to the 2 stereo power amps to have "vertical bi-amping" . One channel of the stereo amp would power treble and second channel for powering the base speaker of the same loud speaker. How to do that ?

[@k4syx]

So you basically need something like RCA splitter to have two RCA cables coming from preamp to both inputs on each power amp. You can get splitters like that for like 1USD on Ali or source them locally, they are quite popular.

[@rontoolsie]

@@k4syx Although electronically this would work, you should be careful if your power amps have low input impedances, since biamping them effectively reduces the load the preamp sees by 50%. For power amps with high input impedances than even cutting it in two still gives a high enough load. But amps with an input impedance of under 20kOhms may start to show roll-off of high frequencies and increased sensitivity to the length of the interconnects.

[@k4syx]

@@rontoolsie yes, exactly!

[@johnshaw359]

Looks good.

[@Rocker6969]

Is the FM 300A on its way ? That I'm looking forward to !!

[@k4syx]

I'm literally standing right now in line to get the parcel (delivery missed me on Friday)

[@Rocker6969]

@@k4syx rock and roll !!

[@NoMoreGrace]

I enjoyed this review. i'm currently looking at the Sugden A21 or FM 300A and some of the Pass Labs clone. appreciate your input on these. thanks in advance.

[@MasterofPlay7]

I have a fm300a clone I really like it

[@k4syx]

I need to collect parcel with FM300A - TODAY! ;)

[@MasterofPlay7]

@@k4syx is it the the standard or the gold version?

[@k4syx]

@@MasterofPlay7 look at the photo I've just posted. Looks like standard (copy with the same looks). I think both versions are gold :)

[@MasterofPlay7]

@@k4syx yea I saw, I think the gold version has 2 transformers

[@neokeeboon3325]

Another great video mate, would be nice if you could review some good value tube clones. Placed an order for a balanced Dart 108 & currently looking out for a balanced tube pre to go as I’m running a 6m long interconnect. Looking forward thks.

[@k4syx]

I am thinking about Musical Paradise tube but it seems from the number of views on my Cayin reviews that we tube lovers are in minority here :)

[@neokeeboon3325]

MP701 has already gotten numerous reviews & well received. However it’s not a truly balanced circuitry & I’m not courageous enough to go down that rabbit hole of infinite variabilities thus some chi-fi clones would be more ideal for tight budget. Something in the likes of CAT SL1 in my opinion, heard a genuine one decades back & it sounded really amazing but non XLR though or something you’d recommend. The tube community is still strong, it’s the chi-fi community that needs more awareness.

[@foblivio]

They should be displaying INn instead of CHn because “channel” usually refers to left or right. Oh well, it’s ChiFi so understandable.

[@carlitomelon4610]

Denafrips Hestia display shows IN1,2,3. Wish it was XLR1,SE2,XLR3 but now I'm nitpicking 😅

[@rontoolsie]

Very good build for the price...for instance the main R-core transformers each have two 15V 15VA windings, and are available on Ali for around $20 each...and there are two of them. Some other versions of the JC2 (including one that sells for $450) have much lower spec 7.5VA transformers which sell for only $9 each. Looking at all the JC2 versions, this appears to be the one to get. It may be tempting to buy the most expensive version, thinking that it will be the best built and best sounding, but this probably does not apply here. In the product description it erroneously says 'conrad-johnson' instead of "Mark Levinson'

[@k4syx]

Yes I got it based on the photos: they got my attention with such a nice and planned build. I just had to try it though I had no need for one more preamp ;) And yes they mention Conrad Johnson, looks like a paste from some other desc.

[@ferryvandijk3008]

Also, Xiangsheng 728A is interesting yes?

[@SartajAnand]

Awesome! Is it availbale on eBay by any chance? I see some JC2 clones there but don't have your eye for internals...

[@k4syx]

@@SartajAnand No idea honestly, but look at the characteristic four white mundorf capacitors on the photos, I can check if that's the right device for you if you'll give some links here

[@Reyfox1]

Question in general when ordering outside the country. Do you have to pay additional tax when the product arrives?

[@k4syx]

Customs, yes, sometimes you have to sometimes you dont, depends on the country and local law

[@Reyfox1]

@@k4syx do you know how much before purchasing?

[@rontoolsie]

The only thing the two channels electrically share is a common power cord. After that, it is effectively two completely separate mono preamps, housed inside the same chassis. Most preamps have only a single power transformer with the filter caps shared by both channels, which are put on a single PCB. Years ago, I had a home demo of a 4 box Krell preamp with each channel having separate boxes with their own separate power supplies. It was pretty good too.

[@k4syx]

@@Reyfox1 you can try to asses maximum amount by knowing the value on the parcel and customs tariffs, on most cases the actual amount will be lower

[@AllboroLCD]

Ive come across so many interesting clone amp boards on ebay, ive seen many folks assemble them and do videos on their quality. Id love to see someone who has the OG amp it was cloned from compare it DIRECTLY and get a realistic idea as to how close it might sound. Would love to see that.

[@k4syx]

@@AllboroLCD I think that's hard to see as diy folk rarely buy expensive branded amps, and the other way around: people buying very expensive audio stuff are not diyers so they won't usually even peek inside the cable they bought... :(

[@AllboroLCD]

​@@k4syx Totally understood. Theres a Jeff Rowland LM3886 amp & Pass Labs Aleph that most pique my curiosity. I mean if the circuits are 100% correct and enough power fed, The margin of difference will break down to the quality of components is my best guesstimate.

[@k4syx]

@@AllboroLCD exactly. Plus, pairing of the components - how well can you and will you match everything inside. All in all, these all are electronic circuits, no magic components there.

[@RobWhittlestone]

Hi k4syx - many many thanks for reviewing this preamp! I think I am in serious danger of ordering it! 😂 Your recommendation of the Transaudio D5 Pro was exactly what I was looking for and I suspect that pairing it with this preamp will satisfy my input needs. I never listen to headphones these days anyway so the lack of a second output for the headphone amp doesn't hurt. I love that it should be very detailed, dynamic, airy with deep bass. I trust your judgement, especially after my experience with the D5 Pro. You may remember that I will be replacing a 38 year old exposure XI+XII Preamp combination which is *_still_* *very good* but perhaps has been eclipsed by other designs and newer components. One question - do you have a suggestion for removing the silly gold-coloured "Coldmund" name plate? Warm air from a hairdryer perhaps? All black would suit my system aesthetics better. Greetings from rural Switzerland to Poland, All the best, Rob

[@k4syx]

Hi Rob! I would try to use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) and lift it from the sides as this is just a sticker :)

[@RobWhittlestone]

@@k4syx Hi! I have taken the plunge and bought one, it should arrive in about 2 weeks. I can't wait! My first new preamp in 38 years! Thanks for the tip about isopropyl alcohol! What's your burn-in process for a preamp? All the best, Rob in Switzerland

[@k4syx]

@@RobWhittlestone Hi! It usually takes about two weeks in a row. One week should be probably enough but since I don't always have the time to listen to the device it usually stretches a bit ;) I leave everything on playing some test tracks with speakers facing each other and with one out of phase to make them quieter. I've made a video on speaker burn in, that's basically the same. I also have dummy 8ohm loads for amps, but these do not change with freq like real speakers do so I'm not using them now

[@ferryvandijk3008]

Maybe Soundstage and 3d will be there after cap change?

[@k4syx]

@@ferryvandijk3008 it's there, just not to extent of Accu clone. But it's possible!

[@ferryvandijk3008]

@@k4syx thanks, i bought the power filter thank to your review. Like how you discribe the products and compaire.

[@k4syx]

@@ferryvandijk3008 Thanks!

[@chrishmeet]

Any good clone dac you would recommend?

[@k4syx]

@@chrishmeet I haven't reviewed any, so I cannot recommend anything at the moment

[@chrishmeet]

@k4syx tanks bro, look forward to your review, new subscriber here

[@k4syx]

@@chrishmeet Thanks!

[@gino3286]

Hi very interesting review indeed as usual I think that the difference in details you perceive could be coming from the different attenuator type used in the two preamps The blue pots are quite fine but nothing beats a network of good quality resistors I do not know how many sections the Accuphase volume control has But i would try a stepped attenuator in place of the rotary potentiometer A 4 sections stepped attenuator however comes very expensive The very good ones cost more than the preamp under test If you say that the 3D effect is better on the Accuphase for me this is very very telling Only the very best equipment provide a great 3D soundstage Is the evidence of amazing linearity even at low signal levels In conclusion my own guess is that the Accuphase is the better preamp circuit of the two Do you know if the Accuphase is also availabe in kit form maybe ? Thank you very much indeed Kindest regards gino

[@k4syx]

I haven't seen accu in diy kit :( Accu clone is very 3d like, and this one seems like more transparent (but this doesnt mean that accu is not transparent - these are details that are apparent when switching between two of them. I am really curious about pairing these preamps - all three of them - with E-405 clone thats on its way to me)

[@gino3286]

@@k4syx hi thank you very much for your kind and valuable reply I am pretty sure that a weak point in the Accuphase is its volume control Often the fact that is branded Alps does not ensure that it is a genuine part I did some test Even a cheap series attenuator was exceptional for detail I can assure you that was a enlightning experience The Accuphase circuit should be quite close to perfection For me the ability to render a great 3D soundstage is everything There are specific tracks to evaluate that but i am sure you know better than me In the end i am pretty sure that both must be fantastic Kind regards, gino

[@oscar4393]

Now everybody wants,needs balanced...

[@roberthart9886]

Ive been on a soapbox raving about true XLR kit for DECADES

[@jmbuchela5424]

You said this preamplifier is mono ? Ali Express says it is stereo, it does not say it is one channel only

[@k4syx]

Its dual mono, meaning that it is stereo but it has dual separate pathways for both channels

[@Christopher-l3l]

How can I contact you, please?

[@k4syx]

@@Christopher-l3l Just ask me here :)

[@Christopher-l3l]

@@k4syx We'd like to send you a product to test and try, are you interested?

[@AmazonasBiotop]

Thanks for the look! Regarding the smaller blue transformer. It is NOT the primery reason of it existence to give any sound quality improvements. This is a more normal and reqirued implementation today when you have remote and standby. Legislations requrie that power consumption have to be lower at stand by. So developers has implemented a smaller transformer with a relay (the light blue one) that cut out the two bigger transformers but consumes only small power that is needed to keep the IR alive to be able to switch it on by remote when it is in stand by. In the past without the little dark blue transformer then the unit needed to keep the power on the much bigger main transformers in stand by. When they draw more in stand by than a smaller transformer that gives us higher wattage drawn in stand by. That is the primary reason for its existens, and it is nice to see that they comply to the power regulations in stand by.

[@k4syx]

Yes - and addtitionally its nicely separated from audio paths

[@rontoolsie]

Years ago I was part of a listening panel during R&D of a stand alone phono stage...which needed maybe a 10VA transformer. One day we listened to the identical stage hooked up to different transformers...all the way from a 30VA to a 250VA. And every time a larger VA transformer was hooked up, the sound got better. Later on we tried a 500VA transformer and did not feel that the significant extra cost was worth it over the 250VA one. But the gap between a 50VA and a 250VA was huge.

[@AmazonasBiotop]

@@rontoolsie Yes, same here. I got a very nice RIAA and upgraded to more than twice as big transformer (R-core). But to be honest I did not hear any difference after the upgrade. The sonic hearing memory is short and it were not any fast A and B comparison.. But I guess it were not worse anyway. 😉

[@ufarkingicehole]

I would think at some point, these knock offs will be fantastic

[@k4syx]

Yeah they are using ideas with patents expired and since it has been a few years they can use better parts and sometime improve original designs. Kinda like business version of diyaudio forums ;)

[@razisn]

By default I would imagine that a cheap Chinese device branded 'Coldmund' would have NO genuine branded components in it..

[@k4syx]

Goldmund is a expensive brand, but it doesnt mean that the components inside (resistors, capacitors, all semiconductors) are somehow special and expensive. You're paying for the design and brand, parts are more or less the same - you can easily get them in many shops.

[@razisn]

@@k4syx You're responding to something I have never said... Pls. read again what I wrote.. A device called 'Coldmund' would almost by definition contain all fake components.. Fake Mundorfs, fake Nichikons, fake Wimas, any branded component will probably be fake.

[@jitrapornpha5104]

how would one know if they were genuine Mundorf's and Nichicons . If its coming out of china its more likely my mum is a virgin

[@k4syx]

These are either fakes or not. They are not exactly expensive even when buying in small amounts. But the worrying thing is you can get these on Ali. Anyway, it doesn't really matter because replacing these with locally sourced originals would be like 20USD here and it's 20-30 minute job. So, still outstanding value.